برگرفته از کتاب «The Sun in Tetrapylons» (خورشید در چارتاقی) به زبان انگلیسی در معرفی ملاحظات خورشیدی نویافته در چارتاقیهای ایرانی و رومی و پیوند آنها با زمان و تغییرات میل خورشید، ۱۳۹۴، از همین نگارنده.
A Report on Discovering the Relationship between Tetrapylons, Time and Variation in the Declination of the Sun
Reza Moradi Ghiasabadi
October 25, 2015
Ghiasabadi, Reza M., “The Sun in Tetrapylons: A Report on Discovering the Relationship between Tetrapylons, Time and Variation in the Declination of the Sun”, traslated by Bahareh Eskandari, Persian Studies, Tehran, 2015, ISBN: 978-964-6303-50-8.
Translator’s Preface
Reza Moradi Ghiasabadi is a well-known Iranian researcher with a novel insight into History and Archaeology. After becoming familiar with his works, I asked him to let me translate the report of one of his research projects explaining his theory on the functionality of the Persian tetrapylons as solar structures. This theory has been confirmed by some experts and many evidences, validating it, have been found. The first part of this book is the translation from the last Persian edition of the book The Persian Tetrapylons published in 2010. The second part of this book is published herein for the first time except Chapter 13, Heidentor Tetrapylon, which has been published as a paper in Journal of Persia Digest (2012).
Ghiasabadi begins The Persian Tetrapylons with an old poem: “That building on the hillside is a place for time and time measurement.” This poem is from Shahnameh, authored by Ferdowsi, who is the greatest Persian epic poet in the tenth century AD. Ferdowsi narrates the ancient historical-storied events of Iranian people in Shahnameh. Ferdowsi quotes the mentioned poem from Zal, who is a Persian mythological character whose functions relate to the time and Zurvan. In fact, Ghiasabadi starts his book with a thousand-year-old poem which describes a building on a hillside with calendrical functionality, so this poem can be an allegory of a tetrapylon.
The book mentions to the terms of Mithra and Zurvan. For non-Persian-speaking readers, these two terms are defined here.
Zurvan in the Avestan language (one of the old Iranian languages) means time. Afterwards, this term became a name for the great god who is the creator of the universe. Saturn was referenced as the embodiment of Zurvan. The Saturn’s Greek name Cronus or Kronos is also associated with the time and its concept.
Ghiasabadi believes that the original concept of Mithra refers to the ecliptic pole, Pole Star, and consequently to the eternal light; however, the eternal light became equivalent to the sun as the great god and the creator. Mithra was the great god of Mithraism which was common in Persia and Roman about two thousand years ago. Beliefs and customs in Mithraism had crucial influences on Christianity such as using the red color, Cedrus, and star as sacred signs; celebrating Christmas which coincides with the winter solstice and the new year; and becoming the shape of the cross (which results from rotating constellations of Ursa Major and Ursa Minor known as the Chariot of Mithra) as the Cross of Jesus.
On behalf of Ghiasabadi, this book is dedicated to all those interested in archaeological Persian researches.
Bahareh Eskandari
March 2014
Contents
Part I) The Persian Tetrapylons
1) Preface to the First Part
2) The Tetrapylon: Definition, Types, and Scattering
3) Niasar Tetrapylon
4) Botkhaneh Tetrapylon
5) Nevis Tetrapylon
6) Kheyrabad Tetrapylon
7) Kermejegan Tetrapylon
8) Kahak Tetrapylon
9) Khworabad Tetrapylon
10) Khaneh-e Div Tetrapylon
11) Photos of Some Other TetrapylonsPart II) The Roman Tetrapylons
12) Preface to the Second Part
13۱۳) Heidentor Tetrapylon
14) Caparra Tetrapylon
15) Janus Tetrapylon
16) Malborghetto TetrapylonAppendix
Preface to the First Part: The Persian Tetrapylons
This book reports the discovered relationships between tetrapylns, time, calendars, the sun, and the variation in the declination of the sun which are based on field studies and tangible observations. In the science of Archaeoastronomy*, the buildings with such characteristics are called solar observatory or solar structures (calendar buildings) in English and kalenderbauten in German. In Persian language, a tetrapylon is called chartaqi or chahartaqi meaning a building with four arches. In addition, there are some Persian names e.g. Mehrbin (means the place to see Mehr), Khwarbin (means the place to see the sun), and Bazeh-e Hur (means an opening for the sun), which they have been used to call these buildings for centuries and are known in the Persian language. It is possible that these appellations are ancient names with forgotten meanings for solar structures.
