TEHRAN – The ancient city of Sirvan in Ilam province, known for its unique architecture, stands as evidence of a rich regional civilization during the Sassanid era and the early Islamic centuries, according to Habibollah Mahmoudian, a specialist in prehistoric archaeology.

He told ISNA that comparing this city with Seymareh (Darrehshahr) shows similarities in architectural style, type of arch, and materials used. 
Mahmoudian said that the architectural style of Sirvan's buildings is comparable to some monuments, such as the ancient city of Seymareh and the castles on the slopes of Kabir Kouh Mountain, including the castles of Sheikh Makan and Bahram Choobin, adding that the Cham Ab Bardeh Bridge near Darrehshahr is also considered one of these monuments.
Comparing the remaining buildings of Seymareh with the buildings of Sirvan, he said that significant similarities are observed in the building style, type of arch, and materials used. All the buildings of Darrehshahr were built of river rubble. Seymareh is a city with palaces, caravanserais, and various houses, many of which are still standing. 

The archaeologist explained that the majority of alleys and streets of this ancient city are regularly surveyed and planned. French archaeologist De Morgan wrote about the buildings of Seymareh (present-day Darrehshahr) that the houses usually consist of one floor at ground level, with arches that are plastered.

Mahmoudian explained that the rubble used in the buildings of Seymareh comes from the banks of the Seymareh River and is of the same type of rubble that was used in the construction of the city of Sirvan. The plaster used in both cities was obtained from the surrounding mountains and hills and the roofs of the buildings of both cities were built in the form of domes or with crescent arches, he added.

He continued that Seifollah Kambakhshfard has written in an article titled ‘Darrehshahr’: “Currently, there are signs of arches and curves in these ruins. And the bright shadows from the street layout, alleys, and urban communication network system are evident in this texture.”

“In many cases, the arches indicate changes in the architectural form from the Sassanid to the Islamic eras. These changes and the new style in Darrehshahr are a phenomenon that shows two schools of architecture that continue one after the other, changing together for some reason, this situation is also observed in the architecture of Sirvan.”

Mahmoudian continued that, considering the mentioned cases, it can be concluded that Sirvan is one of the ancient cities that was contemporary with the city of Seymareh (the current Darrehshahr), and the architectural style of the two cities is almost the same and comparable. Also, Sirvan was an important and prestigious city during the Sassanid period and the early Islamic centuries and had a suitable location for social life due to favorable natural and climatic conditions, water resources and fertile lands, he said. The architecture of this city is comparable to the ancient city of Seymareh in terms of architectural style, crescent arches and type of materials, he added.

Regarding the cultural identities of the region, he said that the remains of the ancient city, castles, quadrangles, fortified fortresses, and the density of pottery, stone blades, and tools made of stone are visible evidence and cultural identities on the surface of the artifacts, indicating human settlement in different historical periods.

Mahmoudian added that the historical and ancient region on the banks of the Sirvan River is located in the foothills of the Charmin heights, and the proximity of mountains and plains, the temperate climate, rich water resources, and fertile and irrigated lands of this geographical area are considered to be the main factors for the continuation of settlement in different periods (from prehistoric to historical periods and also the Islamic period).

He stated that although the low valley of Sarab-e Kalan on the banks of Sirvan River has a warmer climate, the climate of the ancient city of Sirvan is temperate mountainous. 

KD