In theory, it should have long ago turned into ruins. But, oddly enough, it was well preserved. Surprisingly for a country where no generation has grown up without war, earthquakes and floods are common, and dynasties change like players at a card table.
Afghanistan. Alpine and dangerous province of Gur (Gore). It was in this rocky area that the Russian-Afghan border commission, headed by an English colonel, discovered an old tower in 1886. The first photos and publications in the press appeared in 1943-1944. And in the late fifties, French archaeologists managed to conduct surface studies of the minaret.
A little later, the baton was picked up by the Italian architect Andrea Bruno, who examined not only the tower, but also the surrounding area. Several more more or less full-fledged studies in 2003 and 2005 were carried out by Western archaeologists. Later, only a few daredevils tried to get to the Jam minaret. Some even succeeded.
The minaret was built in 1194, during the short reign of the Gurid dynasty. There is an opinion that it was in this place that the capital of the Gurids - Firuzkuh was.
The building material was thin fired brick. The height of the tower is 65 meters, which makes it the second highest historical minaret made of baked brick after the Indian Qutb Minar.
Top of the minaret.
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The three tiers rest on a sturdy octagonal base. The first tier is decorated with patterns and text from the Koran. Inside, two spiral staircases, intertwining with each other, rise to a height of almost 40 meters. They lead somewhere down. But where, it was not possible to find out.
Remains of a Muslim and Jewish cemetery, destroyed fortress walls, a large water cistern were found nearby.
There are many pits and trenches around. The results of the work of "black" archaeologists who are not afraid of anything. Well, let it be that way, through the “black” market and private collections, some secrets and treasures of the Gurid civilization will be saved. The Jam minaret is gradually collapsing, and it is not known how much is left for it. Archaeological research has not yet begun and is unlikely to begin anytime soon. And the Afghans don't seem to care. The war continues.