User:Catihill/Maragheh observatory

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Excavation and findings:

The Maragheh observatory was excavated by the Iranian archeologist Parviz Varjavand who was commissioned by the Ministry of Science and Higher education as well as the University of Tehran and the University of Tabriz to conduct the excavations of the ruins of Maragheh. Before this excavation there had been no detailed on-site research done in this location.

The excavation started in 1972 on the hill north-west of the town Maraghe where Varjavand discovered the remains of the central tower along with nine other building remnants which were related to the observatory, including a well which provided water for the site. He also found carved and engraved stones as well as pieces of brick and tile which were used for ornamentation of some of the buildings. Coins from the IIkhanid period as well as fragments of glass were also discovered during the excavation.

On the west side of the hill, Vajavand also came across the so-called the Rasadkhana caves with some tunnel-shaped corridors within temple-like rock structures which are believed to have served as spaces for religious ceremonies of Buddhists who visited the observatory during the Ilkhanid period.

The Celestial globe (which was not part of the excavation) is likely to have been an astronomical instrument that was used at the observatory. It was acquired in 1562 by Augustus, Elector of Saxony. It is made out brass with silver and gold inlay and was likely crafted around 1300 by Muhammad, the son of of Mu'aiyadaddin al-Urdi who’s signature can be found on the globe. Muwayyad-al-Urdi the Elder was one of the key scientists at the observatory and an assistant to Nasir al-Din al-Tusi. [5] The globe is on display at Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon of Dresden.

(Photo of the globe: probably not possible

With caption: Copy of the Arabic Globe in Dresden executed in 1995 by Günther Oestmann for the Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Sciences (Frankfurt a. M., Germany), mounted in a stand for measuring and marking ecliptical coordinates)

Recent activities:

In recent years the world community has shown greater interest in the historical significance of this site. A dome shaped cover has been built to protect the remnants of the observatory, and plans have been made to exhibit astronomical devices that were used there. Tabriz University, which is located nearby, has been responsible for the management and protection of the Maragheh site since the late 70's. [6] In collaboration with the municipality of Maragheh there have been some of the recent renovations conducted (August 2022) [7].