Analysis and relative dating of the Chehel-Paye intersection complex of Tabas county

From the past until now, one of the requirements of intercity roads for caravans or travelers has been the existence of service and welfare buildings with different functions. In the past, these buildings mostly included single buildings such as caravanserai's, chaparrs and water reservoirs. However, in a few areas of Iran, service and welfare buildings have been identified that are composed of several different structures with different uses. These buildings are generally built in areas with unfavorable weather conditions. Such as hot and dry desert or semi-desert areas. One of these identified buildings is Chehel-paye, which is located on the ancient Khorasan-Kerman road. This building complex, which includes a caravanserai, water reservoir, Payab, etc. This complex is located at the southern end of Deihuk section of Tabas county and inside Lut desert. Not much research has been done on this collection so far. Only a brief plan of the caravanserai is drawn and a brief description of the structure is given; But no information has been published about its various other spaces, their function and other cases. However, this complex was of great importance in the study of architectural history due to two reasons for having various structures with various uses and its multi-period construction stages, and it was necessary to pay more attention to it. Accordingly, the main objectives of the present study include reviewing and comparing the works of this collection, identifying their possible use and approximate dating of each of its buildings. The method of the present research is descriptive-analytical and the method of data collection is a combination of field and library studies. In the present study, while identifying the function of all buildings, it was found that the buildings of this complex, from guide bars to reservoirs and caravanserai's, had all service functions, but probably in two or more different time periods from the 10th to the 19th century AD. have been built.