Study and Introduction of Novel Arch- Construction Method during Median Era on Noshijan Hill at Malayer City

One of the most ambiguous historical periods in Iran is Median Era so that the Median architecture has a lot of unknown aspects. Noshijan Hill in Malayer City is one of the foremost historical zones of Media where its main settlement includes a time period ranged from 750 to 650 BC. This zone has been explored by a British team headed by Dr. David Stronach; as a result, some of valuable constructions in this region were discovered so that to contribute extremely to identify Median Architecture. The discovery of buildings is greatly important because of their special sustainability and other unique characteristics. One of the architectural specifications of this region is its novel arch- construction that has not been already identified in any other area. The mentioned archs had been constructed by application of sequenced rows of arch or mud waffle slabs. Each of these archs comprises of two semi- arches so their lower ends are placed on a support in longitudinal walls while their upper ends will place on the head of this arch. These waffle slabs were made from a fine mud and often reinforced by reed. After Median period and during Achaemenid and Arsacides Empires, this technique of arch- construction was also continued and followed by several methods up to later periods in Iranian traditionsal architecture.