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Proposal for Determining the Function and Chronology of Qaleh Dokhtar (Maiden's Fortress) of Sāveh

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D. Candidate in Archaeology, Bu ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.

2 Professor of the Department of Archaeology, Bu Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran

3 Associate Professor of Archaeology, Research Institute of Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The structure of Qaleh Dokhtar (also known as Qiz Qal'eh or Qiz Qal'eh) is a mountain fortress situated 25 kilometers southwest of Sāveh, atop a solitary mountain in the Hendeš mountain range. Numerous studies have been conducted on the origins and function of this structure, yet they have yielded divergent conclusions. Some researchers attribute the construction of Qaleh Dokhtar to the Sasanian period, positing its function as a temple dedicated to the goddess Anāhitā. Others have identified it as a fortress from the Islamic Middle Ages, associated with the Ismaili sect. The lack of substantial evidence and documentation from these researchers has created a greater need for meticulous examination of primary written sources, the historical-geography of Sāveh, and the existing studies of the monument. This research is predicated on the hypothesis that Qaleh Dokhtar, owing to its name, its strategic location, references in historical sources, its connection to specific natural features and phenomena, and archaeological findings, was constructed during the Sasanian period and functioned as a shrine to the goddess Nahid (Anāhitā).The methodology employed in this study is historical-analytical, based on field observations, architectural evidence, archaeological excavations, and a thorough review of library sources. The research and analysis conducted suggest that while the foundations of Qaleh Dokhtar may have been laid in the Sasanian period as a place of worship, the absence of definitive material evidence from that era, combined with the discovery of artifacts proving the structure's use during the Islamic Middle Ages and its clear association with other regional fortresses, makes its identification as an Ismaili castle a more plausible and acceptable conclusion

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References
 
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Iranian Studies
Volume 16, Issue 1
May 2026
Pages 69-97
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