The fifth season of archaeological excavations in the historical region of “Bazehur” focused on continuing excavations in Ghal-e Dokhtar (castle) of Robat Sefid Village, which led to the discovery of a valuable collection of plaster casts from the Sassanid period.
According to the Mehr news agency and according to the public relations of the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Research Institute, Meysam Labaf Khaniki, Associate Professor of the Department of Archeology of the University of Tehran and Head of the Archeology Board, said: “When this chapter of archeological excavations, aiming at identifying the use of the architectural complex in Pol-e Dokhtar and determining longevity of the site and its remains was approved by the research institute, it led to the discovery of important relics from the civilization of Khorasan before Islam.”
He added: “Among the most important discoveries of the excavation in Dokhtar Castle, we can mention a valuable collection of Sassanid era plasters decorated with geometric, plant, and human figures, which opens a new chapter in the history of Sassanid Iranian art.”
This archeologist said: “As a result of this season’s excavations it was also clarified that the architectural complex was a huge fire temple from the Parthian and Sassanid period, consisting of a brick arch and a pillared hall.”
Labaf Khaniki pointed out that each of the columns of this hall was decorated with exquisite stucco and capitals in the shape of a palm tree above each column and added that the walls of the different spaces in the fire temple were decorated with stucco using different themes, and the side spaces with paintings on the walls.
The head of the archeology board added: “The discovery of several clay seals from this complex shows the organized administrative activities in this religious complex, and the use of optimal materials and decorations shows the importance of this complex to the Sassanid central government.”
He stated that based on the research done in the field of historical geography, Baseh-hur was located in Bast province, and this area corresponds to an area called Posht, in the Sassanid period, and added that Posht Province, known as Posht Goshtaspan in religious texts, was the location of one of the three essential fires of the Sassanid period, which has been introduced under the name of Azarbarzin Mehr.
The archeologist added: “Discoveries of symbols of Izad Mehr (deity) such as broken crosses, peacock tail motifs, numerous figures of rams, as well as findings from the direct supervision and management of the Sassanid central government in the fire temple of Bazeh-hur fortress strengthen the possibility that this fire temple is identical with Azari Barzin Mehr.”
In conclusion, Labaf Khaniki said: “Following the latest decisions of the council of deputies and the protection unit of the General Department of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Razavi Khorasan Province, Bazehur historical complex has benefited from physical protection and action is being taken to organize and transform this complex into a museum site. This is in the agenda.”
