Hamideh Choubak, director of the archaeology team working on Tehran- Jiroft’s ancient city (Daqyanoos), said on Tuesday.
She told the IRNA that the findings indicate that the mosque has grown due to the growing population.
The altar was discovered during the current excavation, she said, adding that “we are continuing to excavate to find the remaining courtyard.”
The ancient city of Jiroft, also known as Dianus, dates back to the Safarid and Seljuk dynasties, which are associated with the Islamic period. It was a city that flourished a 200 year ago. It was added to the National Heritage List in 1966.
The ancient city of Giloft includes the citadel, bathhouses, bazaars, mosques, ceramic baking furnaces and cemeteries. Until 2017, only six excavation seasons were held in the ancient city of Giloft. A new excavation season began at the city’s mosque in late March 2025.
Choubak added that the mosque in Jiroft’s ancient city is considered to be the oldest mosque identified in the eastern Muslim countries. It was built during the second century AH on the orders of Ya’qub Ibn Layth Al-Saffar, founder of the Safarid Empire (861–1003).
She said that the spare section of the mosque was built during the Safarid period during the 3rd century AH. That changed during the Seljuk era. Brick and plaster decorations and inscriptions have been added to the mosque, she noted.
She added, “We will continue to excavate for several days and find the walls of Shabestan, courtyards and mosques.”
Choubak sets the main core of the ancient city of Giroft at 12 km, “the village stretches towards the small castle and the castle of Maran. Therefore it was a big city with many villages.”
She expressed hope that the excavation would continue. She said protection and renovations should be carried out in the event of continuing excavations.
If the new section of the recovered mosque has not been renovated, they will go under the soil, leading to destruction, she warned. Therefore, she added that the mosque does not have the necessary conditions for global registration.
She said the Carman Department of Cultural Heritage is working to protect and renovate the excavated area.
Giroft, symbols of identity, history, and civilization: Minister of Tourism
Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Crafts, Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri highlighted the global importance of the ancient civilization of Giroft and called for greater efforts to demonstrate its historical and cultural values to the world.
On a visit to the area in early March 2025, Salehiamiri stressed the need to preserve and promote the Giroft as a key centre for early human civilizations.
At a meeting of the Administrative Council in Jiroft, Salehi-Amiri highlighted the region’s deep historical roots, noting that Jiroft is not just a city, but a symbol of identity, history and civilization. “If other countries own such civilizations, they will build a national economy around them. Unfortunately, we have not yet fully presented the civilized values of Giroft to the world,” he said.
The Minister also emphasized the importance of the archaeological site of Konasandar, describing it as not more than just an excavation area, but as a cornerstone of Iran’s cultural identity. “Konar Sandal is not just a collection of bricks and soils. It represents Iran’s honor and historical fame. The site is one of the most important places in human history and requires a comprehensive plan for its preservation and promotion,” he said.
Jiroft International Conference on Civilization
One of the key initiatives highlighted by Salehi-Amiri was the organization of the 2025 International Conference on Jiroft Civilization. He described the event as an important step towards scientific and global recognition of Jiroft’s historical importance.
“Many archaeologists, both national and international, believe that the area may be the origin of human settlements. If this hypothesis is proven, it could challenge existing theories of placing Mesopotamia as a cradle of civilization, leading to revolution in the field of archaeology,” Salehiamiri said.
He called on local and national authorities, academics and community leaders to work together to ensure the success of this landmark event.
KD