Evolution of the Guardian in Iranian Architecture from the Elamite Period to the End of Sassanid Based on Anthropological Perspective

Architecture is the volumetric manifestation of human spiritual and physical needs. In order to protect himself, man has created an architectural context and over time has used symbols to better equip it against tangible and non- tangible external attacks. The present study aims to identify the evolution of the guardian in the context of Iranian architecture from Elamite to the end of Sassanid Era. The research questions are how the evolution of the guardian has been in the context of Iranian architecture And what elements have been used for this purpose. The nature of this research is fundamental and its approach is descriptive historical. The data have been collected through field activities and documental sources. The findings indicate that the process of using guard elements without time interruption have been in center of recognition and from visual representations such as statues and reliefs to inscriptions and magic-medicine ones.