Structural Dimensions of Agricultural Heritage of Dasht-e-kashan; Investigating into Historical Mansions and Buildings of Farms of Aran and Bidgol and Noosh Abad

Agriculture has been a widespread activity in Kashan since a long time ago which has developed traditions and local skills. The said traditions and skills of earning living from farming has created a system which could be recognized as an agricultural heritage due to its values. This heritage possesses significant structural dimensions; as the form and feature of farms as well as their location and related buildings are noteworthy. The surveys indicate that many farms which might be fenced or unfenced could be consisted of buildings which are built inside or outside the farms. Apart from the buildings inside the fenced farms which are connected to the fence as well, types of farming mansions are recognizable which are located inside a fenced farm or among series of unfenced farms. At this moment, many of these buildings are forgotten or being destroyed. The values hidden in the agricultural heritage of the district as well as the traces in buildings indicating the mode of farming and working on farms highlight the necessity for further attention to and preservation of these buildings. Accordingly, first we should address the question of what are the common features in the buildings and farming mansions as one of the critical elements in describing the structural dimensions of the agricultural heritage of the district? This paper focuses on addressing this question and aims at recognizing some of these valuable buildings and stressing the necessity for preservation of the agricultural perspective of this district. The main part of this study has been carried out on the basis of field observation and analysis. It has been attempted to provide and evaluate the findings using library sources as well as reviewing aerial photographs. The findings of the study indicate that the surveyed farms consist of buildings inside or outside their fence. These buildings were built as mansions which provided the grounds for taking advantage of the landscapes inside the farm or plain.