Geometric Reconstruction of Ribbed Domes Covering the Ishrat-Khana Mausoleum in Samarkand

Abstract

Ishrat-Khana Mausoleum in Samarkand, a Timurid artifact, represents a significant example of the 15th century with its ribbed domes, opening a new era in the region's architecture. However, it was surveyed only once by hand drawing and has been standing in ruins due to its geometric complexity. Subsequent restoration attempts, on the other hand, contain serious faults. This study is about the geometric reconstruction of Ishrat-Khana's superstructure to contribute to possible restorations. The study offers one of the first comprehensive studies on ribbed domes in Transoxania, filling a significant gap in the literature. The geometry of the ribbed domes has been analyzed according to some design parameters inspired by historical drawings. The analyses revealed that restorations in the central hall and the masjid contain methodical errors, while the restitution drawings are also incorrect for the southern hall and the basement. As a result, a specific formulation for drawing a potential comprehensive restoration has been proposed.