Journal of Archaeological Studies

Comparative analysis of Tools and Archeological Textiles of the Bronze Age (Shahr-i Sokhta) and today

Haleh Helali Esfahani; Seyed Mansour Seyed Sajjadi

Volume 17, Issue 1 , June 2025, , Pages 145-172

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2024.360834.143216

Abstract

AbstractShahr-i Sokhta occupies a distinctive and significant position among the archaeological sites of the third millennium BCE on the Iranian Plateau due to the richness and diversity ... Read More AbstractShahr-i Sokhta occupies a distinctive and significant position among the archaeological sites of the third millennium BCE on the Iranian Plateau due to the richness and diversity of its cultural materials. The extensive array of artifacts recovered from the site provides valuable resources for investigating the behaviors, worldviews, and technological capabilities of humans during a formative historical period particularly in relation to challenges still present in contemporary industry, such as textile production. A key avenue for exploring this cultural complexity lies in the study of textiles recovered from the site. By analyzing the types of fibers and weaving techniques employed, as well as the associated tools used in textile production, researchers can gain insight into the innovative practices and material culture of the inhabitants. These artifacts narrate the ingenuity and functional artistry of the community, revealing how tools were utilized and how textiles were crafted. This study employs a descriptive-comparative methodology to examine the most representative examples of woven textiles, using morphological imaging, tables, and diagrams. These samples are comparatively analyzed in terms of their structure, function, and congruence with the tools found at the site. Moreover, the study draws parallels with contemporary analogues, aiming to reconstruct and illustrate aspects of everyday life in the Bronze Age. Through this approach, the research seeks to revive an understanding of Shahr-i Sokhta’s cultural environment and to highlight the role of its inhabitants as artist-craftsmen within the broader context of early textile industry development.Keywords: Shahr-i- Sokhta, Archaeological Textiles, Weaving Tools, Bronze Age, Textile Heritage. 1. IntroductionUndoubtedly, Sistan was one of the first parts of Iran that played an important role in the formation of ancient civilizations. Near the end of the Helmand River, there are low but wide hills called Shahr-i Sokhta, which is one of the largest urban centers in ancient Iran (Seyyed Sajjadi 2018: 322). The study of cultural materials related to textiles and weaving, while important to understanding this site, has not previously been conducted.The archaeological site of Shahr-i Sokhta is situated adjacent to an ancient delta, which today is heavily covered by sand, rendering its original features difficult to discern. Additionally, due to prevailing west-to-east wind patterns, the site has experienced significant erosion, particularly in its western section. Continuous exposure to wind currents has led to a decrease in elevation on the western side, while the eastern portion retains a comparatively higher elevation. The erosion has also caused sharp, vertical cuts along the walls of the mound, shaped primarily by water action.The mounds of Shahr-i Sokhta extend in a generally north-south orientation, with an approximate length of 2,220 meters and a width of around 1,090 meters (Biscione et al., 1977, p. 104). Cultural and archaeological remains are distributed across an area of roughly 151 hectares, making it the largest known prehistoric settlement in the eastern Iranian Plateau. Over the 4,000 years since its abandonment, the site has been significantly altered by natural erosive forces, such as the strong Sistan winds and seasonal rainfall. 2. DiscussionShahr-i Sokhta represents not only one of the most prominent cities of the Iranian Plateau but also serves as a vast laboratory within a compact desert environment. The study of cultural materials at the site extends beyond traditional archaeological inquiries. Through the examination of diverse artifacts, scholars can trace the development of multiple fields of knowledge and technology on the plateau. These include, but are not limited to: archaeology, sociology, trade and international exchange, the history of religion, settlement and urbanization, architecture, traditional arts and crafts, writing systems, medicine and its allied sciences, zoology, nutrition, agriculture, animal husbandry, entomology, botany, geology, metallurgy, ceramics, jewelry-making, weaving, and woodworking.The city can be divided into three main sectors and three subsidiary zones: (1) a central core encompassing both the eastern and central residential quarters and associated monuments; (2) a northwestern industrial zone; and (3) a southern cemetery area (Biscione et al., 1974, p. 104).The architectural remains of the residential sector reveal an organized spatial layout, with buildings and housing units separated by alleys and streets. Construction materials include adobe, clay, wood, and matting. Residential units typically consist of six to ten rooms, outfitted with doors, thresholds, stairways, floors, ceilings, ovens, and in some instances, animal