Geomagnetic studies launched in Iran’s biggest Urartian castle

The studies were conducted aimed at obtaining more comprehensive information of the existence of the structures and architectural remains available in the underlying layers of the residential part and eastern area of the castle.

RICHT quoted head of the geomagnetic explorations team in the Bastam ancient castle Gholam Shirzadeh as saying the historical Bastam Castle is located 10 km west of the city of Qara Ziauddin, center of Chaipareh in north of West Azarbaijan Province.

He referred to the 32 hectare castle as the biggest Urartian castle in Iran and stressed that Bastam Castle is composed of a central castle with three separate parts (the lower castle, the middle castle and the upper castle) in addition to the residential area.

The archaeologist pointed to the background of the explorations in the area and said the history of archeological studies at the site shows that the ancient castle was identified by the German delegation led by Wolfram Klassis and was put under archeological explorations for a period of 10 years.

“With the formation of the national base in that location, studies for the preservation, restoration and organization of Bastam Castle were followed with more coherence, he added.

He went on to say that to that direction through coordination with the Austrian Innsbruck University and Iran’s Research Institute of Archeology conducting geomagnetic studies was put on the agenda of Bastam base.

He referred to obtaining more comprehensive information of the available architectural structures and remains in the underlying layers of the residential area and eastern part of Bastam Castle as the purpose of the studies. He said it could serve as a good guide for the targeted archeological exploration in Bastam Castle in the coming years.

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