Newly Uncovered Architecture of the Sassanid Era in the Damavand Region

During two seasons of archaeological excavations on the historical site of Veliran of Damavand, some structural remnants dating to the Sassanid period were identified. The structure consists of a tower and a rampart, as well as several rooms organized on the two sides of a passage. The architectural findings in the archeological site of Veliran help us know the Damavand region as it was during the Sassanid period, and in a broader sense, contribute to our knowledge on defensive/military architecture as well as the political and social structures of the Sassanid era. The significance of this study is that only limited excavations and studies of the castles of the Sassanid era has been carried out to date, and very little information is available regarding their architecture and construction system. Damavand area has been important in terms of geographical location and communication throughout history, especially during the Parthian and Sassanid periods. This area was located at the crossroads of Tabarestan, Rey, and Qumes, and has always been among the most important cultural centers. The study of the architecture of the historic Veliran site can compensate for our little knowledge of Sassanid-era architecture in the northern territories of the state. The present paper seeks to identify the function and the time of construction of this complex through a descriptive-analytical method, while introducing the architecture and architectural features uncovered at the historical site. The results of this research show that the architecture is that of a castle built in the late Sassanid period. It was used as food storage and warehouse of goods, and most probably was destroyed in the early Islamic period.