Journal of Archaeological Studies

Radiocarbon dating is a fundamental method employed in archaeological, historical, and paleographic research to determine the chronological framework of findings. This article discusses ... Read More Radiocarbon dating is a fundamental method employed in archaeological, historical, and paleographic research to determine the chronological framework of findings. This article discusses the results of radiocarbon dating analyses conducted on human remains recovered from six graves excavated during the fourth season of the Mersinchal Archaeological Project. The Mersinchal Cemetery is located in Telajim Village, Mehdi Shahar County, Semnan Province, Iran. Four seasons of archaeological excavations have been conducted at this site, leading to the proposal of a relative dating for the cemetery, attributed to the late first millennium BC, based on the analysis of the findings. This article adopts a research methodology that integrates both fieldwork and laboratory analysis. During the fieldwork phase, burial practices and graves Finds were carefully examined and systematically documented. Human samples were selected for further scientific analysis. In the laboratory phase, six human skeletal samples discovered during the fourth season of excavations at the Mersinchal cemetery were analyzed for absolute dating using radiocarbon (14C) techniques and employing the Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) method. The main purpose of this article is to establish an absolute chronology for the Mersinchal cemetery and answer some fundamental questions, including: To which cultural periods does this cemetery belong? What do burial practices and the associated findings within the graves? And what insights can be gained about their diet? The radiocarbon dating results indicate that this cemetery was used between 409 BC to 51 BCE, corresponding to Achaemenid, Seleucid, and Parthian periods. Interestingly, the burial practices and objects inside the graves remained consistent throughout these periods, showing no significant change over time. The isotopic values of the individuals indicated that their diet, influenced by local agriculture, consisted of both C3 and C4 plants. Animal proteins, including meat and dairy products, were also included in the diet.

Archaeological Survey of Qaleh Iraj, Dating and Function

Seyed Mehdi Mousavinia; Mohammadreza Nemati

Volume 8, Issue 2 , March 2017, , Pages 189-208

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2017.61778

Abstract

Among the Historical Monuments which have been identified in Tehran plain, Qaleh Iraj (known also as Qaleh Gabri) is the biggest in extent by 1470 m. length, 1300 m. Width covering ... Read More

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Author = Nemati, Mohammadreza

AMS Radicarbon (C14) Dating of Human Skeletal Remains from the Mersinchal Cemetery, Semnan, Iran

Abstract

Archaeological Survey of Qaleh Iraj, Dating and Function

Abstract