چكيده لاتين :
Corrals are distinctive types of traditional architecture in Iran which can be categorized into
two groups: free standing spaces and troglodytic spaces. In 2018, a number of troglodytic spaces
were first identified by the present author in the village of Baba located in the mountainous
region of Tarom-e Sofla in Qazvin Province. In the valley and on the cliff slopes of the village
of Baba, there are five troglodytic spaces which have been created in a short distance from each
other and are aligned in almost the same direction. Their architectural structure is similar and
includes a corridor, a low-ceiling entrance, and a large rectangular room spanned with a barrel
vault. In only one of these spaces, there is a small room next to the large room. While the
entranceway is built of flat stone, other spaces are hand-crafted. In addition, there are two
structures which are interconnected through a short corridor next to the entrance, and the other
structures are independent of each other. The rooms can be accessed only through the entrance.
They are free of any apertures for lightning. Along the walls and at the corners of the rooms,
logs and cavities have been carved. There are also remnants of stone raised platforms along the
walls of the rooms. The present study attempts to introduce these newly found features in a
descriptive and analytical fashion and determine their chronology and function. Based on a
comparative study of architectural style and archaeological evidence, the author believes that
the architectural complex of Baba village used to serve as corrals to keep livestock in shelter
during winters. The results of the present study can make a significant contribution to our
understanding of the traditional architectural patterns in the history of village architecture,
ethnoarchaeology, and other related fields of social studies and humanities.
Troglodytic living spaces are a group of little-understood troglodytic architecture. Troglodytic
living spaces that are built to keep livestock, known as corrals or animal slums, play an
important role in the livelihood of villagers. The importance and diversity of these spaces in the
culture of rural architecture of Iran are hardly disputable. However, they have not yet been paid
the due scholarly attention they deserve. Livestock spaces are created independently outside a
village or in connection with the residential area of the village. The collection of Baba village
handicrafts (Figure.1-2) is a valuable case in point that shows aspects of the rural handicraft
architecture tradition. Also, given the fact that the livelihood of the villagers relied on livestock
and livestock products, any endeavor to build livestock spaces was highly appreciated.
Providing a suitable environment with hygienic conditions has been directly related to
maintaining animal health and the cycle of livestock products. These spaces are valuable
evidence of the architectural experiences of our ancestors in their confrontation with an
ecosystem, which have survived for a long time until at least the last hundred years and have
played a role in the economic, social and cultural life of villages. Contemporary developments
have led humans to distance themselves from indigenous patterns and turn to new patterns.
Sustaining the values of ancient architecture requires knowledge of the principles based on
which indigenous architecture was formed and its local values (Sartipipour, 2013: 26).
Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of rural issues and paying attention to biological patterns in the rural environment have an effective role in the sustainable future of the village
(Rezvani & Rahbari, 2016: 25-6).
This study is the first attempt in the literature to introduce the troglodytic collection of the
village of Baba (Figure.3) in Tarom-e Sofla region as a biological experience in rural ecology.
Although from the 1980s to the present, the Building and Housing Research Center and the
Housing Foundation of the Islamic Revolution have provided a macro level typology of rural
housing in the provinces of Iran, few, if any independent detailed studies have so far been
conducted on this topic.
It commits itself to examining how this type of architecture was created, what its main features
are, what the use and construction time of the collection of handicrafts are, and what their status
is within the culture of rural architecture.
This study rests upon the hypothesis that there is a common pattern in the architectural style of
the handicrafts in the mountainous areas and that of cold rural areas. The architectural plan and
structure of troglodytic spaces of the village of Baba (Figure.4-26) are closely similar to those of
other mountainous areas in Iran such as Kharqan Qazvin (Maraghi & Parhizkari, 2015), Vafs
Komijan and Kandovan (Homayoun, 1977) and Meymand (Homayoun, 1973), (Figure.27-30)
and their formation is influenced by environmental and geographical factors. The study is aimed
to look for the commonalities and differences in the architecture of troglodytic village of Baba
and rural architecture. The architecture of the village can be considered as a new example of
animal spaces in Iran, which will be described and analyzed in this paper.
Adopting a descriptive-analytical methodology, the present study was an attempt to describe the
architectural features of this complex through documents, field survey, and comparative
analysis.
Troglodytic architecture is the result of human interaction with the natural environment.
Examination of known evidence shows that it had been widespread in Iran. Rural architecture is
a manifestation of the livelihood of rural communities. The use of livestock spaces indicates the
reliance of the villagers’ livelihood on livestock. Creating cages in the form of hand-held spaces
is a model of traditional rural architecture in areas with cold climates. This common practice in
different parts of Iran is a function of local and indigenous characteristics, but despite social and
cultural differences, common executive methods have been used in their construction. In terms
of architectural typology, the handicrafts of the village of Baba can be categorized as troglodytic
mountain caves. These structures are formed by digging a sandstone bed. Their outline and
spatial organization are similar to those in other areas. It seems that the history of the
construction of these structures dates back to at least the Safavid period. Based on the study of
troglodytic cages, which are examined as an indicator in this article, they can be divided into
mountainous and plain spaces. Mountain caves usually lack a clear geometric order and are
formed on the basis of the earth's bed. Plain cages, on the other hand, are more orderly and have
good ventilation and light. Their access path is designed in a way to create temperature balance.
The division of the interior space to separate young animals is seen only in the example of Baba
cages. In terms of material and structure, the pits are dug in the bed of sandstones, volcanic
rocks, dense and compacted clay, and conglomerate rocks so that they can have high durability
and be less prone to degradation over time. In terms of location, the mountain caves are
organized individually below or next to the houses or in a centralized and grouped manner along
the edges of the textures. Cages built in a residential space have a separate entrance (Kandovan
Figure.29) or a common entrance shared with humans (Meymand Figure.30). The number and
size of cages depend on the number of livestock. They are located in such a way that they are
not in the path of floods and are created under the protection of natural forces. In terms of their
use, livestock spaces are classified into two groups: winter and summer cages. Winter pens are
created in the village while summer pens are made outside the pastures and are used seasonally.
Paying attention to the body and function of troglodytic cages will provide a better
understanding of the traditions of rural architecture and the system that governs them, which
represent an efficient model and the wise experiences that have led to the development and
prosperity of the village.
