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Lorestan province

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Lorestan is a province located in the western part of Iran.

Lorestan
Lorestan

It sits within the rugged Zagros Mountains. The province covers a total area of 28,392 square kilometers. It lies in a scenic valley surrounded by high mountains. The region is situated approximately 100 kilometers east of the Iraqi border. Khorramabad serves as the capital city of the province. This city is also the largest Luri-speaking city in the world.

The history of Lorestan is deeply connected to the Ancient Near East. During the 3rd and 4th millennium BC, migrant tribes settled in the Zagros Mountains. One ancient group was the Kassites. They originated in Lorestan and spoke neither an Indo-European nor a Semitic language. The Kassites eventually controlled Babylonia from roughly 1531 BC until 1155 BC. Later, the Iranian Medes invaded and settled parts of the region during the 2nd millennium BC. The Medes absorbed the indigenous people, including the Kassites and the Gutians. By the 1st millennium BC, the Persians had conquered the area.

Archaeologists have found many treasures that reveal the region's ancient past. One famous tradition is the creation of Luristan bronze. These metal artworks are often dated between 1000 and 650 BC. They are known for a vigorous style that often represents animals.

Disc-headed pin zoom (2) Bronze Beaker Luristan 1000 BC (Rietberg museum)
Disc-headed pin zoom (2) Bronze Beaker Luristan 1000 BC (Rietberg museum)

However, the tradition of bronze-making actually began much earlier. It dates back to the mid-3rd millennium BC. Many of these early objects were made during the Elam period. Today, these bronze artifacts are held in museums all over the world.

Scientists study these ancient objects through metallurgical analysis. This means they examine the chemical makeup of the metal. Researchers have analyzed grave goods from several important cemeteries. These sites include Kalleh Nisar, Bani Surmah, and Chigha Sabz. Some cemeteries date to the Bronze Age, around 2900 to 2000 BC. Others date to the Iron Age, between 1300 BC and 600 BC. These studies help experts understand how metalworking techniques changed over time.

Cave painting in Doushe cave, Lorstan, Iran, 8th millennium BC
Cave painting in Doushe cave, Lorstan, Iran, 8th millennium BC

The political history of Lorestan changed significantly during the Qajar era. From 1794 to 1925, the Qajar dynasty had a difficult impact on the region. The rulers used a policy called divide and rule to pit tribes against each other. They appointed non-local governors who were not native to Lorestan. These governors often lacked the armed forces needed to maintain order. This led to political instability and economic decline. It also caused a rise in pastoral nomadism. This is a way of life where people move with their herds. As the state failed to protect property, many settled people had to join nomadic tribes.

In the 1920s, the establishment of Pahlavi Iran brought more conflict. Reza Shah wanted to modernize the country and change tribal relationships. He viewed nomadic pastoralism as an obstacle to progress. This led to wars in the spring of 1922. The Beiranvand tribe was one of the most active in resisting the state. They fought the government in the Silakhor Plain near Borujerd. In 1924, several tribes joined together in a massive attack. They besieged the city of Khorramabad for 38 days. Eventually, the state conquered the region through alliances with certain tribes.

Today, Lorestan is home to a diverse population of people. The name of the province means "land of the Lurs." Most residents are Lurs who speak the Northern Luri language. In the northern counties, you will find many Kurds. The Lak tribe is a major Kurdish group in the area. In 1980, Laks were estimated to be over 65% of the population. The province is divided into many different counties, such as Borujerd and Dorud. According to the 2016 census, the population was 1,760,649 people. Over 64% of these people live in urban cities.

Oshtoran kuhj
Oshtoran kuhj
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🖼️ Images & Media (5)
File:Cave painting in Doushe cave, Lorstan, Iran, 8th millennium BC.JPG
Cave painting in Doushe cave, Lorstan,...
File:Disc-headed pin zoom (2) Bronze Beaker Luristan 1000 BC (Rietberg museum).JPG
Disc-headed pin zoom (2) Bronze Beaker...
File:پل کشکان.jpg
پل کشکان.jpg
File:Lorestan.svg
Lorestan.svg
File:Oshtoran kuhj.jpg
Oshtoran kuhj.jpg
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