Siraf

Siraf (also Siraf, Bandar -e Siraf, Bandar -e Taheri, Bandar -i Tahiri, Tahiri, Taheri, Tabiri ) (Persian سیراف ), was a port and an important early Islamic trade center on the coast of the Persian Gulf in the province today Bushehr in Iran. The ruins of the town are located about 220 km south of the city of Bushehr and 380 km west of Bandar Abbas near the modern town of the same name.

History

The first contact between Siraf and China took place at the time of the Parthians around 185 AD In the 4th century, the city was already a busy port and between the 8th and the end of the 10th century, it was probably one of the most prosperous cities in the world. According to David Whitehouse, one of the first archaeologists who uncovered the ruins of the port city from 1966 to 1973, was flourishing maritime trade between the Persian Gulf and the eastern countries due to the strong increase in trade of consumer and luxury goods.

The Persian Gulf was used as a route between the Arabian Peninsula and India over the Arabian Sea. Small vessels, such as the dhow could cope with the long distance, by keeping within sight of the mainland on the coast.

Over time, the port lost its importance and the trade routes laid on the Red Sea. The port was destroyed against 970 AD.

Finds

Among the archaeological finds of the harbor city include in addition to numerous pieces of pottery and glass bowls ivory objects from east Africa, from India stones and lapis lazuli from Afghanistan.

After White House, the oldest mosque Sirafs dates from the 9th century. He found ruins of a community mosque, which was surrounded by several others. Other ruins are of houses extraordinarily rich merchants who frequented with an international clientele. Particularly influential were those from Southern India, have been extensively catered for during their visits. Records of dining plates, which were provided for them to tell the tale.