An absolute radiocarbon chronology for the world heritage site of Sarvestan (SW Iran): A late Sasanian heritage in early Islamic era

A precise radiocarbon chronology for the Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars Region, specifically the World Heritage site of Sarvestan (SW Iran), reveals that its construction occurred between 658 and 683 CE, during a transitional period from late Sasanian to early Islamic era. This finding contradicts earlier estimates that placed its age centuries later, suggesting Sarvestan was an architectural project initiated under Sasanian rule but completed during the second half of the seventh century CE, coinciding with the Muslim Arab invasion of Fars. The study employed systematic radiocarbon dating of timbers and charcoals from the main dome's walls and plaster mortars, combined with wiggle matching and R_Combine techniques to minimize age uncertainties. This research sheds light on the socio-political stability in parts of Fars during Islam's expansion into the region.

Djamali, M., Capano, M., Askari‐Chaverdi, A., Faucherre, N., Guibal, F., Northedge, A., Rashidian, E., Tuna, T., & Bard, E. (2021). An absolute radiocarbon chronology for the world heritage site of Sarvestan (SW Iran): A late Sasanian heritage in early Islamic era. Archaeometry, 64(2), 545–559. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/arcm.12716