LAODICEA ~ SEEKING A GREEK TEMPLE IN NAVAHAND OF IRAN

The Greek inscription found in Navahand

The chance discovery of an inscription in Nahavand in 1943 suggested the existence of a Greek temple. Based on the translation of the Greek inscription, the temple was built during the reign of Antiochus III (223-187 BCE), in the place then referred to as Laodicea. In 1949, five small bronze figures were discovered by accident in the same area. 

A little later, whilst visiting the area, Ghirshman happened to identify a Seleucid stone altar and in 1978, during a survey and sounding, Gh. Masumi discovered a stone column base in the same location.

In 2005,during surface survey, an Ionic column base and capital were discovered in the yard of a house belonging to the Seleucid era , as well as a plain stone shaft, bearing no decoration, which probably dates to the Sasanian period. Local people reported several engraved stones, a column drum, and columns bases which had been recycled in the foundations of walls or as steps. Although excavations were limited in this built-up area, 11 test trenches were cut, bringing to light potsherds, architectural fragments, graves, parts of columns and other stone objects. The finds were all obtained from disturbed contexts. In some sondages the excavations continued to a depth of 450cm from the surface, but all layers were damaged and disturbed because of recent activities. 

The pottery included examples from the Seleucid (Figure 4), Parthian (Figure 5), Sasanian and Islamic periods.

The most important find was an Ionic stone capital, now in Nahavand Museum. It is 73.5cm in diameter and 26.5cm in height and decorated by two volutes on two sides. A similar capital, found in Iran, came from a Parthian site in Khorhe and another, found on the present border of Iran, came from the Oxus Temple in modern-day Tajikistan.

Another important item was a column base, which had been used as a mortar for many years and then was abandoned in the corner of a house yard. It is a circular base, 60cm in diameter and 33cm in height. It is decorated by two rather large bold bands. It is very similar to the Ionic column base from Bisotun.

Conclusion

All the Seleucid finds from Nahavand, such as the Greek inscription, the stone altar, bronze figures of the Greek Gods, column bases, capital and potsherds were discovered in the same location at Do-Khaharan, indicating the most likely site of the Greek temple at Iranian Laodicea.

SOURCE: tavoosonline.com