Inscriptions and Epigraphs, Kermanshah (Part3)
Pahlavi Script Inscriptions, Bistoon
Throughout Bistoon and its surroundings, wherever a sculptured stone or structure is present, scripts dating to the Sassanid era can be noted.
Such as the 427 symbols engraved on stones in vicinities like the Safavid caravansary of Bistoon, the Safavid bridge on Dinvar Ab, the Khosravi Bridge on Garmasiab, the caravansary edifice of Bistoon and the engravings on the rocks scattered in various sections of Bistoon. These symbols are similar to that of households, names of certain personalities, on even workshops (foundries) who were responsible for these sculptured effects.
Parthian Miteridant Inscription, Bistoon
Under the Achaemenian inscription of Bistoon, is the archaic embossment of the Parthian that has come to light to date. The same is an engraving of 100 years B.C. The same has come to reveal that the Parthian ruler of the time selected the location of this impression in such a manner so as to make a distinct mark between the Parthian and the Achaemenian eras. As regards artistic measures, the said shows no sign of movement or technique, the latter is moreover primary. Those who are named in this inscription are recorded in the Latin or Greek script.
Taq-e-Bostan Engraving, Kermanshah
The ‘Taq-e-Bostan’ (Bostan Arch) or ‘Taq-e-Vostan’ (Vostan Arch) is situated to the right of the city entrance of Kermanshah, and is to the north east of this city. This aggregate which comprises of engravings and epigraphs is related to the Sassanid era.
The same is located in the mountain, and together with the natural surroundings, a gorgeous landscape comes into view. On entering this area, the first epigraph is related to Ardeshir II. Ardeshir stands between Ahoura Mazda and Mitra. His face turned towards Ahoura Mazda, and his left hand receiving a wreath of friendship from Ahoura Mazda. Under their feet lies the enemy or ‘Ahriman’.
After this epigraph there is a smaller arch, which depicts the figures of Shapour II and his son Shapour III. On top of each of these impressions the personalities of the epigraph have been introduced in Pahlavi Sassanid script. In the third section of this aggregate there are beautiful epigraphs throughout, revealing winged angels, the tree of life, boar hunting in the groves, duck hunting etc. together with a group of musicians bringing about a festive atmosphere.
Below the epigraph is an armed rider on a horse. Some believe this to be ‘Pirouz Sassanid’, whilst others take this personality to be ‘Khosrow Parviz’.
Other Engravings and Inscriptions, Kermanshah
Small Bistoon inscriptions, no. 1 Bistoon inscription (related to primary Islamic centuries), no. 2 Bistoon inscription placed in the old caravansary of Bistoon (related to 3rd and 4th centuries A.H.), no. 3 Bistoon inscription on sculptured stones in old Bistoon caravansary's wall, a piece of limestone and a lion stone in Bistoon (related to the 2nd millennium B.C.), the Parthian Valgash Inscription on the skirts of the Bistoon Mountains (related to he Parthian era), an engraved platform a rock in Bistoon (of the Parthian age), an inscription pertaining to the endowments of Sheikh Ali Khan Zanganeh on Bistoon rock (related to Safavid era), and the Gerech Arch in Islam Abad Qarb (related to the Sassanid period).
Source:chnpress.com
Other links:
Inscriptions and Epigraphs, Kermanshah (Part1)
Inscriptions and Epigraphs, Kermanshah (Part2)
The province of Kermanshah
History and Culture, Kermanshah
The Province of West Azarbaijan
Province of East Azarbaijan
The province of Qom
The Province of Markazi
Province of Qazvin
Province of Kurdistan
The Province of Ilam
