"Iwan" An analytical Study of Rooting and Associated Architectural Elements in Ancient Civilizations

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Ph.D. and Archaeologist in Sohag Antiquities Area - Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities – Egypt.

Abstract

The study aims to research, investigate and uncover the roots of the term through analytical and rooting study to show the architectural elements associated with that in ancient civilizations. The term 'Iwan', the plural form are 'Iwans', the roots of this term go back to ancient civilizations such as; ancient Egyptian civilization,  architecture of the Ptolemaic era, Parthian architecture of Persia, Sasanian architecture, then Coptic architecture and Islamic mosques and schools. Iwan had an important architectural element in the design of mosques and Islamic schools. It is a vaulted hall with a front open to a foyer or a courtyard by an arch and the back is closed, and as a square or rectangular architectural unit with a flat or vaulted ceiling. The dictionaries confirm that the 'Iwan' is of Persian origin. The term 'Iwan' appeared in Persia during the reign of Emperor Darius I (522-486 BC). It continued as a distinctive architectural element in Persia for the Parthian architecture (247 BC - 224 AD) and for the Sasanian architecture (224 AD - 651 AD). It was called (â-pâd-ânâ), Iwan-Ivan. But it is possible that the 'Iwan' had roots that are older linguistically and architecturally, where the term 'Iwnn' was used in the ancient Egyptian civilization from the eighteenth dynasty (15th Century B.C.) until the Ptolemaic period to denote the shrine of the temple. It was designed closed on three sides and open to the courtyard or hall of the temple and its roof is either flat or vaulted. As well as the term 'Iwnyt', this means colonnaded hall (from the column - Iwn). Perhaps 'Iwnn', as a term and an architectural element was transmitted from Egypt to Persia by Egyptian artists and craftsmen, those who were transferred to the Persian capital during the rule of Emperor Darius I to construct his architectural buildings.

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