The Earliest Architectural Remains of the Islamic Era in Kashan: Form, Structure, and Construction Technique of the Minaret of the Jame‘ Mosque

The architectural remains of the past can be studied from different perspectives and with different approaches. Architectural form, structures, construction techniques, decorations and details of buildings, and their evolution through time are general issues that can be examined. In addition to the monuments, some elements of historical architecture are also worthy of consideration because of their unique and interesting features. This article specifically deals with the minaret of the Jame‘ Mosque of Kashan, which is considered to be the earliest dated building in Kashan of the Islamic period. The stability of this building through centuries despite numerous earthquakes in Kashan justifies this study. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to research the historical background of the minaret and carry out detailed documentation of its various components, examine the structure of each of these components, examine the structural form and the flow of forces, and finally perform a seismic analysis. To reach this purpose, a significant part of the research data was collected at the site of the Jame‘ Mosque of Kashan by surveying the minaret, and library and oral sources were used to control the field data and provide the history of the minaret. The main strategy of the research is descriptive-analytical. The seismic analysis of the minaret was performed using SAP2000 software. The results of this study show that some of the measures taken in the construction of the mosque’s minaret (dating to the Seljuq period as attested in its inscription) include: the tapering form of the minaret, decreasing thickness of its components by increasing height, decreased rigidity of construction, incorporation of two empty spaces for staircases, and the incorporation of wood in the construction. It is for such architectural arrangements that the minaret has remained intact from serious damage over the centuries.