Archaeological discoveries in Kohgiluyeh
The region of Kohgiluyeh, located in southwestern province of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, is of great historical and cultural importance. This region has witnessed the presence of various ethnic groups and cultures throughout different historical periods. However, its ancient and recent history remains largely unknown.
According to IRNA, this is due to various factors such as the mountainous terrain, natural erosion, and a lack of attention to archaeology in the region. The Kohgiluyeh region, centered around the city of Dehdasht, covers an area of approximately 4,850 square kilometers, and is situated in the south of Zagros and the west and northwest of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province.
Based on conducted research, this area has a long history of human settlement. The identified archaeological sites in this region indicate human presence from prehistoric periods to the Islamic period. According to the conducted surveys, it can be said that the Kohgiluyeh region possesses a considerable diversity of archaeological sites. These sites include various ancient structures such as mounds, caves, rock shelters, and public utilities like mills, bridges, and water reservoirs. These archaeological sites reflect the establishment and activities of human societies in this region from prehistoric times to the contemporary period.
The identification of the ancient and recent history of Kohgiluyeh can provide valuable insights into the history and culture of Iran. It can contribute to a better understanding of the historical and cultural developments of this region and Iran as a whole. Furthermore, the identification of Kohgiluyeh can aid in the preservation and revival of its historical and cultural heritage. This can also contribute to the development of tourism and the local economy.
Ancient mounds
A number of ancient mounds have been identified in the surveys conducted in this region. These mounds are scattered throughout different parts of the area and are natural. Ancient mounds are a type of archaeological site that formed due to the accumulation of cultural materials over time. These cultural materials can include architectural remains, tools, pottery, metal objects, and more.
In the Kohgiluyeh region, three ancient mounds have been identified, namely, Gerdou, Tang-e Kushk and Barfdoon. Due to unfavorable environmental conditions and the mountainous structure of the region, which affected the livelihoods of the communities, the formation of mounds resulting from settlement sediments is limited. Additionally, the mountainous structure of the Kohgiluyeh region restricts the formation of large and extensive mounds in this area. However, the presence of three ancient mounds in Kohgiluyeh indicates that this region also had human settlements in the past.
Caves
The caves are among the important ancient sites of this region that can provide valuable information about the history and culture of Kohgiluyeh. The natural caves of Kohgiluyeh are located at different altitudes in the mountains of this region.
These caves have different shapes and sizes and are also different in terms of their age. Studies conducted on the caves of Kohgiluyeh indicate that they have been used by humans in different historical periods. Cultural artifacts found in the caves of Kohgiluyeh include stone tools, pottery, and metal tools. Based on surface findings, the history of habitation in the caves of Kohgiluyeh most likely dates back to the prehistoric and early Neolithic periods, and the Ilamid and later Islamic periods.
Rock shelters
In total, eight rock shelters have been identified in the Kohgiluyeh region. These shelters are scattered across various parts of the region and include both fragmented rock shelters and natural rock shelters.
Public structures
In surveys conducted in the Kohgiluyeh region, 55 mills, four bridges, and two water reservoirs have been identified.
Mills
Mills were built next to permanent and seasonal rivers, streams, and waterways. According to available evidence, the distribution of mills is in areas where there were more favorable conditions for agricultural activities. The materials used to build these mills were mainly stone, adobe, and gypsum. According to local residents, most of these mills were used until the previous decades as well.
Bridges
Four bridges have been identified in the Kohgiluyeh region. The Marun River has always been a natural barrier to accessing the northern parts of the Kohgiluyeh region. For this reason, bridges have been built to facilitate access to these areas.
The identified bridges in the Kohgiluyeh region are built over Marun River. These bridges are made using stone, gypsum, and adobe and rely on the rock bed from one or both sides. Only a few remains of the foundations are left from the Marun River bridges. The most important of these bridges is the Qal’eh Dokhtar Bridge, which has architectural similarities to the Seljuk and Safavid period structures.
Water reservoirs
Two water reservoirs (ab-anbar) have been discovered in the Kohgiluyeh region, both of them were independently constructed using stone and adobe.
Houses of lords
In these surveys, 14 houses of lords with fortifications were identified. These houses belonged to the nobles of that region and the locals know them as “castles”. These houses are actually residential places. They are located in the rural areas of the region and are mostly scattered in the northern parts. These houses are usually made of stone and gypsum. Some of these houses have two floors.
Mountain fortresses
During excavations, 11 mountain fortresses were identified. These fortresses are located in the mountainous heights of the region and have complex architectural structures.
Religious buildings
In the Kohgiluyeh region, 15 religious buildings were identified. Based on their architectural structures and the collected pottery from the surrounding areas of some of the shrines, their history can be attributed to the middle and late Islamic centuries. Not all of these buildings are mausoleums, and some of them have different structures and appear to be older; they are exactly attributed to the Sassanid and Islamic eras.
Cemeteries
Seven cemeteries were identified in the region. These cemeteries are located in the mountainous slopes of the region and have simple architectural structures. They are usually made of stone and gypsum and have tombs with various coverings.
Cobblestone roads
Remnants of five cobblestone roads were identified. These roads are located on the communication routes of the region and are of great importance.
Rock carvings
In the surveys conducted in the Kohgiluyeh region, remnants of two rock carvings were identified. These rock carvings contain information about the history and culture of the region.
Belad-e Shapur
Belad-e Shapur is a significant ancient monument in Iran, located in the historical fabric of Dehdasht in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad. Its roots can be traced back to pre-Islamic times, but most of its remaining artifacts are from the Safavid period.
This valuable site holds immense historical, cultural, and touristic value, which can be harnessed as a vital resource for the economic and social development of the region.