The Communication Route between Shapurkhashat and Hamedan: A Study based on Archaeological Evidence and Textual Sources

Lorestan province, located in western Iran, has historically played a significant role in connecting the southern, western, northwest, and central regions of the country. Over time, numerous important communication routes have traversed this region. While textual sources from the Islamic era mention these routes, their specific paths, the number and quality of structures along the way, and the archaeological evidence of their routes remain largely unexplored. This research aims to identify and introduce the communication path between Shapurkhashat and Nahavand, examining its archaeological evidence. The study adopts a historical approach, utilizing field visits and library research to answer two main questions: 1) What archaeological evidence exists along the route from Shapurkhashat to Nahavand during the Islamic era? 2) How did this road develop during the Islamic era, and what changes occurred? The findings suggest that the road follows an ancient route with minor alterations in the Islamic era, and its houses and stations have seen minimal changes until the present day.