Revising the Dating of the Farhad Tarash at Bisotun بازنگری تاریخگذاری فرهاد تراش - بیستون (original) (raw)

"""The unfinished stone carving of the Farhad Tarash (Faratash or Farhad's Throne) is located to the south of the carving of Darius the Great on the rocks of Bisotun mountain. Its length is 180 meters, while its height is 45 meters. The most important question one might ask regarding the carving is who has ordered it to be carved, when, and for what purposes. Researchers have a variety of answers to these questions. While Hartsfield and some other researchers believe that Faratash dates back to Achamanids' era, Williams Jackson has no certain opinion about it. Professor Luchay maintains that the carving on the Bisotun mountain has been ordered by King Khosro II of Sasanid dynasty. Some other scholars also believe that the kings and architects of the Sasanid Dynasty were interested in portraying their glory and grandeur by constructing huge stone arches. Some construction and civil engineers believe that the carving site has been the actual mine and workshop of stone-cutting activities of the carved stones which have been used in loyal palaces and other buildings of the Sasanid dynasty. The natives of the region think it has been carved by Farhad, the Mountain Carver. They believe he did it because of falling in love with Shirin who was the Christian wife of then the king, Khosro Parviz. Not only has Bisotun inspired famous poets, but also has been a source of genuine inspiration for Persian miniaturists and has impressed and influenced them greatly. Most of the miniaturists who have painteded pictures for Nezami's book – a poem book narrating the love story of Khosro and Shirin- since the 10th century, have distinctly drawn the high wall of Bisotun and the spring flowing at its foot along with portraits of Khosro and Shirin. On the carved rock are the signs of chisels of stone carvers along with special holes for fitting wooden wedge for carving the stones. The uneven and rough surface is a sign showing the fact that the carving has been left unfinished but it is quite clear that its upper parts had almost been approaching the final phases of carving. There are lots of stone bricks, stones carved out of mountain rocks, columns, and column feet left unfinished at the foot of the carved rock and on the ground. Regarding the remaining evidence including the carving style, the unfinished carved stones near the site, signs of carving, and the architectural style (stone wall, etc.) it seems to belong to the post Achamanid dynasty. """