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 Thanks
to laboratory examinations conducted by a research
team of experts, constituent elements of an
ancient mortar used during Sasanid dynasty around
1500 years ago, were unveiled.
Sasanid era, which is one of the most prominent of
Iranian history, is referred to an approximately
400-year period which is marked by the reign of
Sasanid Emperors. During this era numerous
important buildings and cities were constructed
around the Empire including some palaces, lots of
which still exist.
Amir Pirouz Daghoughi, head of Sarvestan palace
project said, “In cooperation with a team of
experts from the Research Centre for Preservation
of Historical Monuments and Contexts, we managed
to find out that the mortar used in Sasanid era
was composed of 98 percent of plaster and 2
percent of impurities consisting lime, wood
charcoal, and brownish mineral sand.”
“The resistance of this mortar is even more than
some hard materials like bricks. Moreover, similar
to concrete, the mortar’s resistance increase as
time passes,” he indicated.
A while ago, archaeologists working in Sarvestan
palace archaeological site unearthed the remains
of ancient gypsum quarries and old gypsum kilns
which were used in preparing the mortar.
Experts believe this new discovery can greatly
contribute to restoration works on Sasanid
monuments.
Previously, archaeologists had managed to discover
the method and procedure to make this mortar which
mixes raw, semi burnt, and burnt gypsum.
Being an archaeological complex now, Sarvestan
palace, topped with a brick dome which is now
considered to be the oldest of the kind in the
country, was built during the reign of Bahram Gur,
one of Sasanid king of kings.
Located in Fars province, south of Iran, this
palace is situated amid a plain 9 kilometers south
of Sarvestan town.
In the last 2 years, this palace has been the
subject of several researches, studies, and
excavation during which experts succeeded in
discovering monuments and architectural remains of
both Sasanid and Islamic era.
Besides its unique splendor in architecture, this
magnificent palace was also revered a sacred place
during Sasanid dynasty. The building of Sarvestan
palace consists of different parts including an
entrance porch, a dome, and a court yard. As
compared to other palaces and mansions of the same
time, this palace enjoys a more complicated and
advanced architectural plan.
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