Chartaqi structures are scattered all over Iran, and each is considered evidence of this land’s ancient civilization. With their simple but inspiring appearing, these chartaqi’s had both a ritual function and also used for observation. Their architecture is of great value, especially since many were built based on astronomical science and had a similar application. One of Iran’s quadrangular structures that are still standing is located in Qom province in Qom and is called “Kermejegan Chartaqi.”
Qom, with a civilization of several thousand years, was one of the first human settlements in the plateau of Iran. 30 km from the current city of Qom, there is a place called Kahak, with ancient historic background. Kahak is a foothill area with three sides facing the heights. In addition to the famous cave of Kahak, which has an ancient history, this city is famous for handicrafts such as ring making and morvarbafi (one of the types of basket weaving).
On the northern slopes of Kahak, there is a village called Kermejegan, whose historical relics and monuments are of the same age as those of Kahak. They have found settlements that belong to prehistoric humans and go back several million years ago. It is about 10 kilometers from Kohek to the old village of Kermejegan. In the northwest of the town, where an old cemetery is visible, you can see Kermejegan chartaqi. This structure is a survivor of the Sassanid period and is at least 2,000 years old. Archeologists have compared the Kermejegan Chartaqi with the famous Niasar chartaqi and found similarities.
The mentioned quadrangle has a square plan. The stones used in it have been polished to some extent, and plaster mortar and mortar have also been used in its construction. However, it is believed that the destructions that go back to the past few years have been done there. In addition, the chartaqi roof has not been spared from demolition and deliberate tampering.
Regarding the materials of this chartaqi and other four-story houses in Iran, it should be noted that their structure is different in most cases. In the facade of the structure, the carcasses of huge stones are used, as well as the rigid mortar that keeps the stones stable. It is also worth mentioning that Kermejegan chartaqi was registered in Iran’s list of national works in April 2003.
Chahartaqis are stable and basic structures in Iranian architecture and and known as a sign of the architectural art of our country. On this account, in June 2009, Iran presented a monument to the United Nations office in Vienna, which has the shape of a quadrangle, and in each corner and under each arch, there are figures of four wise Iranian scientists: Hakim Khayyam, Aburihan Biruni, Zakaria Razi and Poorsina can be seen.
Due to their importance, Iran’s surviving chartaqi’s need to be extensively restored, excavated by archeologists and other such measures. From an archeological point of view, these structures were built with discerning and indepth vision, and for multi-purposes, such as a road sign, for calendrical and astronomical usage. Most of these quadrangular structures were built on hilltops and ridges, and were also used for surveillance and guarding. In post-ancient periods of Iran, this form and design survived in Iranian architecture, and many structures were modeled based on this design. The chartaqi’s are built with basic materials so firmly that they still stand, despite all the neglect, and exhibit their ancient glory. Restoration of Iran’s chartaqi’s and their continuous maintenance can show our attention and respect for our valuable ancestral heritage. Kermejegan Chartaqi is one of those structures that, if it were cared for with compassion and heritage protection, would not have reached its current sad state!
