RICHT quoted head of the speculation team, Saeed Shahbaz, as saying Chahar Bagh is one of the main and historical streets in Isfahan which is located between Darvazeh Dolat and Sio-Se Pol and is divided into two sections of Upper Chahar Bagh and Chahar Bagh Abbasi.
He cited the construction date of Chahar Bagh, based on Tarikh-e Alamara-Ye Abbasi (History of Shah Abbas), the lunar year 1006, saying that each of the gardens surrounding Chahar Bagh had a specific name, according to IRNA.
Shahbaz stated that the most famous of these gardens, according to the French traveler Chardin, are Baghe Takht, Baghe Chehelsoton, Baghe Kaaj, Baghe Ba Amir, Baghe Toupkhaneh, Baghe Nastaran, Baghe Fathabad, Baghe Pahlavan Hossein, Baghe Bolbol, Baghe Morghdaran, Baghe Khaneh Shiran, Baghe Hezar Jarib, Baghe Daravish Heydari and Baghe Daravish Nematollahi.
The archaeologist further remarked that by taking advantage of the descriptive-historic method and comparing ancient illustrated documents all the questions about the gardens and palaces of the Safavid era will be answered.
He referred to the protection of the architecture and urban planning of the old part of the city as the historical-cultural documents of the country, creation of attractive conditions for the development of tourism industry, prevention of motor traffic inside the street, traditional designing and use of construction materials which are coordinated with the present architecture and elimination of negative aspects as the primary goals of the comprehensive plan of the city.
The archeologist, pointing to the discoveries in Chahar Bagh Abbasi, said in the archeological surveys of the area remains of the flooring with 20x25 cm bricks dating back to the Qajar period were discovered which had been put together in a regular shape.
He also referred to the discovery of flooring with rubbles in a unified pattern dating back to the Pahlavi period as another finding of the explorations but said so far no sign had been found of the fountain network which has been mentioned in travelogues hoping that it would be found in the continuation of the excavations.
As for the continuation of the excavations, Shahbaz said continued research in Chahar Bagh Abbasi on the basis of historical documents and Chahar Bagh Abbasi travelogue will identify indicators of the tourism ecosystem and the missing Safavid architecture.
He said that continued exploration will help identification of the layers and architectural remains and also structure of the pavement and the fountain network and their connection with the gardens and Jahan Nama building.
EghtesadOnline: The discovery of the arrangement for building pavements in the Safavid era in Chahar Bagh Abbasi in Isfahan, with stone foundation and brick decoration around, is part of the archeological explorations in this area, the Relations Office of the Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and Tourism (RICHT) reported.