Excavation at Tahyaq – A Subterranean Rock-Cut Architecture Complex in Khomein, Markazi Province, Iran

ABSTRACT

Subterranean rock-cut architecture is a known and frequently used type of architecture in Iran and the world. This type of architecture is documented with residential, defensive and ritual characteristics and was introduced and well studied in different parts of Iran. Recently, one of the such architectural features was excavated in the Tayhaq region of Markazi province in Iran. This subterranean rock-cut architecture was investigated in 2014. Apart from revealing various architectural spaces, its excavation provided important assemblages of small finds such as ceramic and metal vessels, gold personal ornaments, etc. The site was apparently in use only during the twelfth and thirteenth century AD before it was permanently abandoned. The main purpose of this paper is to provide a look into the excavated assemblages from the site.

KEYWORDS:

• Subterranean rock-cut architecture complex
• Islamic period
• Tahyaq
• Khomein

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Labs, “The Architectural Underground”; Sakr, “Learning Lessons from Matmata.”

2 Ashrafi, “Proceedings of the First Conference”; Ashrafi, “Proceedings of the Second International Conference.”

3 Mohammadifar and Hemati, “A Survey of Troglodyte Architecture in Iran.”

4 Sarokhani, “Report on the First Season of Excavations at Nushabad.”

5 Khaksar, “Report on the First Season of Excavations.”

6 Khaksar, “Report on the First Season of Excavations at Samen Subterranean Troglodyte.” Azandaryani, “An Analysis of the Subterranean Troglodyte Architecture in Hamadan Province.”

7 Montazer-Zohori, “Report on the First Season of Excavations at Robat-e Aghaj.”

8 Montazer-Zohori, “Report on the First Season of Excavations at Sefid-Shahr.”

9 Sanaei Kamal, “The Geophysical Report of Tahyaq Troglodyte,” 20.

10 Sharahi, “Report on the First Season of Excavations at Tahyaq Subterranean.”

11 Some of its open-mouthed vessels are paralleled in the excavated assemblages from Rayy dating to the Seljuk period (Treptow, Daily Life Ornamented the Mediaeval, 25).

12 Turquoise glaze inlaid ware has also been attested in excavations or surface surveys at Moshkuye of Zarandieh, Rayy, and Takht-e Soleiman and dated to the 12th-13th centuries AD (Hoseinzadeh, “The Ilkhanid Pottery from Takht-I Sulayman,” 113; Sedighian, “An Archaeological Survey of the Islamic Pottery,” 59; Treptow, Daily Life Ornamented the Mediaeval, 27); however, bronze colored inlay as pottery decoration is insofar unattested in the known assemblages, and therefore the attestation at Tahyaq is of particular significance.

13 The impressed pottery from Tahyaq closely resembles the Seljuk material from such centers as Nishapur, Moshkuye, and Rayy (Sedighian, “An Archaeological Survey of the Islamic Pottery,” 59; Treptow, Daily Life Ornamented the Mediaeval, 44; Wilkinson, Nishapur, 287).

14 It is a characteristic ware in the 12th-13th centuries AD, with its major production centers within Markazi Province at Moshkuye and Zolfabad (Nouri Shadmahani, “Reconstructing the Role of Moshkuye”; Sedighian, et al. “The Exploration of Zolfabad Site,” 135).

15 The designs on the related vessels include various types of geometric, floral and waterweed motifs applied to both interior and exterior surfaces. In addition, designs in dark azure paint outnumber those in black paint. The decorative technique generally prevailed in the 12th-13th centuries AD, and Kashan represents its principle known production center (Watson, Ceramics from Islamic Lands, 338–339).

16 The designs on the related vessels include various types of geometric, floral and waterweed motifs applied to both interior and exterior surfaces. In addition, designs in dark azure paint outnumber those in black paint. The decorative technique generally prevailed in the 12th-13th centuries AD, and Kashan represents its principle known production center (Watson, Ceramics from Islamic Lands, 338–339).

17 The technique generally prevailed in the latter half of the 12th century AD, possibly in Kashan (Watson, Ceramics from Islamic Lands, 333–334).

18 Watson, Ceramics from Islamic lands, 368.

19 The enameled wares were produced in the 12th-13th centuries AD, with their only known production center being Kashan (Watson, Ceramics from Islamic Lands, 364; Yazdani, Mina’i Ceramic Illustration and Inscriptions, 48–49).

20 Allan, Nishapur, 74–75.

21 Allan, Nishapur, 76, Fig 84–85.

22 Allan, Nishapur, 90–91, Fig 117–118; Fehervari, Metals Discovered from Robat, 103.

23 Allan, Nishapur, 88-89, Fig 112.

24 Ranjbar and Bayat, “An Analysis of Natural Risks,” 43.