Anthropology Museum of South of Sahand

Anthropology museums are places that introduce beliefs, customs, language, livelihood, food, clothing, housing, techniques and arts, and tools and equipment of people’s lives. What is displayed in these museums are some aspects of people’s lives that may not be easily noticeable in their daily way of living. The difference in the way of life of different Iranian communities of different regions is so great that it can be described as a rainbow of customs and beliefs. This diversity is the result of climatic, geographical, ethnic, and cultural differences. For this reason, museums with the title of “Anthropology” have been established all over Iran to display the different aspects of the culture and lifestyle of the people of each region. “Anthropology Museum of South of Sahand” is also an attempt and a venue for displaying the various aspects of the life of hardworking and diligent people who have lived with nature for centuries and got used to it.

Where Is the Anthropology Museum of South of Sahand Located?

This museum is located in an old building known as Hamam-e Mehrabad (Mehrabad Bathhouse). In the past and before the expansion of urban facilities and public access to piped water supply and home bathrooms, this bathhouse was one of the most important centers for providing health services to the people of Bonab. Due to the high cost of supplying fuel and the difficulty of transporting water, the old bathhouses were designed in such a way that they would be most efficient with regard to water consumption and heat retention.

Because of the importance of cleanliness in Islam, bathhouses were considered important places from a social point of view, and the utmost engineering and architectural knowledge and skills of each era were used in their construction. In addition, the presence of high humidity in the environment made it necessary to be more careful in the construction and design of the bathhouses. All these points are well evident in the construction of the Mehrabad Bathhouse. The size of this bathhouse is 324 square meters and is made of bricks, stones, and Sarroj (a kind of mortar). The use of Sarooj, which is one of the old types of mortars used in Iranian architecture, along with the lime coating of all building components, has given great strength to the building. Covered with stone plinths and red bricks, the exterior of the building stands out beautifully.

According to some sources, Mehrabad Bathhouse was founded in the Safavid era (16th century AD), and later on, several restoration operations were carried out on this building. In 1996 AD Bonab Municipality bought the bathhouse from its owner and handed it over to the Cultural Heritage Organization of the province for restoration. The restoration operation of the building was completed in 2003 AD and the bath was changed into a museum and was given the title of the Anthropology Museum of East Azarbaijan Province. This building is located in front of Mehrabad Mosque. This mosque is also of historical value and according to the inscription found in it, it was built in 951 AH (1544 AD). This date coincides with the reign of the Safavid king, Shah Tahmasap I. One of the most important parts of this mosque is its beautiful column capitals, which according to some experts, is one of the most beautiful manifestations of Iranian art of the Safavid era. Mehrabad Mosque and Mehrabad Bathhouse were inscribed on the list of Iran’s national heritage in the years 1968 and 1999 AD respectively.

Features and Different Sections of the Anthropology Museum of South of Sahand

Like other anthropological museums, this museum seeks to introduce the customs and lifestyle of the people of the region and displays the tools, clothes, and daily activities of the people of Hashtrud, Maragheh, Bonab, Ajabshir, and Malekan cities. The museum has 12 sections, which have been arranged according to the use of tools and equipment and activities related to people’s lives. The 12 sections of the museum are:

• Musical instruments

• Textile industry

• Lighting

• Jewelry

• Clothing

• Funeral

• Traditional medicine

• Prayers and talismans

• Agricultural tools

• Traditional handwoven fabrics

• Blacksmithing

• Different water containers