The Ziyarids (or Zeyarids) were an Iranian dynasty that ruled in the Caspian Sea provinces of Gorgan (or Jorjan) and Mazandaran (Tabarestan) from 928-1043. The founder of the dynasty was Mardaviz Ebne Ziyar (from 927 to 935), who took advantage of a rebellion in the Samanid army of Iran to seize power in northern Iran. He soon expanded his domains and captured the cities of Hamadan and Esfahan.
Perhaps among the more interesting things from this era is that we know that Al-Biruni, the great scientist of the middle ages, was supported by Qaboos, the ruler of the Ziyarid state, in 11th century CE in Gorgan. In fact he dedicated his work Chronology to Qaboos around 11th century CE and observed eclipses of the moon from there.
Another significant feature of this era is the tower (or tomb) Gonbad-e Qaboos (or mile Qaboos). The tomb is one of the earliest architectural monuments with a dated inscription surviving in post-Islamic Iran. The inscription reads:
"In the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful; this Tower was built by the Amir Shams ol-Moali, son of the Amir, Qaboos son of Voshmgir, who ordered it built during his lifetime in the lunar year 397 and the solar year 385" (1007CE)
The tomb, built of baked brick, is an enormous cylinder capped by a conical roof. The circular plan, broken by 10 flanges, is 17m in diameter, and the walls are 3m thick. The height from base to tip is 50m. According to some legend, the body of Qaboos in a glass coffin was suspended by chains from the interior dome inside the tower.
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