محمد اقبال چهر

Among the significant and yet controversial archaeological remains of the Sasanian period are the Chahār Tāqis and fire temples of this era. Chahār Tāqis reflect historical and architectural engineering points that, despite their simplicity in construction, have managed to endure for many years. Although the primary function of Chahār Tāqis was mainly religious, in some cases, they could also serve as commemorative monuments or guideposts. Despite being constructed over a long period and scattered across a vast geographical area throughout the Iranian plateau, Chahār Tāqis exhibit very similar characteristics in construction techniques and spatial positioning. The abundance, distribution, and expansion of Chahār Tāqis in the studied region necessitate multiple research topics from architectural, functional, and religious perspectives. Given the prevalence and spread of Chahār Tāqis in the Isfahan region, this study adopts a descriptive-analytical approach to compare the architectural elements of Sasanian fire temples and Chahār Tāqis in Isfahan province, as well as the metric dimensions of each architectural element. In addition to studying the architectural and decorative elements used in prominent Chahār Tāqis of the region, such as those in Niasar, Shirkuh, Nakhlak, and Qal'eh Dar, the reasons for their abundance in this region compared to other areas during the Sasanian period and their potential uses in the early Islamic period are also explored. Furthermore, the positioning of these structures in relation to nearby natural and unnatural phenomena has been carefully examined. Based on the dimensions and surface distribution of the mentioned Chahār Tāqis, it can be concluded that these structures were likely sites for the Aduran or Dadgah fires.