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<< Our Photo Pages >> Anahita Temple - Ancient Temple in Iran

Submitted by DrewParsons on Sunday, 23 May 2010  Page Views: 7236

Multi-periodSite Name: Anahita Temple
Country: Iran Type: Ancient Temple
Nearest Town: Kermanshah  Nearest Village: Kangavar
Latitude: 34.501140N  Longitude: 47.959000E
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
3 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
3 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
4 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
5

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Anahita Temple
Anahita Temple submitted by DrewParsons : Anahita Temple. Photo by Ali Matin and is reproduced here courtesy The Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Kermanshah. "Hereby, on behalf of the Organization, I allow anyone to use the picture according to Wikipedia policy on images" (Vote or comment on this photo)
Anahita Temple, Kangavar, Kermanshah province Iran. Photograph by Ali Matin and is reproduced here courtesy The Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Kermanshah. "Hereby, on behalf of the Organization, I allow anyone to use the picture according to Wikipedia policy on images". Submitted to this site by DrewParsons

The proposed date for the construction of the Anahita Temple is circa 200 BCE, thus placing it as the oldest surviving stone structure from the Parthian dynasty (248BCE - 224CE) in Iran-proper.

The platform covers 4,600 sq.m, constructed over a mound 32-meters high, and is claimed to have been a temple dedicated to the Zoroastrian deity ‘Aredvi Sura Anahita’ (Arədvī Sūrā Anāhitā), venerated as the divinity of 'the Waters' (Aban), associated with fertility, healing, purity and wisdom.

The remains at Kangavar reveal an edifice that is Hellenistic in character and yet displays distinctly Iranian architectural traits. The platform’s enormous dimensions and its megalithic foundations, corroborated by the two lateral stairways that ascend the platform echo and recalling Achaemenid traditions, particularly mimicking that of the Apadana Palace at Persepolis.

Since its construction, the ancient structure underwent numerous major reconstruction periods continuing into 19th century, and until detailed further excavations are to be carried out, no definite judgments may be declared on its function. Recent (2010) construction work at the site further hinders this.

This is unfortunate since there are a variety of theories concerning the origins and purpose of this site. As well as the Partian attribution, a 1981 report has supporters who see the site not as a temple but as a late Sassanian palace placing it towards the end of the Sassanid era of 224 AD to 636 AD. A third viewpoint holds that it was constructed and added to at various times during the Achaemenid period placing it in the era of 550 BC to 331BC. There is another location credited as being the site of Anahita Temple and that is at Bishapur 150 kilometres west of Shiraz.
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Anahita Temple
Anahita Temple submitted by DrewParsons : The steps to the platform. April 2014. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Anahita Temple
Anahita Temple submitted by DrewParsons : Part of a column. April 2014. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Anahita Temple
Anahita Temple submitted by DrewParsons : April 2014. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Anahita Temple
Anahita Temple submitted by DrewParsons : April 2014. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Anahita Temple
Anahita Temple submitted by DrewParsons : Main wall showing close fitting block work. April 2014.

Anahita Temple
Anahita Temple submitted by DrewParsons : Residual part of one of the columns. April 2014.

Anahita Temple
Anahita Temple submitted by DrewParsons : Numbered blocks, presumably for eventual reconstruction. April 2014

Anahita Temple
Anahita Temple submitted by DrewParsons : View showing part of the wall and tumbled ruins in front of it. April 2014.

Anahita Temple
Anahita Temple submitted by DrewParsons : General view across the ruins. April 2014

Anahita Temple
Anahita Temple submitted by durhamnature : Old photo, from "History of Persia..." via archive.org Site in Iran

Anahita Temple
Anahita Temple submitted by DrewParsons : Detail of the retaining wall with numbered pieces of stone replaced in their original locations. April 2014.

Anahita Temple
Anahita Temple submitted by DrewParsons : View towards the top of the site. April 2014.

Anahita Temple
Anahita Temple submitted by DrewParsons : The site sign. April 2014

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"Anahita Temple" | Login/Create an Account | 2 News and Comments
  
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Re: Anahita Temple by DrewParsons on Thursday, 02 September 2010
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2000-year-old Parthian Anahita temple in Hamadan destroyed

2000-year-old Parthian Anahita temple in Hamadan destroyed to build a Islamic prayer-place.

Remains of a Parthian dynastic edifice located on the hilltop of Mosalla tappeh (archaeological mound) was flattened to prepare the ground for the construction of a Mosalla[1].

The news of the destruction of Iranian heritage has angered the nation, particularly the cultural figures and heritage enthusiasts.

According to Mehrnush Najafi-Ragheb, the spokeswoman for Municipality Islamic Council of Hamadan, the remains of the Parthian edifice was destroyed over two years ago.

“Until two years ago the remains of the ruins of the fortress, which was possibly Parthian was standing and was destroyed when the construction of the Mosalla began”, said Najafi-Ragheb to the Persian service of CHN.

She added: “during 2006 council’s session, [the mound] was considered as a cultural and religious site and as a result construction for the Mosalla began.”

She failed to explain how the Islamic Republic destroying a 2000 year old monument, which was an important part of Iranian heritage and history, could be considered as ‘cultural’.

The site was fenced up and restricted to public for the past two-years under the pretence of protection of the ancient monument.

