Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• Esmaiel Maroufi ¹
• Karim Hajizadeh ²

¹ PhD Student of Archeology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.

² Associate Professor of Archeology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.

Abstract

In the tombstones of the Islamic period of Iran, many forms have been used, the most important of which are cradle tombstones. The name refers to a tombstone that looks like a cradle that consists of two parts, the lower body and the upper ridge. This type of tombstone is one of the most common types of tombstones in cemeteries of the Islamic period in Iran and neighboring areas, which can be found in many cemeteries, including in the northwest, west, central Iran and other areas. Boukan city in the south of West Azarbaijan province is one of the places where, in addition to other forms of tombstones of the Islamic period of Iran, cradle-shaped tombstones, although very rare, can be found in some of its cemeteries. This research, in a descriptive-analytical and historical manner and based on field and library studies, seeks to introduce and analyze the rocky graves of the cradle type of the mentioned region and its adaptation to other examples in other cemeteries of Iran and their dating. The authors are looking for the correct answer to the following questions: 1. What is the shape of the tombstone of the cradle type and in which of the cemeteries of the Islamic period of Iran are found? 2. The tombstones of Buokan Cradle are comparable to which of the tombstones in the cemeteries of the Islamic period of Iran and belong to which historical period? 3. What are the meanings of the rock tomb cradle study? Studies show that cradle tombstones have been identified in Grdi Qabran Cemetery and Chavarchin Cemetery (tombstones in Sardar’s tomb). These tombstones, in terms of structural features and decorative motifs, are comparable to tombstones and architectural decorations of Ilkhanid buildings in other areas, especially in the region of Azerbaijan And their general form, which is similar to a cradle; It conveys meanings such as ascension, ascension to heaven, guiding the soul, peace, liberation from the mortal world, and attaining perfection.

Keywords

• Islamic period
• Iran
• cradle tombstones
• Boukan
• dating