Excavations at the Jahānnamā complex: urban archaeology at Isfahan, Iran

Recent excavations at the Jahānnamā complex in Isfahan, Iran, have uncovered significant insights into the urban development of the city during the Safavid dynasty (AD 1501–1722), particularly under Shah Abbas I. The study revealed that a new avenue or boulevard, known as the Charbagh (Ḵiyābān-e Čahārbāğ), was constructed between AD 1595 and 1596. This boulevard not only served as a leisure attraction outside the city walls but also connected key institutions of the capital, reflecting the strategic urban planning of the era. The research utilized archaeological methods to explore the historical layers of Isfahan, providing a deeper understanding of its architectural and urban evolution during this pivotal period.

Esfahani, A. S., Aarab, A., Arab, E. A., Kalantar, S., Hadi, Z., & Hashemi, F. (2017). Excavations at the Jahānnamā complex: urban archaeology at Isfahan, Iran. Antiquity, 91(355). https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2016.230