Esfanjerd, A Buried Ancient City in the Majumerd Dunes, Yazd Province

The arid desert climate of Yazd province, with its endless flowing sand dunes, has led to the creation of special conditions for human settlements in this part of Iran. Throughout history, the lack of water, the dry land and air, the scorching sun, and especially the movement of flowing sands in the Yazd-Ardakan plain, have been constant threats for the cities and villages in this region. Esfanjerd, extending over ca. 85 hectares, is located in the northern part of the township of Majumerd, Ashkazar district, in the province of Yazd. According to the cultural materials collected from the surface and historical comparative studies the site appears to have been buried under the sands dunes during early Safavid period. Based on the surface material and comparative studies, the 5th to the 9th century AH (Seljuk to early Safavid dynasty) is the suggested chronology for the site. Esfanjerd is located next to the main route from the south to north of Iran, i.e., from Fars to Khorasan via Esfahan, and according to the historical documents, due to the existence of numerous qanats and a strategic location, it was an important region. Old aerial photographs, the scattering of cultural materials on the surface, and the remains of the mudbrick architecture at the site indicate the presence of a very rich settlement from the Seljuk dynasty, in this area. The residential spaces and the walls of the surrounding gardens demonstrate the prosperity of life in this area.