TEHRAN - A conference on the historical observatories and astronomical manuscripts known as zijes was held this evening at the main hall of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts.

The event marks the first in a series of conferences focusing on historical monuments and shared cultural heritage in Iran, Mehr reported.

The conference brought together researchers in the fields of the history of science, historians, archaeologists, and geographers.

The discussions revolved around a wide range of topics, including historical observatories in Iran and the greater cultural region; the development of astronomy in the country and the contributions of prominent Iranian scholars to astronomy and cosmology in the Islamic world; and the role of Iranian observatories and zijes in advancing global astronomical knowledge.

Translation and commentary on Greek scientific texts by Iranian scholars; geographical studies of observatories in Iran and the Islamic world; architectural style and geometry of observatories; prospects for Iranian astronomical research as well as preservation, restoration, and revival of astronomical sites and artifacts were among the topics discussed.

The conference, conducted in both Persian and English, featured presentations from prominent academics. Nader Karimian Sardashti, a distinguished historian, served as the scientific secretary of the event.

A special volume compiling the conference papers will be published, further contributing to the scholarship on this topic.

According to organizers, the event highlighted the significance of Iranian observatories and zijes in the development of astronomy, showcasing Iran’s role as a key player in the global history of science. A zij refers to an Islamic astronomical text that contains tables for calculating the positions of celestial bodies, including the sun, moon, stars, and planets.

One of the well-known historical observatories in Iran is located in Maragheh, a must-see destination for people interested in medieval astronomy.

Construction of the site commenced in the mid-13th century under the patronage of Hulagu Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan, who selected Persian polymath Nasir al-Din al-Tusi as the director of the observatory.

Experts say ideas initiated by the Maragheh school created a considerable impact beyond the Islamic territories and influenced the astronomical revolution of the 16th century.

AM