Ali Abad Castle in Sirjan: Spatial Structure, Form, Utilization and Chronology

Geographical features, security needs, and the social structure of the inhabitants of ancient Iran necessitated the construction of enclosed settlements equipped with defense facilities. Ali Abad Castle is one of the large and prominent settlements of the Sirjan plain, whose ruins are located near Shah Abad village. Since no research has been conducted on the castle, the spatial structure, period of prosperity, and social organization of its inhabitants, its picture remains shrouded in ambiguity. This research aims to answer these questions while studying the spatial structure, utilization, and chronology of this settlement: What were the architectural features used in this building, and what was its form and use? Based on the available cultural evidence, to which period does this site belong? To achieve this goal, the study seeks to address the research questions and clarify the construction and prosperity timeline by analyzing the architectural features and cultural findings discovered in the area. This research was conducted using a descriptive-analytical method and field data. The findings indicate that this castle, located in the agricultural lands of the Sirjan Plain, characterized by its spatial arrangement and architectural features, is an example of the manor castles in southeastern Iran. It was constructed during the Safavid period and remained in use until the Qajar periods.