mangers.A wide variety of portable objects have been recovered from the site. In addition to ceramic vessels, noteworthy finds include human and animal figurines fashioned from clay and stone, wooden and woven artifacts, textile tools, fragments of cloth and rope, seals and seal impressions, personal ornaments, and utilitarian tools. Among the more distinguished items are marble vessels, stone handles, and polished stones of Asian origin. Many decorative objects were crafted from imported semi-precious stones such as lapis lazuli, agate, and turquoise sourced from distant mining regions and transported to Shahr-i Sokhta. These materials, particularly lapis lazuli, were cut and shaped by local artisans and subsequently exported to distant lands, including regions beyond the Persian Gulf and Mesopotamia, as part of long-distance trade networks.Stone materials such as marble, basalt, and limestone were used to manufacture tools, beads, and various types of vessels. A significant number of seals and seal impressions made from diverse materials have been uncovered, indicating their administrative and official functions. Among the most important discoveries are two clay tablets: one inscribed with early Elamite script and the other marked with a series of numerical figures and a seal impression (Sajjadi and Moradi, 2022, pp. 101–109).Today, the study and analysis of ancient artifacts is a crucial means of reconstructing past lifeways and understanding key socio-economic practices of earlier periods. One such area of investigation is the domestication and breeding of various animal species for the purpose of acquiring fibers such as down, wool, and hair for textile production (Strand, 2010b). As the corpus of documented ancient artifacts grows, so too does the body of historical, artistic, and cultural knowledge available to archaeologists, historians, and specialists across disciplines. Within this broader framework, the study of textiles and associated weaving tools from Shahr-i Sokhta constitutes a particularly significant area of inquiry, owing to the substantial number of preserved textile fragments found at the site.To date, approximately 350 textile fragments from Shahr-i Sokhta have been cataloged as part of conservation and restoration efforts (Helali Esfahani, 2010). Alongside these, a number of wooden weaving implements have also been recovered. These tools are essential for understanding the techniques of textile production at the site. Notably, some of the weaving patterns observed in these fragments appear to correspond to techniques recognizable in modern textile practices, offering valuable comparative opportunities (Costantini et al., 2007 [1386]: 339–348). This article focuses specifically on the abundance and diversity of textile-related materials uncovered at Shahr-i Sokhta, which position the site as a uniquely rich source of prehistoric textile evidence.All fabric samples examined in this study have undergone technical analyses of their fibers, which were categorized into several primary and secondary groups. Key criteria included the type of fiber, spinning technique, and fiber color. In terms of weaving analysis, the classification was based on the structural characteristics of the weave and evidence for intended use (Helali Esfahani, 2009). The central aim of this research is to present aspects of daily life in Shahr-i Sokhta during the third millennium BCE through a detailed examination of fabric types and the tools used in their production.Previous studies on Shahr-i Sokhta’s textiles have investigated both the variety and abundance of fiber types. For instance, Irene Good has examined fiber analysis in order to reconstruct patterns of animal domestication and biodiversity relevant to textile use (Good, 1999). Similarly, Lorenzo Costantini and colleagues have explored warp types, spinning stages, and several weaving patterns evident in the recovered materials (Costantini et al., 2007 [1386]: 339–340).This article is the outcome of fieldwork conducted by the author, who served as site supervisor for three excavation seasons at Shahr-i Sokhta. During these campaigns, fiber types, spinning methods, and physical properties of the approximately 350 preserved fabric fragments were systematically documented and analyzed. It is important to note that no comprehensive research in Iran has yet matched prehistoric textile tools and fabrics from Shahr-i Sokhta with their modern analogues. As such, this article represents the first systematic attempt in Iranian archaeology to establish such correlations. 3. ConclusionWhile similar analyses have been conducted at other archaeological sites internationally often focusing on tool typologies and their temporal contexts these studies have generally treated tools and fabrics in isolation, without integrating them into a comparative analysis with modern textile production (Olofsson et al., 2015). No analogous study exists, either in traditional or industrial textile contexts, that explicitly traces the technological continuity between prehistoric weaving practices and contemporary textile methods. Therefore, this research offers a novel approach, combining archaeological data with comparative textile studies to reconstruct the technological and cultural significance of textile production in Shahr-i Sokhta.

