Handicrafts of Great Khorasan

Handicrafts of Great Khorasan

Visual and Semantic Analysis of the Lithograph on Gravestones in Golmakan Village, Mashhad

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
fahimeh hassanzadeh 1
alireza sheikhi 2
1 M.A. in Islamic Art, Ferdows Institute of Higher Education, Mashhad, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Handicrafts, Faculty of Applied Arts, University of Arts, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/hgj.2026.557597.1052
Abstract
The village of Golmakan has a long historical legacy, and from an archaeological perspective, it occupies a distinctive position within the Tus Plain. The village contains two large and ancient cemeteries that provide valuable insights into the symbolism of gravestones and the belief and cultural worldviews of the region’s inhabitants. The aim of this article is to conduct a visual and semantic analysis of the form, motifs, and inscriptions of the Golmakan gravestones. Accordingly, the central research question is: what forms and motifs characterize the gravestones of this village, and what themes or meanings do they convey? The research methodology is descriptive-analytical. Initially, through field studies, all gravestones within the cemeteries were examined and photographed. Subsequently, supplementary data were collected from library sources. In total, 107 gravestones from the two cemeteries were documented, of which 75 were selected for detailed study due to their distinctive characteristics. The primary criteria for selection included differences in form, color, dimensions, and engraved motifs. The findings indicate that most of the gravestones are made of granite and schist in the form of rough, unhewn slabs. Depending on the social status, personal characteristics, and life of the deceased, the stones incorporate various inscriptions and motifs. The content of the inscriptions typically introduces the deceased and includes poetry, Qur’anic verses, and sayings attributed to the Ahl al‑Bayt concerning the serenity of the eternal realm, or expressions of elegiac mourning. The gravestones may therefore be regarded as an extensive repository of information on the region's history, culture, beliefs, and past. For this reason, greater efforts should be undertaken to preserve and safeguard such valuable cultural heritage.
Keywords
Mashhad
Golmakan village
gravestone
visual and semantic analysis
Subjects
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  • Receive Date 17 September 2025
  • Revise Date 30 September 2025
  • Accept Date 12 November 2025