Connectivity in Southern Fars in the Early Sasanian Period. Ardashir Xwarrah and the Persian Gulf Inland and Coastal Areas

The links between the area of Fars centred on Firuzabad and the Persian Gulf coastal region are investigated through a careful analysis of archaeological evidence. In particular the author advances the hypothesis that the monumental remains discovered by A. Askari Chaverdi at Tomb-e Bot (Mohr district) and dated by him to the end of the Arsacid period, may be in fact attributed to the reign of Ardashir I, because of the similar use of architectural elements of evident Achaemenid inspiration which are present in Ardashir's building at Qal'a-ye Dokhtar and Palace of Ardashir in Firuzabad area. Furthermore, given that the port of Siraf starts only after the 5th century AD and given that the only natural passage from Mohr valley towards the Persian Gulf presenting less difficulty lies further south and links the Mohr valley with the region of Gavbandi, ending to the West on the gulf of Nâyband, the author suggest to look for the port of the 3rd and 4th century AD in this gulf.