Preliminary analysis of the pottery from Nay Tappeh, an Iron Age site in the Gorgan Plain

Mahdi Jahed; Kamaleddin Niknami; Jebraeel Nokandeh; Mostafa Dehpahlavan

Volume 17, Issue 1 , June 2025, , Pages 199-231

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2021.323464.143017

Abstract

AbstractThis study examines and classifies Iron Age pottery from Nay Tappeh, a site in the Gorgan Plain, the historically known region of Hyrcania (Varkaneh). Hyrcania, one of the most ... Read More AbstractThis study examines and classifies Iron Age pottery from Nay Tappeh, a site in the Gorgan Plain, the historically known region of Hyrcania (Varkaneh). Hyrcania, one of the most significant archaeological regions in the Iranian cultural sphere, has been the research focus for over a century. However, fundamental questions remain, particularly regarding Iron Age pottery’s forms, chronology, and cultural links to the region’s Bronze Age traditions. This article presents a detailed analysis of pottery recovered from rescue excavations at Nay Tappeh, conducted by J. Nokandeh. The study follows a three-stage methodology: classification, analysis, and interpretation. Its primary objective is to explore the relationship between Nay Tappeh’s pottery and Bronze Age Hyrcanian pottery while comparing it with Iron Age pottery from the Gorgan Plain, Dehistan, the Central Plateau, and other Iron Age archaeological regions of Iran. The ceramics from Nay Tappeh have been categorized into 25 main groups, classified under two broad types: open-mouthed and closed-mouthed vessels. These forms exhibit striking similarities with pottery from Archaic Dehistan, North Khorasan, Semnan, Mazandaran, Gilan, and western Iran. Comparative analysis suggests that the pottery of Nay Tappeh dates to the late Iron Age II, Iron Age III, and the early Achaemenid period. Despite gradual changes over time, these pottery forms maintain strong ties to Bronze Age traditions, reflecting a sense of cultural continuity in the region.Keywords: Hyrcania, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Nay Tappeh, Pottery Classification. 1. IntroductionThe region of Varkaneh/Hyrcania (Fig. 1) is one of the most significant archaeological areas within the Iranian cultural sphere. Despite over a century of research, many fundamental questions remain unanswered, particularly regarding the comprehensive classification of Iron Age pottery and its chronological connection to the Bronze Age in the same region.This article focuses on the classification of pottery recovered from rescue excavations at Nay Tappeh in the Gorgan Plain, conducted by J. Nokandeh. The excavation reached the natural soil layers, uncovering artifacts dating to the Iron Age (Fig. 2).In archaeology, the study of pottery assemblages typically involves three stages: classification, analysis, and interpretation. While “classification” and “typology” are often used interchangeably, typology is generally considered a more specific form of classification. This study follows these three stages, giving special attention to the continuity of pottery forms from the first half of the second millennium BCE. This focus is driven by the striking similarities between the pottery of Nay Tappeh and that of Archaic Dehistan, which some scholars associate with earlier pottery traditions in the Gorgan Plain and surrounding regions. Additionally, this research seeks to explore the broader cultural geography of Iron Age pottery in the Gorgan Plain, Archaic Dehistan, and other key areas within the Iranian cultural sphere.The value of this study lies in its potential to bridge gaps in our understanding of cultural transitions in Hyrcania, a region historically positioned at the crossroads of civilizations. By examining pottery forms, we can trace not only technological and artistic developments but also the movement of people and ideas across time and space. 2. Materials and MethodsThis investigation combines a morphological analysis of pottery with the creation of a comparative database. The primary goal is to trace the evolution of Iron Age pottery forms from the Late Bronze Age by comparing them with earlier Hyrcanian pottery. Furthermore, the study compares pottery from Nay Tappeh with Iron Age assemblages from the Gorgan Plain, Dehistan, the Central Plateau, and western and northwestern Iran.The research seeks to address three main questions: What are the formal similarities between Nay Tappeh pottery and Bronze Age Hyrcanian pottery? Based on comparative analysis, where does Nay Tappeh fit within the Iron Age chronology of Iran? How can the similarities and changes in pottery forms be interpreted in the transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age in this region? To achieve these objectives, the study employs a comparative approach based on typological analysis. Additionally, comparative studies have been conducted using pottery from sites excavated during the Gorgan Wall excavation projects. This integrated methodology provides a more comprehensive understanding of the pottery’s cultural and chronological context. 