Oltan Fortress and the Cultural Identity of the Mughan Plain: From Archaeology to Folk Culture

The Mughan Plain, one of the most significant cultural and historical zones in northwestern Iran, has long served as a crossroads of civilizations and ethnic groups. At its heart lies Oltan Fortress (Oltan Qalasi), covering approximately 70 hectares and ranking as the largest mudbrick archaeological site in northwestern Iran and one of the most prominent Sasanian-period settlements along the empire's northwestern frontiers. What has dramatically transformed the chronology of this site is the recent salvage excavation that uncovered an Iron Age cemetery (first millennium BCE) – the first tangible evidence of organised human presence at this location several centuries before the construction of the main Parthian and Sasanian fortifications. This discovery, alongside stratigraphic evidence, indicates that the occupational sequence of the site is considerably more complex and long-lasting than previously assumed. The later fortifications and structures, which constitute the bulk of today's visible remains, were built atop these earlier settlement deposits, revealing a remarkable pattern of long-term historical continuity. The site reached its zenith during the Sasanian period (224–651 CE), when the Mughan Plain formed part of the empire's strategic borderlands. Fortified cities such as Oltan Qalasi, with their advanced irrigation systems and regular urban layouts, epitomise a dynamic administrative-economic structure and a diverse population. Surface finds – including coins, ceramics, and architectural remains – attest to the region's full integration into the broader imperial networks. This article aims to investigate the role of Oltan Fortress in the formation and continuity of cultural identity among the inhabitants of the Mughan Plain, elucidating the connection between this historical monument and contemporary regional identity through two complementary lenses: archaeology and folk culture. Adopting a descriptive-analytical methodology, the study draws on library resources, archaeological reports, and ethnographic data. The findings reveal that the site was far more than a military structure; it functioned as a civilisational hub that, over two millennia, facilitated economic, social, and cultural interactions among diverse ethnic groups. Simultaneously, it has been deeply embedded in the collective memory and folk culture of the Mughan people – persisting through legends, popular beliefs, local songs, and symbolic rituals. The article concludes by identifying the major challenges facing the site alongside opportunities such as UNESCO World Heritage nomination and international research collaboration. It emphasises the urgent need to redefine the site's position within regional cultural policy, asserting that its preservation is a vital step toward strengthening cultural identity and reconnecting present generations with their historical roots.