Speculation of Lambsar fortress of Alamut, known in historical writings as the key to the castles of Gilan, was carried out to preserve and restore this historical monument. Previously, the explorations of this area had led to the discovery of single-color tiles.
As reported by ILNA and the public relations of the research institute of cultural heritage and tourism, Kambiz Kabiri, head of the archeology team, said: The ancient and famous fortress of ” Lambsar” with a height of 1225 meters above sea level, is three kilometers northeast of Razmian city, the center of Alamut district, and in the west of the deep valley of the region, Ninehroud (a Shahrud distributory.
He pointed out that lambsar fortress, being the quarters of the deputy governor and/or the winter quarters of the Alamut fortress, with more than 6 hectares span, is considered as the largest fortress in the Alamut region, and added: “Access to the fortress is through two gates: the north-eastern gate with a very high and steep slope, to keep the fort safe from attacks, and the south-western gate with a guard’s room and a resting quarters.”
The archeologist added: “During the Islamic era and the reign of Hassan Sabbah two tribes resided in Lambsar fortress; Rashamowj and Lambsar. The leader of the Ismailis sent a large group of devotees led by Kia Bozorg Omid Rudbari, to conquer the fortress in 489 AH. Kia Bozorg (Kia the great) lived in the fortress for 20 years, and after the death of Hassan, he became the successor and ruler of the Alamut fortress.”
Kabiri said: During the 170 years of the Ismaili rule in Alamut, Lambsar fortress, which is also known as the “key to the castles of Gilan” in historical writings, had a special place in the central Alborz region until after the collapse of Alamut fortress and its conquest by Hulagu Khan. The fortress resisted the attack and siege for a year and a half, but finally, due to the spread of cholera among the inhabitants of the fortress, it fell to the Tatars in 655 AH.
The head of the archeology team continued: This fort underwent archeological excavation for the first time in 2018 by Hamideh Chubak, head of the Alamut base, and from the results it was possible to identify barracks, and several cultural artifacts from Ismaili period upto the Sadat Marashi period and the beginning of Safavid period. Including a small piece of metal from the Ismaili period called “Qutb,” which is one of the components of the astrolabe.
Referring to the defensive towers, which are other elements of the Lambsar architecture, Kabiri reminded: “Although the round towers of this fort are in ruins, they still dominate the surrounding valleys, and southern plains and the slopes of the fort.”
The head of the archeology board added: “On this basis, the [purpose of this season’s excavations of Lambsar fortress in trench E31, is identification and readability of the damaged eastern tower, structural research, strengthening the foundation and reusing the rolled stones in the restoration of its damaged parts.
In conclusion, he said: “Among the results of this season, we can mention identification of an adobe wall with a stone foundation behind the aforementioned circular tower, along with the acquisition of some sgraffito pottery (pottery with a carved pattern in flower) and monochromatic tiles (turquoise, light blue)., white and black) remaining from the middle Islamic period.”
