Valid Cultural foundations in the formation of rock-cut architecture in Iran (With an emphasis on the recognition of the Meymand World Heritage Complex, Shahre Babak)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Restoration of historical buildings, Architecture,Urbanism and Art faculty, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

2 Department of Architectural Conservation - Faculty of Art & Architecture - Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman

10.22103/jic.2024.23062.1300

Abstract

Mithraism is one of the ancient ideas of Iran, which has had a cultural impact on popular culture, art, architecture, and other rituals. This religion, which originated in India, evolved in Iran, went to the West, and had effects on Christianity at its beginning in Asia Minor. Religious buildings in this ritual are called Mehrabeh (Mithraeum), which were usually hidden in mountains. Based on the sanctity of stone in this ritual, they try to design these buildings in the mountains according to specific concepts. The question is, what are the features of this religion that can be found in its architecture and where can these examples be found? Since rock-cut architecture is a type of vernacular architecture that is most closely related to Mithraism, the Meymand World Heritage Complex was selected as a case. In an interpretative-historical process, sources were studied in the field of knowledge of the Mehr ritual, and examples were examined based on the findings. The most important examples of the existence of this idea in the architecture of this place were the special design of the two historic baths in Meymand and the Pish-Osta temple, which were close to other similar examples. Also, what has been going on in the livelihood system in the past, such as subordination to the livelihood norms and the economic system of husbandry or the special rituals of life, have traces of the philosophical thinking of this religion. Cognition of these issues opens the way for more extensive and specific research.

Keywords

References

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