Artefacts recovered from the site in the past few decades, many kept in Hamadan Museum, suggest the mound was Parthian, with a strong possibility of a Median dynastic foundation. Some experts believe the destroyed monument was a Temple for the Zoroastrian deity, Anahita (ānāhitā).

Archaeologists believe in ancient times this 600x400 meter mound and the adjacent Hegmataneh (Ecbatana) were possibly connected and together formed the ancient and the original city. The famous Shir Sangi (Stone Lion) of Hamadan stands on the slope of the mound.

According to historical records, the Parthian edifice which was named as Tappeh Dokhtar (the Virgin’s Mound) was used as a defensive-structure and remained in its original format until 1791 when Aqa-Mohammad-Khan Qajar conquered Hamadan, destroyed the monument and left an abundant ruin.

The ancient Iranian monuments named ‘dokhtar meaning ‘daughter and virgin’ usually referring to the deity Anahita.

In 1978, the Imperial Ministry of Culture and Art planned the revitalisation of the ancient monuments in the city of Hamadan including commissioning extensive research on the three main historical mounds and finally their complete restorations, which was scrapped after the rise of Anglo-American orchestrated regime of clerics to power in 1979. [2]

Apart from the cultural and heritage catastrophes brought along by the Islamic Republic’s new Prayer ground in Hamadan, it has inflicted environmental devastation too.

According to the report over 400-trees were cut down to prepare the site for construction. It has been announced that more trees are expected to be cut down.

These destructions have taken place, while no detailed archaeological study has ever been carried out over the mound, and the rest of the ancient mound remains under the treat of further destructions.

Many voiced their objections, signifying there was enough lands in and around Hamadan which could have been used for the purpose of Mosalla construction, avoiding destroying Iranian heritage and cutting the trees which many consider them as the ‘lungs of Hamadan’.



Hamadan

The city of Hamadan is one of the oldest capital city in Iran was the seat of the first Iranian dynastic empire, the Medes (728-550 BCE). It is believed the city was founded ca. 1100 BCE, while some historians argue it dates back to 3000 BCE.

According to historical records, there was once a castle in this city called Kohan-Dež (old-Fort

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Re: Anahita Temple by Anonymous on Sunday, 23 May 2010
Sections of Anahita Temple at Kangavar Destroyed By New Construction

Once again pre-Islamic Iranian heritage faces destruction, this time the victim is the famous historical platform known as the Anahita Temple, in the township of Kangavar in Kermanshah Province.

The damages have been caused by construction activities including excavations for concrete-footings on the ancient platform, reported the Persian service of Mehr News on Sunday.

The construction has outraged archaeologists and cultural enthusiasts who are voicing their concerns over the destruction.

The news agency released pictures showing some concrete-footings at the site that have not yet dried out and metal beams ready to be erected. The evidence suggests a large construction is on the way and no one knows the purpose of the building or who is responsible for the destruction.

The construction work at the site has begun despite the fact that the heritage regulations ban any constructions on or around cultural heritage sites, though Islamic Republic is no stranger to ignoring this law.

The Islamic Republic’s authorities are also refusing to comment on the issue.

When Mehr News agency reporter asked Zeinoldini the director of Kangavar Cultural Heritage Department about the destruction of the site, he refused to comment, responded “the order came from the top to not give any information, and you should contact the ICHTHO’s Public Relation Office to obtain the information.”

This is not the first time however the pre-Islamic Iranian heritage is threatened by new constructions. Since the Islamic Republic came to power in 1979, pre-Islamic Iranian heritage has suffered extensively and many historical sites have been destroyed under the guise of development projects.

The biggest of them all is the notorious Sivand Dam in Fars province, which submerged over 137 archaeological sites, including an Achaemenid dynastic (550-330 BCE) palace denoted to Darius the Great; a section of the Achaemenid Imperial Road; a Parthian cemetery and a Sasanian dynastic wine workshop. In addition, the humidity that is generated from the artificial lake has affected the structural-integrity of the Pasargadae the first capital of Achaemenid dynasty.

Many Iranians and cultural institutions including CAIS, believe the regime’s main objective for building the Sivand dam was a gradual destruction of Pasargadae and particularly the mausoleum of Cyrus the Great as the result of high humidity levels in the area.

The historical figure of the Cyrus the Great is placed on the top of the Islamic Regime leaders’ hate list. He who is considered by Iranians as the ‘Father of the Nation’ has been under constant attack and name-callings, simply because Iranians have great respect and deep warm feelings for the benevolent ancient Iranian king.

With the current ongoing uprising in Iran, and new hopes for the fall of the theocratic-totalitarian regime on the horizon, Iranians archaeologists and cultural enthusiasts believe the first task of the new regime in power, is an immediate decommissioning of a number of dams built to target pre-Islamic Iranian heritage sites.



Anahita Temple

The proposed date for the construction of the Anahita Temple is circa 200 BCE, thus placing it as the oldest surviving stone structure from the Parthian dynasty (248BCE - 224CE) in Iran-proper.

The platform covers 4,600 sq.m, constructed over a mound 32-meters high, and is claimed to have been a temple dedicated to the Zoroastrian deity ‘Aredvi Sura Anahita’ (Arədvī Sūrā Anāhitā), venerated as the divinity of 'the Waters' (Aban), associated with fertility, healing, purity and wisdom.

The remains at Kangavar reveal an edifice that is Hellenistic in character and yet displays distinctly Iranian architectural traits. The platform’s enormous dimensions an

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