In the joint investigation of the Parthian and Sasanian area of “Viranshahr,” Iranian and French archaeologists found a memorial structure with religious or governmental use.
According to Isna, the fourth season of this exploration under the supervision of “Meysham Labbaf Khaniki” and “Rocco Rante” has been resumed in the area of Viranshahr, in the north of Faruj city, North Khorasan province, with the permission of the Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and Tourism. The archaeological excavations of this season, following the excavations of the previous seasons, focuses on the three areas of the western gate, the southern hill and the hill in the middle of Viranshahr.
In this regard, Labbaf Khaniki said: The archaeological survey and exploration of this site, which began in 2018, has shown that Viranshahr was inhabited in the Parthian and Sassanid eras, and in the Atrak valley area, it was a political and economic center.
The researches and investigations of Iranian and French archaeologists indicate that a defensive wall surrounded the settlement found with an area of 14 hectares, and there was another walled section in the northern corner, which is believed to have been the seat of the rulers of the settlement, like a citadel.
The head of the archeology board of Viranshahr also said: based on the examination of the remaining architecture and surface evidence, towers were cuboid towers were built at regular intervals along the wall, and small and large architectural structures were erected inside the area, which can be seen today as irregular mounds in the area.
Labbaf Khaniki stated that as a result of the excavation of the fourth chapter, the structure of a gate, like an entrance passage, was identified plus side towers in the shape of cuboid, and stated that the archaeological excavation in the southern hill showed that on this part of the site, there is a memorial structure of either religious or government use. Its walls were 3 m side and built of bricks.
He also said: “Speculation in the middle part of the Viranshahr area revealed architectural remains in this area.”
He continued: “The preliminary results of the fourth chapter of the Viranshahr site investigation show that this settlement was one of the most significant populated centers in the northeastern region of Iran due to the political and defensive importance of the Atrak valley in the Parthian and Sassanid periods and witnessed decisive historic events.”
Labbaf Khaniki said: “The continuation of excavations in this historical site will provide researchers with valuable information about the history of Iranian architecture as well as pottery traditions of Khorasan during this historic period.”
“Viranashahr” is one of the most valuable historical sites of Atrak Valley, which was also one of the most critical communication crossroads between the east and west, which has attracted the attention of archeologists for a long time. Italian archaeologists who identified this area before the revolution suggested a date equal to the Sassanid period.
Archaeological research in this historical site is defined as part of the joint activities of the University of Tehran with the Louvre Museum in Paris and started in 2018 and is carried out based on a five-year memorandum of understanding of the Cultural Heritage Research Institute of the country.
