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Konkobar (Kangavar) |
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| Unless otherwise indicated, pictures on this page © Marco Prins and Jona Lendering. Photos can be downloaded and used for non-commercial purposes, but you have to acknowledge Livius. | ||
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The sanctuary of the goddess Anahita at Kangavar -according to Isidore of Charax once known as Konkobar- is located along the road from Ecbatana (modern Hamadan) to Behistun and the plains of Mesopotamia. This road crosses the Zagros mountains, but the valleys are usually wide and fertile, which makes the dedication to Anahita, the deity of water and fertility appropriate. | |
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There are no archaeological remains predating the Parthian age (although the site may be identical to the Kunduruš mentioned in the Behistun inscription), and it probably dates back to the second half of the second century BCE, after the Parthians had conquered Media. | |
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The preceding picture shows the remains of a portico that surrounded
the sanctuary, which was essentially a low hill converted into a square
platform.
The square platform measured about 220 x 220 meters (the northern side has not been excavated because there is a village). The terrace was about 5 meters high and could be reached by a double staircase that appears to have been inspired by the Stairs of All Nations in Persepolis. |
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Along the edge of the platform was another line of columns, about 3½ meters high... | |
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... and immediately behind these columns was a new wall, that surrounded a second platform that was placed on top of the first terrace. The sanctuary can be compared to a low ziggurat. | |
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Finally, on the second platform was Anahita's sanctuary, a square building
that contained an altar and a square cultic room.
To the east of the sanctuary were several Parthian tombs that contained coffins. |
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