High in the Zagros Mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan, archaeologists have unearthed a fascinating duality at the Rabana-Merquly mountain fortress. While its imposing fortifications suggest a military stronghold, recent discoveries hint at a more spiritual purpose – a potential sanctuary dedicated to the water goddess Anahita.
Dr. Michael Brown, leading the excavations for the University of Heidelberg, points to several key findings. One is the presence of architectural structures nestled beside a natural waterfall. Nearby, a possible fire altar carved into the rock face hints at a place of worship. These features, combined with the reverence for Anahita during the Parthian period (roughly 2nd to 1st centuries BCE), make a compelling case for a dedicated sanctuary.
Anahita, a central figure in Zoroastrianism, embodied all Earth’s waters. Often depicted as a stunning woman connected to waterfalls and flowing streams, her cult flourished in western Iraq during the time Rabana-Merquly was occupied.
Further strengthening the theory is the location of the sanctuary within Rabana Valley. Here, at the headwaters of a seasonal waterfall, monumental stone structures were built, seemingly designed to integrate with the natural flow of water. This proximity to the waterfall is significant, as Dr. Brown explains, because fire and water were deeply intertwined elements in pre-Islamic Persian religion.
The discovery in 2022 of two distinctive burial vessels, radiocarbon dated to the Parthian era, further supports the theory. Their presence suggests the shrine was already established when the surrounding fortifications were built. Dr. Brown even proposes the possibility of a pre-existing shrine, later incorporated into the Anahita cult – a move that might have been crucial for establishing the mountaintop stronghold.
While the lack of directly comparable archaeological finds prevents definitive confirmation of an Anahita sanctuary, the Rabana complex offers a captivating glimpse into the religious and political landscape of the Parthian era. This mountaintop sanctuary, integrating both military might and spiritual reverence, paints a richer picture of life in this ancient civilization.
The paper is published in the journal Iraq.