Zagros Archaeological Researches

Zagros Archaeological Researches

Introduction and Analysis of the Stucco Decorations Unearthed from the Qal‘eh-Sam Complex (Holeilan, Ilam)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Farshad Miri 1
younes yousofvand 2
1 Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Literature and Human Sciences, University of Lurestan, Khorramabad, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Archaeology, Lorestan University, Khoramabad, Iran.
10.22034/z.a.r.2025.729439
Abstract
With the transfer of the Sasanian capital from Fars to Ctesiphon, the western regions of Iran (the central Zagros area) received particular attention from the kings and nobles of this dynasty, due to their favorable climate and proximity to the new capital—an interest that continued into the early Islamic centuries. The reflection of this attention is clearly evident in the surviving archaeological evidence, including monumental buildings and distinguished architectural remains. One such monument is the complex known as Qal‘eh-Sam, situated atop the heights of Mount Sam in the Holeilan region of Ilam province. This complex consists of a large residential/ceremonial structure combined with defensive/fortification elements. As a result of illicit excavations at the entrance of its domed building, parts of its stucco decorations have been revealed. This article introduces these stuccoes, examines their technical characteristics, and undertakes a comparative analysis of their decorative motifs. Beyond their artistic and iconographic significance as newly discovered examples, these decorations may also contribute to a more precise dating of the Qal‘eh-Sam monument. Accordingly, this study, adopting a descriptive-comparative approach and drawing upon both field investigations and library-based research, focuses on the decorative and technical aspects of the stucco reliefs. These decorations were executed in two techniques: freehand modeling in situ and mold-made prefabrication. Their primary motifs consist of geometric and vegetal patterns. Comparative analysis indicates that while traces of Sasanian artistic traditions are visible, the overall compositional schemes, motifs, and execution techniques exhibit strong affinities with early Islamic stuccoes, particularly those of the Abbasid period.
Keywords
Qal&‌‌‌‌‌‌‌lsquo
eh-Sam Monument
Stucco Decorations
Sasanian Period
Early Islamic Centuries
 
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Zagros Archaeological Researches
Volume 2, Issue 1
June 2025
Pages 147-128

  • Receive Date 21 September 2025