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The unique Median (800 BC) excavation is the first of
several important sites along the Southern loop from
Hamadan to near Kermanshah.
Median's oldest Fire Temple is located here. Noushijan
mound rises conspicuously at the center of flat bowl
ringed by hills, and is within sight of Hamadan-Malayer
road, just under 15 km before Malayer.
The temple and adjacent fort, erected in 8th century BC,
are brought to have been abandoned after 6th century
perhaps briefly reoccupied in the first century BC.
What these building show is the growing architectural
sophistication of Median, settling in their new homeland,
on Iranian plateau.
The triangular temple room is part of lozenge-shaped floor
plan for the central building, and is decorated with blind
windows and recessed crosses. Fire altar is visible on
West side of the room.
Among the objects discovered at Nusheh-Jan was copper
bowl, filled with over 200 silver items, such as spiral
beads, ingots and scraps of metal.
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