15 Sasanid Castles Identified in Bastak - CAIS Archaeological & Cultural News of Iranian World©

LONDON, (CAIS) -- Archaeologists succeeded in discovering 15 ancient castles dating back to the Sasanid dynastic era (224–651 CE) in the city of Bastak in the southern Iranian province of Hormozgan.

“The architectural styles of these castles and the material used in their constructions as well as the pottery shreds found in the area together with other archaeological findings confirm that these monuments must have been constructed during the Sasanid dynastic era,” said Ali Asadi, head of the excavation team at the city of Bastak.

“These castles were not very big in size, and it seems that they had been built as garrison posts” added Asadi.

In addition, archaeologists were able to find four other relatively larger castles with complex architectural style near other castles found in Bastak. “Nearby castles contained residential areas which were probably residence to civilians who either lived or worked there. One of the major features of the discovered castles is the existence of at least one water reservoir in each of them. The number of these water reservoirs reach to three or four in some larger castles. Since marine trade was very important during the Sasanid period, these bigger castles probably played as defensive role during that time built to protect trade routes which connected to Bastak from the Persian Gulf,” explained Asadi.

During their excavations in the city of Bastak, archaeologists also found several ancient sites in mountain-skirts and plains of the city which go back to the Sasanid dynasty as well and show that Bastak was a flourished city during that time. Studies on these sites also resulted in the discovery of a forgotten Sasanid city with a 40 hectare area.