Footprints of Seljuk era in Rey commercial-cultural complex

EghtesadOnline: Significant remains of the Seljuk era have been unearthed in this season of explorations, head of the archeological explorations teams in the Rey Commercial-Cultural Complex adjacent to the historic Tughrul Tower said.

News ID: ۷۷۳۴۹۳

25 January 2017

The Public Relations Office of the Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and Tourism (RICHT), quoted Morteza Adibzadeh as saying that in this season of explorations reference can be made to the structure of a large wall which depicts a regular collection of architectural spaces.

According to IRNA, he further remarked that the wall has been built with materials such as stones and plaster in the foundation part and brick in upper part, adding that so far over 50 meters of the wall has been identified in the explorations and possibly it will continue in the same direction towards the Tughrul Tower.

'In the explorations, huge piles of bricks and other rubble heaps have been discovered in workshops which, with regard to the severity of destruction and other information obtained could be an evidence of the earthquake in the 571 Hegira,' Adibzadeh said.

He added that in addition to the architectural remains dating back to the Seljuk era, a large volume of pottery belonging to the Middle Islamic ages in different varieties has been discovered and is under documentation.

The archaeologist, referring to the fact that so far no information was available on the status of the surrounding environment of the Tughrul Tower in the Seljuk era, expressed hope that survey and analysis of the discovered architectural remains in the complex will put highly valuable information about the architectural texture of the Tughrul Tower at the disposal of archaeologists.

According to him, given the large extent of the enclosure, it should be further explored in future seasons and at present the discovered remains have been protected and surrounded in the area to be repaired in case the required credit is supplied.

Referring to the placement of the Rey Commercial-Culture Complex in the southern side of the historic Tughrul Tower and identification of Islamic architectural remains in the aftermath of excavation in the place, Adibzadeh said after the initial documentation it was assumed that the obtained remains would belong to the Seljuk era and were simultaneous with the building of the Tughrul Tower. Therefore, after the required credit was supplied, emergency explorations started in the middle of the calendar month of Azar (November/December) in a certain part of the Rey Commercial-Cultural Complex upon a permission received from the Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and Tourism (RICHT).

It should be noted that on the basis of the writings of the Iranian historians and geographers, the historic city of Rey in 571 Hegira was destroyed and as a result abandoned due to an earthquake and in the Safavid era was once again revived.