Qadamgah (Persian: قدمگاه) or Chasht-Khor (چاشت خور) is an Achaemenidrock-cut monument at the southeastern part of the Kuh-e Rahmat mountain in Fars Province of Iran, about 40 km south of Persepolis. It consists of three platforms with rear walls and staircases, and features cavities on the back wall and a now-dry spring and pond at the bottom. Its function has been a matter of debate, with latest research pointing to a religious function related to the holy element Water.
Qadamgah, also transliterated as Kadam Gah (Persian: قدمگاهQadamgāh, Persian pronunciation:[ɢædæmˈgɒːh]), is the modern Persian word for "footprint". Another local name is Qadamgāh-e Ali (قدمگاه علی, literally "the footprint of Ali").[1] The structure is also called Īvān-e Qadmgāh (ایوان قدمگاه, literally "the iwan of Qadamgah").
The monument was first discovered by Capt. H. L. Wells (from the Royal Engineers) in 1881 who published a drawing of the plan and section of it, but did not describe it.[1] The structure and its purpose was later discussed by Forsat-od-Dowleh (1854–1920), Louis Vanden Berghe (1954), Giorgio Gullini (1964), Mohammad Taqi Mostafavi (1964), Calmeyer (1975), Rémy Boucharlat (1979), Kleiss (1993), and Jean-Claude Bessac (2007).[2]
Descriptionedit
The right-hand staircase and one of the holes (in foreground)
The structure has been built by cutting two deep terraces vertically from the top of the rocky limestone slope, forming three superimposed platforms with vertical rear walls. The monument lacks any built structures. Underneath the lower terrace there has been a now-dry spring feeding a pool which overlooked the monument. The terraces are 13.50 metres (44.3 ft) wide. The lower terrace is 3 metres (9.8 ft) above the ground. The upper terrace, which is 4.25 metres (13.9 ft) higher, is linked to the lower one by two rock-cut staircases on the sides. Three rows of five shallow cavities have been cut in rectangular form into the back wall above the upper terrace. Several shallow, hemispherical holes are also cut along the edge of the upper terrace.[1][3]
Purposeedit
The structure dates back to the Achaemenid or post-Achaemenid period. Several hypotheses have been proposed for its function, including an unfinished Royal tomb (it is compared to the two tombs near Persepolis; the construction would have been abandoned like the so-called "unfinished tomb of Darius III" at Persepolis South), a funerary function (with the cavities functioning as a place for bones (astōdān)), or a cultural function.[1] Later observations suggest the work was finished, and the cavities were likely covered with hypothetical stone slabs (which may have contained inscriptions or reliefs for aesthetic purposes). Latest research by Jean-Claude Bessac favors a "cultic function related to water" (Aban) and the presence of the spring and the pool, and dismisses the funerary function. This would make Qadamgah a unique Achaemenid cultic place known to the date.[1][4] There are also cuneiform clay-tablets in the Persepolis Administrative Archives with possible references to this site.[5][1]
Current statusedit
The monument is fragile and is slowly decaying. The only published drawing of the plan and section of the monument is that of H. L. Wells. Rémy Boucharlat in Encyclopædia Iranica advises "a complete and careful survey ... and some excavation at its foot".[1]
See alsoedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Qadamgah (Achaemenid monument).
^ abحسینی, سید علیمحمد. . www.parstourguides.ir (in Persian). انجمن صنفی راهنمایان ایرانگردی و جهانگردی استان فارس. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
^Bessac, J.-C. (1 January 2007). "Étude technique et interprétations du monument rupestre de Qadamgah (Fars)". Iranica Antiqua. 42: 185–206. doi:10.2143/IA.42.0.2017875.
