Sociological Cultural Studies

Sociological Cultural Studies

Anthropological Analysis of the Role of Astronomical Towers and Minarets in Timekeeping and Spatial Orientation in the Islamic Era

Document Type : .

Author
Zohreh Ataei Ashtiani
Assistant Professor, Asian Cultural Documentation Center and Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies, Tehran, Iran.
10.30465/scs.2025.51329.2986
Abstract
Abstract
This article examines the anthropological and scientific functions of astronomical towers and minarets as dual-purpose edifices in the medieval Islamic world. The Islamic civilization of Western Asia — encompassing Iran, Iraq, the Levant (al-Shām), Armenia, and Afghanistan — experienced notable advances in scientific, cultural, and architectural domains during this period. Frequently perceived primarily as religious markers, these structures nonetheless played a pivotal role in the development of methods for temporal measurement (timekeeping) and spatial determination, and they embody a dynamic interaction between architectural innovation and social exigency. The study of astronomical towers and minarets therefore not only attests to the scientific achievements of Islamic civilization but also reveals the cultural and anthropological significance of these monuments. As both practical instruments and cultural symbols, these buildings reflect a society in which multiple fields of knowledge were integrally interwoven.
Keywords: astronomical tower, minaret, anthropology, timekeeping, spatial orientation, Islamic civilization.

Introduction
The concept of time and space played a fundamental role in the development of science, architecture, and astronomical knowledge in Islamic civilizations, particularly during the Middle Ages (10th to 12th centuries). Structures such as minarets, astronomical towers, and observatories were not only religious and social symbols but also served as precise scientific instruments for determining time and geographical location. The study of these structures reveals the deep interaction between science and architecture in the Islamic civilization and their impact on the advancement of astronomy and mathematics. This research focuses on analyzing the scientific and architectural role of these structures in West Asia.

Materials & Methods
This study employs a qualitative and analytical approach, relying on historical studies, textual analysis, and architectural evaluation. To assess the role of astronomical structures in timekeeping and spatial orientation, historical scientific texts, research articles, and case studies of significant towers and minarets in West Asia were examined. Specifically, the research analyzes the architecture and scientific function of observatories such as Maragheh, Ray, Shamasiya, and Qasioun, comparing them with historical astronomical data.

Discussion and Results
The findings reveal that minarets and astronomical towers, besides their religious and cultural functions, served as precise scientific instruments for determining prayer times, calculating daylight duration, and compiling astronomical tables (Zījes). The architectural analysis of these structures demonstrates extensive use of engineering principles and mathematics in their design. Minarets in mosques and trade routes acted not only as navigational markers but also played a crucial role in timekeeping through shadow observations, Qibla orientation, and measuring day length. Astronomical towers functioned as research centers for studying the motion of stars and celestial bodies.

Conclusion
This study highlights that the interaction between science and architecture in Islamic civilization led to the development of advanced timekeeping and spatial orientation techniques. Observatories and astronomical towers contributed to the advancement of astronomy and mathematics and served as models for scientific structures in the Islamic world and even in Europe. The research underscores the importance of preserving and studying these historical structures to better understand the role of science in Islamic civilizations. Furthermore, the findings can inform the redesign of modern scientific and cultural spaces inspired by historical structures.
Keywords
Astronomical tower
minaret
anthropology
timekeeping
spatial orientation
Islamic civilization
Subjects
 
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Sociological Cultural Studies
Volume 16, Issue 3 - Serial Number 57
Autumn 2025
Summer 2025
Pages 139-169

  • Receive Date 26 February 2025
  • Revise Date 16 March 2025
  • Accept Date 17 March 2025
  • Publish Date 22 November 2025