Goor Dokhtar Mausoleum: Reasons for & Time of Construction, Naming Reason, Archeological Style, & Reasons of Abandonment

During Achaemenian Period, Bushehr province enjoyed special significance owing to its strategic location on Persian Gulf coast and the exceptional attention Achaemenians paid to marine commerce. Being adjacent to Fars province and having abundant natural resources had made Bushehr province even more important. As marine courses developed, Achaemenians found it more necessary than before to be present at the western frontier of Pars area, where Bushehr port is located now. Existence of three palaces inland Persian Gulf – especially at Dashtestan – and many other works found at different parts of Bushehr province is a clear indication of Achaemenians’ ruling over Persian Gulf. One of the valuable Achaemenian historical works at Southern Pars region and Bushehr province is the monument known as Goor Dokhtar Mausoleum (literally meaning the girl’s tomb), which is structurally very similar to the Mausoleum of Cyrus the Great in Pasargadae. The only two places in Iran where this type of architecture is used are Pasargadae and Bozpar region in Dashtestan. Through content analysis, comparison, and field research, the present study shows that this valuable monument was constructed about 5 centuries B.C; its name – which was given to it after Arabs’ invasion – probably signifies its being untouched and inaccessible to the strangers. Moreover, considering its sharp roof, the structure is of Elamite architecture. Finally, the reason behind its abandonment might have been that the route of the main road changed.