From Sasanian Temples to Pamiri Homes: Continuity of Zoroastrian Architecture

Abstract

This study examines what Zoroastrian traditions and symbols have been preserved in modern Pamiri houses called “chid” taking as a reference point religious and domestic architecture of Sassanid Iran (224-651 AD) through the theoretical framework of Mircea Eliade, who wrote on archaeology of sacred space. For architectural analysis through the lens of sacred space theory the architecture photos, structures and schemes of houses and fire temples will be used. The study will also use ritual archaeology by Roy Abraham Rappaport in order to analyze the traditional ceremonies held in Iranian religious and Pamiri domestic space. The research question of the project is: To what extent have Zoroastrian symbols and traditions been preserved in present-day domestic architecture of Pamir based on Sassanid Zoroastrian architecture archaeology findings? To answer the question, the project aims to explore what similarities between ancient Sasanian architecture, primarily fire temples, and modern Pamiri domestic architecture exist today with a focus on religious symbolism these architectural structures bring and how they have changed their meaning over time. In the case of Pamiri “chids” Zoroastrian constructions have been preserved till today but they have acquired new Muslim interpretations for their symbolism. By applying the sacred space and ritual archaeology methodologies of Eliade and Rappaport the project will provide an insight of how religious houses distinguish from non-religious ones, what structures and what space orientations make the space sacred and how we can see that in pre-Islamic Zoroastrian architecture of ancient Iran and Pamiri houses that used to be places of worship of Zoroastrians. As Sasanian Persia was the period of the largest popularity of Zoroastrianism, this religion had played a crucial role in establishing a new state and strengthening Sasanian power and culture spread throughout the state. Fire temples were the main features of Sasanian Zoroastrianism that were numerous across the country and had distinct architecture and a developed plan of building. One could easily distinguish physical features and the building plan of a fire temple as they had common structure and common ideology behind the design. Fire temples were used to perform religious ceremonies and worship there. However, Zoroastrianism had influenced both religious and domestic architecture. Typical feature of Zoroastrian architecture is building specific elements in special numbers: for example, in religious Sasanian constructions chahar taq, which consists of four-barrel vaults, chorhona in Pamiri house (chid) is four-folded roof, which symbolizes 4 elements – earth, water, wind, and fire. Another example is construction of 5 columns in Pamiri chid, which used to symbolize 5 angels in Zoroastrianism but currently symbolizes prophet Mohammed and his close companions. This is an example of how the architecture of Sasanian Iran and Pamiri houses is compared. The analysis is based on archaeological articles and book chapters describing in detail specific architectural structures of Sassanid Iran and the photos and schemes of buildings, high-quality photos of archaeological sites in several regions of Iran. This provides a profound knowledge of how typical fire temple architecture is set up and how Zoroastrians used this space to accomplish their religious duties.