1. Calendric Structure of Niasar/ By: Reza.Moradi Ghiasabadi, 2008 Chartaqi of Niasar Persian Studies

2. Chartaqi of Niasar Specifications Name: Chartaqi Niasar (Squared-Base Arcs). Location: Niasar, West of Kashan, Isfahan Province, Iran (250 km from south of Tehran). Age: ~2000 years. Latitude: 33˚ 58.28′ N. Longitude: 51˚ 08.53′ E. Altitude: 1,760 meters. Altitude of the surrounding plain: 380 meters. Orientation of its plan: 11˚ from true north, eastward. Floor area measure: 142 m2. Height: 10.50 m. Length and Width: 11.90 m.

3. Chartaqi of Niasar Spans & Angles Chartaqi of Niasar constructed during the late Parthian or early Sassanian Dynasties' era. Its plan is square in shape. For the construction of this monument the ancient Persian (Iranian) architects used residual rocks. All sides of this Chartaqi like the other existing Chartaqis are open with no door or window. In the year 2000, author has proposed a theory about the function of Chartaqi of Niasar, as a calendar monument that works with sunlight. In summer and winter solstice the sunrays enter into the monument from different angles. There are, however, some theories that state that in ancient times Zorvanism used this place for their religious practices.

4. Chartaqi of Niasar Summer Solstice Sunrise Two lines for summer solstice at sunrise. Photography time: Five minutes after sunrise. Fig. 2.2 Fig. 2.1

5. Chartaqi of Niasar Winter Solstice Sunrise Mountain height on the horizon: 2˚. Photography time: Two minutes after sunrise. Fig. 2.4Fig. 2.3

6. Chartaqi of Niasar Summer Solstice Sunset Mountain height on the horizon: 9˚. Photography time: Ten minutes before the sunset. Fig. 2.5

7. Chartaqi of Niasar Winter Solstice Sunset Mountain height on the horizon: 7˚. Photography time: Two minutes before the sunset. Fig. 2.6

8. Chartaqi of Niasar Reminiscent For further detail refer to Nezam-e gahshomari dar Chartaqiha-ye Iran (The Time keeping in Persian Squared-Base Arcs), Tehran, 2001, (Published in Persian); Banaha-e taqvimi va nojumi-e Iran (The Persain Calendric Structure), Second edition, Tehran, 2002, (Published in Persian), by the author of this article. Reports: CAIS-SOAS / University of KashanCAIS-SOASUniversity of Kashan www.ghiasabadi.comwww.ghiasabadi.com / reza@ghiasabadi.com Every year Chartaqi of Niasar is hosting a large number of Iranians that gather there to cherish their ancestral way of life and to mark the observance of sunrise on summer and winter solstice.