Tehran, 30 October 2006 (CHN Foreign Desk) -- Archeological excavations in Rabe Rashidi in the northwestern city of Tabriz led into discovery of some historic evidence dating back to the Ilkhanid era (1256-1336 AD). The new discoveries include a number of square-shaped regions enclosed using stones and bricks covered with a layer of stucco and several Ilkhanid gravestones used in the construction of a Safavid fortress in the area. This is the first time such evidence has been found in this historic region.

 

Laleh Rouhangiz, head of archeology team at Rabe Rashidi believes that discovery of some historical evidence belonging to the Ilkhanid period for the first time in this historical site was an important accomplishment during this season of excavations. “Rabe Rashidi is dated to the Ilkhanid era; however no historical evidence belonging to this period had been discovered during the previous excavations in this region,” said Rouhangiz to CHN. According to this archeologist, the new discoveries were made outside Rashidi Fortress which is denoted to the Safavid dynastic era (1501-1736 AD). This fortress was built during the Safavids near Rabe Rashidi School.

 

Based on historical documents, Rabe Rashidi in Tabriz dates back to more than 700 years ago when Khajeh Rasid-idin Fazlollah Hamedani, the minister of Ghazan Khan, the seventh ruler of the Ilkhanid dynasty, established a big academic center in this area which he named Rabe Rashidi. After his death several years later, Khajeh Rashid was buried in this place and a tomb was built over his grave.

 

This scientific and educational complex was equipped with a big paper factory, a massive library, an educational treatment center (Dar-ol-Shafa), Dar-ol Quran (Quranic Center), residential facilities for teachers, student’s quarter, a big caravansary and other facilities during the Ilkhanid era. Thousands of students from Iran, China, Egypt, and Syria studied their desired subjects here under the supervision of intellectuals, scientists, physicians and Islamic scholars. More than 30,000 houses, stores and other urban constructions existed in the residential quarter.

 

After more than seven centuries, archeologists are now determined to uncover more secrets about this historic site which is located 6 meters below the present city of Tabriz. 

 

During this season of excavations in Tabriz, archeologists have also succeeded in discovering the main tower of Rashidi Fortress and unearthed 2.5 meters of this tower. Studies on this tower showed that gravestones dated to the Ilkhanid period engraved with verses of the holy Qoran were used in its construction. “This fortress was constructed during the reign of Shah Abbas, the Safavid king, who ordered its construction to protect the ruler of Tabriz from possible attacks by the Ottomans. The materials used to build this fortress were taken from Rabe Rashidi School and Ghazan Khan tomb while gravestones from Tabriz historical cemetery were also used in its construction. What is known today as Rabe Rashidi is mainly limited to this Safavid fortress,” explained Rouhangiz. 

 

Head of excavation team in Rabe Rashidi believes that since Shah Abbas had ordered the fortress to be constructed in the shortest time, the materials for its construction had to be obtained from the nearest areas such as Rabe Rashidi School and Tabriz Cemetery which were easily available. On the other hand, since the gravestones of this cemetery were big in size, they were taken to be used in the construction of the fortress.

 

 

Soudabeh Sadigh

foreigndesk@chn.ir