*Archaeoastronomy is a new interdisciplinary science which involves archaeology, astronomy, anthropology, and ethnology. This science deals with the influence of sky phenomena and movement of astronomical objects on arts, rituals, religions, beliefs and other cultural events of ancient people. Archaeoastronomy has different branches and scientific fields such as cosmological, mythology ethnoastronomy, and astronomical architectonics. Studies on calendar systems, time measurement and astronomical instruments of the ancient world are also other fields of studies in archaeoastronomy.
In some types of tetrapylons, the orientation and shape of the building, the ratio of the length of pillars to the distance between them, and the angles between pillars make the rays of sunlight shine on particular directions of the building at specific times of the year at sunrise and sunset. These rays create shade at individual points inside the structure and some of them identifying important temporal events are seen between pillars.
Since 1993, starting archaeoastronomical researches, I have studied approximately 50 tetrapylons in order to investigate the possible relationships between the variation in the sun’s declination and calendrical functionality of the tetrapylons. In 1995, Niasar Tetrapylon as the most intact tetrapylon in Iran was selected to focus for field studies. In subsequent years, Nevis and Botkhaneh Tetrapylons were also chosen for this purpose.
Over the past years, the necessary measurements for horizon were examined, and it was tried to compare the crucial directions of tetrapylons to the variation in the sun’s declination. Initial calculations, field studies, and annual multiple trips were the necessities of this research project, which reaching reliable conclusions lasted over eight years and its studies still continue.
So far, the way the tetrapylons have been built, and the principles used in their construction have been known relatively. These principles rely on time, solar annual motion, and variation in the declination of the sun. Although we are aware of the capability of tetrapylons as solar structures and indicators to measure time or record ritual time, there are still many unknowns about how tetrapylons operate for measuring the time, so clarifying the ambiguities needs many years to be solved.
Today not only the sightlines of the sunrise and sunset in the summer and winter solstice with an accuracy of about one degree, but also several other sightlines with a lower accuracy have been measured in Niasar Tetrapylon. Studies and annual observations are being pursued in the Niasar, Nevis, Botkhaneh Tetrapylons, and some similar tetrapylons in different parts of Iran to examine directions more precisely, find significant points in the solar motion on the horizon and their possible relationships with the tetrapylons, study to know calendar systems at the time of constructing the tetrapylons, and most of all to consider the possibility of directions relative to ritual moments and ancient ceremonies especially in connection with Zurvanism and Mithraism.
Nowadays, there are serious concerns over deteriorating conditions of some tetrapylons in Iran and Niasar Tetrapylon as well. As a result, if this important tetrapylon is damaged severely, there is not another building that can be replaced.
This book solely describes the calendrical features and solar indicators of tetrapylons; therefore, the book does not include other possible functions of tetrapylons due to the deficiency in written sources or observed evidences. There are speculations that these types of buildings functioned as temples of the sun, Mithraic temples, or temples of Zurvan; however, these assumptions cannot be propagated until a few evidences are found. In addition, it was not heard convincing folk tales among people’s beliefs and narratives.
For ages, there has been a wrong or at least not proven statement, which calls the Persian tetrapylons as fire temples. This is a claim that archaeological evidences still have not been found in any tetrapylons in Iran to attest it. Furthermore, these buildings which are usually located in remote parts of the country do not have doors, walls and private areas; consequently, it seems that the design of tetrapylons does not fit to be fire temples. In fact, there is not any contradiction between what has been discussed in this book on calendrical characteristics of tetrapylons and other possible functions of tetrapylons such as being temples, fire temples, etc. Furthermore, the term tetrapylon (chartaqi in Persian) indicates the shape of these buildings, but not their functions.
My reports with regard to the functions of tetrapylons as solar structures and indicators have been published in different papers, conference proceedings, and interviews (e.g. Press conference, University of Tehran, 1999; Avesta in the History and Culture of Central Asia, Tajikistan, 2001; The First National Congress on Iranian Studies, Tehran, 2002) in Persian, English, and Russian. In addition, the reports have been broadcast on several radio and TV programs.
The following books: The Calendar System of Persian Tetrapylons (2001), The Calendar Buildings in Iran (2004), and Persian Tetrapylons (2010) have been published on tetrapylons and their calendrical functions.
