DAMGHAN

town, northern Iran. It lies at an elevation of 3,900 feet (1,200 m), just southeast of the Elburz Mountains on a large, barren gravel plain. It is on the road and railway between Tehran and Meshed. Possibly the oldest mosque in Iran, the Tarik Khaneh (c. 9th century), and several tomb towers of the Seljuq period still stand in the town. Archaeological excavations at nearby Tappa Hisar (Tepe Hissar) reveal occupation from prehistoric times through the Sasanian period. Damghan was an important town and capital of the medieval province of Qumis but was destroyed by Afghans in 1723. The town trades in pistachios and almonds. Pop. (1986) 34,057.