3. DataPottery constitutes the majority of artifacts found at Nay Tappeh and has been classified into 25 main groups based on morphology. These groups are divided into two primary categories: open-mouthed and close-mouthed vessels, with an additional category for kitchenware. These categories are then compared with Bronze Age pottery from Hyrcania and Iron Age pottery from northern Iran (Plates 1-3, Table 1).The pottery forms from Nay Tappeh show remarkable similarities to those from ancient Dehistan and align closely with examples documented by scholars such as Arne (1945), Deshayes (1969), Olson and Thornton (2019), Schmidt (1937), Salzman (2014), Abbasi (2011), Mahforozi and Piller (2009), Ghasemi (2017), and Khlopin (1983, 2002). These scholars have identified similar forms in Late Bronze Age sites such as Shah Tappeh IIa, Turang Tappeh IIIc, Hesar IIIc, Narges Tappeh, and Gohar Tappeh. Notably, some forms resemble those attributed by Deshayes (1969) to the IIIb period of Tureng Tappeh, including dishes, simple and carinated bowls, bowls with obliquely cut rims, spouted bowls, deep bowls, lids, various pots, teapots, and kitchenware.The pottery forms from Nay Tappeh also exhibit strong parallels with contemporaneous assemblages from Dehistan, North Khorasan, Semnan, Mazandaran, Gilan, the Central Plateau, and western and northwestern Iran. Additionally, two distinctive forms tripods and bowls with horizontal handles appear in the Nay Tappeh assemblage. These forms first emerged in the mid-second millennium BCE at sites such as Pardis and Seram on the Central Plateau.The presence of these unique forms suggests a degree of regional specialization, possibly linked to specific functional or cultural practices. For example, tripods may have been used for cooking over open flames, while bowls with horizontal handles could have served ceremonial purposes. However, such interpretations require further contextual evidence to confirm.Based on comparative analysis, the pottery from Nay Tappeh can be dated to the late Iron Age II, Iron Age III, and the early Achaemenid period (Table 1). At the same time, these forms demonstrate clear continuity with Bronze Age traditions despite undergoing evolutionary changes. If we rely solely on published pottery evidence and absolute dates, it appears that between approximately 2100 and 1600 BCE, Bronze Age cultures in the region maintained earlier pottery traditions while introducing new forms. However, this period also marked a transitional phase, often characterized as a decline, which eventually led to the emergence of Iron Age I. Following this transition, a gap of approximately 100 to 200 years is observed before the onset of Iron Age II and III cultures, which left a distinct archaeological footprint across the region. 4. DiscussionThis study demonstrates that, despite gradual changes, the pottery forms from Nay Tappeh maintain a strong connection to Bronze Age traditions, reflecting cultural continuity in the region. The findings underscore the significance of Nay Tappeh as a key site for understanding the transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age in Hyrcania and its broader cultural connections within the Iranian sphere.The pottery from Nay Tappeh provides valuable insights into the cultural and chronological developments in Hyrcania during this transition. The classification of 25 main groups of pottery, divided into open-mouthed and closed-mouthed vessels, reveals significant similarities with contemporaneous assemblages from Dehistan, North Khorasan, Semnan, Mazandaran, Gilan, and western Iran. The presence of distinctive forms, such as tripods and bowls with horizontal handles, further highlights the cultural interactions between the Gorgan Plain and the Central Plateau during the second millennium BCE.One of the most intriguing aspects of this study is the evidence of cultural resilience in Hyrcania. Despite external influences and internal changes, the region’s pottery traditions exhibit a remarkable degree of continuity. This resilience may be attributed to the region’s geographical isolation, which allowed it to preserve its cultural identity while selectively adopting external innovations. 5. ConclusionThe dating of Nay Tappeh pottery to the late Iron Age II, Iron Age III, and early Achaemenid period, alongside its continuity with Bronze Age traditions, underscores the region’s cultural resilience and adaptability. This study not only contributes to the understanding of Iron Age pottery in Hyrcania but also emphasizes the need for further research to address unresolved questions regarding the region’s archaeological chronology and cultural geography.Future research should focus on expanding the comparative database to include more sites from neighboring regions. Such approaches could provide deeper insights into the functional and symbolic roles of pottery in ancient Hyrcanian society.

