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3 November 2008
Chartaqi of Niasar
Calendric Structure of Niasar
By:
Reza Moradi Ghiasabadi
Name:
Čārtāqi
Niāsar
(Squared-Base Arcs).
Location:
Niasar, West of Kashan, Isfahan Province, Iran (250 km from
south of Tehran).
Age:
~2000 years.
Latitude:
33˚ 58.28′ N (±0.01′).
Longitude:
51˚ 08.53′ E (±0.01′).
Altitude:
1,760 meters.
Altitude of the surrounding plain:
380 meters.
Orientation of its plan:
11˚ from true north (±0.5˚), eastward.
Floor area measure:
142 m2.
Height:
10.50 m.
Length and Width:
11.90 m (±2 cm).
Chartaqi of Niasar located
near the city of Kashan (Fig. 1.1) and constructed during
the late Parthian or early Sassanian Dynasties′ eras. Its
plan is square in shap.
Fig. 1.1
Map of
Falling
rain
This Chartaqi (čārtāqi)
is one of the greatest and the oldest one in Iran-proper
that remained intact for over 2000 years.
It is plan is like quadrangle
with sides that are 11.9 m (Fig. 1.2; Plan
1).
Fig. 1.2
Chartaqi of
Niasar
For the
construction of this monument the ancient Persian (Iranian)
architects used residual rocks, which contain holes
within, and as the result they are lightweight and resilient to
weather and especially earthquake, which is why after 2000 years
in this earthquake region of Iran this monument is still
standing.
Plat 1
All sides of this Chartaqi like
the other existing Chartaqis are open with no door or window
(Fig. 1.3).
Fig. 1.3
Chartaqi of
Niasar
Chartaqi of Niasar
from also from architectural aspect is unique, in its'
quadrangle plan with circle cupola place in the centre very
accurately.
In year 2000,
author has proposed a theory about the function of Chartaqi of
Niasar, as a calendar monument that works with sunlight. In
summer and winter solstice the sunrays enter into the monument
from different angles; and with them we can say the time of the
year.
Observe:
Plat 2
There are,
however, some theories that state that in ancient times
Zorvanism use this place for their religious practices. Near
this Chartaqi there is a shrine and holy tree (plantain) and
also a fountain that makes it some how a holy place. Also near
Chartaqi is a modern observatory.
Today Niasar is tryst for people who like astronomy in Iran.
Every year
Chartaqi of Niasar is hosting a large number of Iranians that
gather there to cherish their ancestral way of life and to mark
the observance of sunrise on summer and winter solstice (Fig.
3.1, 3.2).
Plat 3
Two lines for
summer solstice at sunrise
Fig. 2.1
Astronomical
alignment SS 1
Photography time: Five minutes after sunrise
Fig. 2.2
Astronomical
alignment SS 2
Photography time: Five minutes
after sunrise
Plat 4
Fig. 2.3
Astronomical
alignment WS
Mountain height on
the horizon: 2˚
Photography time: Two minutes after sunrise
Fig. 2.4
Astronomical
alignment WS
Mountain height on
the horizon: 2˚
Photography time: Two minutes after sunrise
Plat 5
Fig. 2.5
Astronomical
alignment ST
Mountain height on
the horizon: 9˚
Photography time: Ten minutes before sunset
Plat 6
Two lines for
winter solstice at sunset
Fig. 2.6
Astronomical
alignment WT
Mountain height on
the horizon: 7˚
Photography time: Two minutes before sunset
Fig. 3.1
Fig. 3.2
Fig. 3.3
For further detail refer to
Nezām-e
gāhšomāri dar Čārtāqihā-ye Iran
(The Time keeping in Persain Squared-Base Arcs), Tehran, 2001,
(Published in Persian);
Banāhā-e
taqvimi va nojūmi-e Irān
(The Persain Calendric Structure), Second edition, Tehran, 2002,
(Published in Persian), by the author of this article.
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