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By:
Ashkdokht Suren-Pahlav, Tehran
 LONDON,
(CAIS) - The sixth season of
archaeological excavation and restoration in Zahak castle
has ended with the discovery of a kingly residence.
"This
sixth season concentrated on the eastern part of the
castle in an area conversing 600 sq.m., which consists of
six trenches 10x10 meters in diameter", Javad Qandgar,
the director of archaeological team told news reporters.
“In
this season, we have continued last years’ research in
which we have discovered remains of various rooms,
hallways and architectural elements and murals belonging
to the Arsacid dynastic era”, Qandschi announced.
“After
the removal of debris from the rooms and hallways we start
recording the archaeological remains and drew a main plan
for the newly discovered site. Though, the architectural
materials, backed clay and stone which were used to
construct this section of the fort are the same as the
rest of the monument, the material, building style and the
stucco decorations are different”, he stated.
“The
gypsums that were used are of microlithic quality. The
decorations are refined and very detailed and have been
painted over in various colours, in contrast to the rest
of currently discovered stuccos in the castle” said
Qandgar.
He
continued, “we have also discovered mosaics covering
floors of the rooms, that require special recovery
procedure and repair, and due to the ending of this season
and harsh winter ahead we have postponed it for the next
archaeological season. At the moment we have covered them
with sifted sand, quoted over with a layer of cob (a
mixture of clay and straw) for protection”.
The
themes of the discovered murals and stuccos are
geometrical forms including the wheels of the Sun
(Swastika), plants and vegetation. Two of the stuccos
showing the Wheel of the Sun have been transferred to the
East Azarbaijan museum for restoration. At the same time
the restoration team have managed to restore a collapsed
stonewall located in the southern part of the castle known
as the Dokhtar fort.
“The
plan and style of the building as well as the decorations
and the plasterworks indicate that at the time of the
Arsacid dynasty it was occupied by the master of the
castle or was reserved for the imperial visit”, he
concluded.
Zahak
castle was one of the most important Parthian fortified
structures located in Hashtrud, in the East Azarbaijan
province.
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