^"بررسی محوطه هخامنشی قدمگاه ارسنجان (فارس) و مقایسه آن محوطه های همزمان همان منطقه" 2017-07-28 at the Wayback Machine, thesis
January 01, 1970
qadamgah, ancient, site, qadamgah, persian, قدمگاه, chasht, khor, چاشت, خور, achaemenid, rock, monument, southeastern, part, rahmat, mountain, fars, province, iran, about, south, persepolis, consists, three, platforms, with, rear, walls, staircases, features, . Qadamgah Persian قدمگاه or Chasht Khor چاشت خور is an Achaemenid rock cut monument at the southeastern part of the Kuh e Rahmat mountain in Fars Province of Iran about 40 km south of Persepolis It consists of three platforms with rear walls and staircases and features cavities on the back wall and a now dry spring and pond at the bottom Its function has been a matter of debate with latest research pointing to a religious function related to the holy element Water QadamgahقدمگاهQadamgah monumentShown within IranAlternative nameChasht KhorLocationKuh e Rahmat mountain north of Chasht Khvor village Arsanjan County Fars Province IranCoordinates29 44 2 508 N 53 12 44 0568 E 29 73403000 N 53 212238000 E 29 73403000 53 212238000TypeMonument of probable cultic functionLength20 30 metres 66 6 ft Width13 50 metres 44 3 ft Height16 50 metres 54 1 ft HistoryPeriodsAchaemenid or post AchaemenidCulturesPersianSite notesDiscovered1881Excavation datesNoneConditionDecayingManagementCultural Heritage Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of IranPublic accessyesArchitectureArchitectural stylesAchaemenid Contents 1 Name 2 Early studies 3 Description 4 Purpose 5 Current status 6 See also 7 ReferencesName editQadamgah also transliterated as Kadam Gah Persian قدمگاه Qadamgah Persian pronunciation ɢaedaemˈgɒːh is the modern Persian word for footprint Another local name is Qadamgah e Ali قدمگاه علی literally the footprint of Ali 1 The structure is also called ivan e Qadmgah ایوان قدمگاه literally the iwan of Qadamgah Another name is Chasht Khar چاشت خوار or چاشتخوار tʃɒːʃtˈxɒːɾ or Chasht Khor چاشت خور or چاشتخور tʃɒːʃtˈxoɾ which is also the name of the village nearby 2 Early studies editExternal images nbsp Plan of Qadamgah by Wells a nbsp Plan of Qadamgah by Wells b The monument was first discovered by Capt H L Wells from the Royal Engineers in 1881 who published a drawing of the plan and section of it but did not describe it 1 The structure and its purpose was later discussed by Forsat od Dowleh 1854 1920 Louis Vanden Berghe 1954 Giorgio Gullini 1964 Mohammad Taqi Mostafavi 1964 Calmeyer 1975 Remy Boucharlat 1979 Kleiss 1993 and Jean Claude Bessac 2007 2 Description edit nbsp The right hand staircase and one of the holes in foreground The structure has been built by cutting two deep terraces vertically from the top of the rocky limestone slope forming three superimposed platforms with vertical rear walls The monument lacks any built structures Underneath the lower terrace there has been a now dry spring feeding a pool which overlooked the monument The terraces are 13 50 metres 44 3 ft wide The lower terrace is 3 metres 9 8 ft above the ground The upper terrace which is 4 25 metres 13 9 ft higher is linked to the lower one by two rock cut staircases on the sides Three rows of five shallow cavities have been cut in rectangular form into the back wall above the upper terrace Several shallow hemispherical holes are also cut along the edge of the upper terrace 1 3 Purpose editThe structure dates back to the Achaemenid or post Achaemenid period Several hypotheses have been proposed for its function including an unfinished Royal tomb it is compared to the two tombs near Persepolis the construction would have been abandoned like the so called unfinished tomb of Darius III at Persepolis South a funerary function with the cavities functioning as a place for bones astōdan or a cultural function 1 Later observations suggest the work was finished and the cavities were likely covered with hypothetical stone slabs which may have contained inscriptions or reliefs for aesthetic purposes Latest research by Jean Claude Bessac favors a cultic function related to water Aban and the presence of the spring and the pool and dismisses the funerary function This would make Qadamgah a unique Achaemenid cultic place known to the date 1 4 There are also cuneiform clay tablets in the Persepolis Administrative Archives with possible references to this site 5 1 Current status editThe monument is fragile and is slowly decaying The only published drawing of the plan and section of the monument is that of H L Wells Remy Boucharlat in Encyclopaedia Iranica advises a complete and careful survey and some excavation at its foot 1 See also edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Qadamgah Achaemenid monument Temples of Anahita Anahita Mithra Naqsh e Rostam PasargadaeReferences edit a b c d e f g Boucharlat R 19 May 2014 QADAMGAH Encyclopaedia Iranica Online Retrieved 14 July 2017 a b حسینی سید علیمحمد بنای صخره ای قدمگاه چاشت خور ارسنجان www parstourguides ir in Persian انجمن صنفی راهنمایان ایرانگردی و جهانگردی استان فارس Archived from the original on 17 August 2017 Retrieved 14 July 2017 Qadamgah Livius Retrieved 14 July 2017 Bessac J C 1 January 2007 Etude technique et interpretations du monument rupestre de Qadamgah Fars Iranica Antiqua 42 185 206 doi 10 2143 IA 42 0 2017875 بررسی محوطه هخامنشی قدمگاه ارسنجان فارس و مقایسه آن محوطه های همزمان همان منطقه Archived 2017 07 28 at the Wayback Machine thesis Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Qadamgah ancient site amp oldid 1195089300, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