The Tetrapylon: Definition, types, and scattering
A tetrapylon is a type of building of a cubic shape with a square base. It consists of four pillars, four arches and a dome which is constructed by four squinches.
Tetrapylons have both a specific and general definition. In the specific definition, tetrapylons are unique individual buildings with approximately 2000 years old. They can be seen in different parts of Iran and as mentioned before are known by the terms of chartaqi or chahartaqi. Persian tetrapylons are independent large buildings without other architectural elements. They do not have surrounding walls and even doors and windows.
Tetrapylons are generally located in the western half of Iran, central and southwestern provinces, and especially in the south of Fars Province, but the scattering of the tetrapylons in the eastern half of Iran is very limited.
On the contrary, there are other types of buildings, which are confused with unique tetrapylons with the specific definition because of many similarities to each other. Although these buildings in appearance resemble the tetrapylons, there are significant differences between them. These quasi-tetrapylons which are simple small constructions, have ususally been built in recent centuries. They have been established as architectural canopies, garden homes, mausoleum tombs, and other ordinary uses. Moreover, in cities of Ardestan, Zavareh, and some others located in southern parts of the central desert area, windcatchers that resemble the tetrapylons are constructed on roofs and are called chartaq.
In general definition, the tetrapylon refers to an architectural style. In this style, the central part of a building that consists of four pillars, and four arches is known as the chartaqi or chartaq architectural style. This type of buildings is seen in many ancient structures such as palaces, mosques, shrines, temples, churches, etc. that the design of their central areas falls under the Chartaq architectural style.
It is necessary to mention that the central parts of some quasi-tetrapylons were really the unique tetrapylons which have been expanded over years, and other buildings have been added to them. The number of these evolved tetrapylons is great, and it is difficult to identify them easily because the main parts of the tetrapylons have been changed due to newer constructions and added architectural elements. (For example, refer to Kahak Tetrapylon in this book).
Preface to the Second Part: The Roman Tetrapylons
Since ten years ago, I have conducted comprehensive studies on the Persian tetrapylons such as Niasar, Botkhaneh, Nevis, Kheyrabad, Kahak, Khaneh-e Div, Kermejegan, Khworabad Tetrapylons, as well as about twenty others. These studies remove the veil of mystery from the features of the Persian tetrapylons and the principles used in their construction. As mentioned before, these principles are relevant to time, the solar annual motion, and the variation in the sun’s declination. Consequently, we recognized the functionality and potential of the tetrapylons as solar structures and solar indicators to measure time or record ritual time in the structure.
Calling the Persian tetrapylons as fire temples was like a dark screen that prevented more necessary researches and access to realities; therefore, researchers were greatly misled. In 2001, I proposed this theory that the Persian tetrapylons should be studied in terms of solar investigations and their possible relationships with the solar annual motion. The theory was a novel view which revealed observable facts on tetrapylons and made a new insight into all ancient buildings.
In recent years, some people who are interested in Persian archaeoastronomy and solar structures followed up this new insight with my cooperation and supervision. Meanwhile, these researchers could achieve satisfactory results, so they try to complete their studies with patience and perseverance.
During the studies, some questions appeared about the existence of similar tetrapylons out of the Territories of the Persian’s civilization and culture, particularly in the Roman Empire, so if there are such buildings, they have been constructed under the effects of Persian science and culture or vice versa?
A friend of mine Reza Assasi who is a PhD student in architecture in McGill University, selected the mentioned questions as the topics for his PhD research project based on studying the remaining structures of the ancient Roman Empire. He performed comprehensive studies and sent a lot of information. After communicating our ideas, we succeeded in getting good results.
Our researches show that there is a strong connection (with high accuracy) between the solar situation and Roman tetrapylons. On the contrary, the mentioned connection was not identified in the Roman triumphal arches; however, a weak relationship, which needs more extensive studies and bigger statistical populations, may exist between some Roman triumphal arches.
Today after identifying some western tetrapylons remaining from the Roman Empire and civilization, we assert that the first group of tetrapylons with calendrical functionality have been certainly identified in Europ and Mediterranean region, so our research on more tetrapylons continues.
I believe that as Persian tetrapylons helped to realize more knowledge on the Roman tetrapylons, special characteristics of the Roman tetrapylons can also help to discover unknown information about the Persian tetrapylons.
I am pleased that in the tenth anniversary of publishing the theory of solar relationships in the Persian tetrapylons, the initial report on the Roman tetrapylons is published herein.
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