Late Chalcolithic to Late Bronze Age Settlement Patterns in the Gorgan Plain (ca. 3200-1600 BCE)

Kyle .G. Olson

Volume 16, Issue 2 , September 2024, , Pages 121-149

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2025.388987.143333

Abstract

The Gorgan Plain in Golestan Province is one of the most archaeologically rich regions in Iran. Given its favorable climate, the Gorgan Plain has been an attractive location for settlement ... Read More

Investigation of the Chronological Statue of the Bronze Age in East of Lorestan (Based on the Excavation of the Gariran Tepe)

Mehdi Heydari; abbas Motarjam; Morteza Hesari

Volume 14, Issue 3 , October 2022, , Pages 21-43

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2021.276778.142688

Abstract

Eastern Lorestan is one of the regions of the Central Zagros region where the fewest number of chronological studies related to the Bronze Age have been conducted. Chronological studies ... Read More Eastern Lorestan is one of the regions of the Central Zagros region where the fewest number of chronological studies related to the Bronze Age have been conducted. Chronological studies of the Central Zagros are more concentrated than other areas in the Gamasiab river areas in Nahavand and Kangavar. The chronological framework of Lorestan and Gamasiab valley face many problems concerning the Bronze Age. At present, the chronology of Gamasiab and Kangavar region is related to the 1970 and 1980s and so far, the volume and quality of archaeological findings has changed in this areas. In order to clarrify of the chronological status of East of Lorestan, stratigraphic excavation have been carried out at the mound of Gariran in Aleshtar. Excavations in this area have shown that the common pottery of the Bronze Age after the beginning of the Elamite period is a well-made painted pottery style called Godin III. Meanwhile, in the Gamasiab river basin, the Early Bronze Age is known by the Yaniq style. Based on the excavations at Gariran Tepe, it seems that the common cultures in the Bronze Age of Lorestan were mostly related to the western and southern regions of Lorestan. Yaniq pottery has not been obseved widely in this area. In this study, according to the findings obtained from the excavations at Gariran Tepe, the chronology has been adjusted according to the cultural and regional realities. According to this, the Early Bronze Age (early-to-mid third millennium BCE) has contined without any interruption at Gariran Tepe after the begining of the Elamite period. In this period of pottery, which is common to the old phases of old Godin III (which in Godin’s chronology belongs to the middle period of the Bronze Age) ancient Bronze polychrome pottery. In this study, we have attempted to answer the following questions: What is the chronology of eastern Lorestan during the Bronze Age, and, how can the exploration of Gariran Tepe’s stratigraphy be corrected given the chronological defects of eastern of Lorestan.

The North and South Central Plateau of Iran During the Third and Second Millennium BCE (3200-1500 BCE)

Hassan Fazeli nashli; Siamak Sarlak; Javad Hoseinzadeh; Sahar Yazdani; Babak Rafiei-Alavi; Stacy .A. Carolin

Volume 14, Issue 2 , September 2022, , Pages 153-180

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2022.348692.143160

Abstract

The societies of the northern and southern zones of the “Iranian Central Plateau” flourished during the last quarter of fourth millennium BCE. This floruit was marked by ... Read More

Notes on the Sasanian Alabaster Disc in the Cleveland Museum of Art

Parasto Masjedi Khak; Mostafa Khazaie Kouhpar

Volume 13, Issue 4 , September 2022, , Pages 215-232

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2021.280949.142715

Abstract

Among the Sassanid artifacts is a disc at the Cleveland Museum of Art. There is no information about person engraved on the disk, just in the Cleveland Museum's recorded information, ... Read More Among the Sassanid artifacts is a disc at the Cleveland Museum of Art. There is no information about person engraved on the disk, just in the Cleveland Museum's recorded information, and idea of Dorothy Shepard, this hunter man is Ardeshir II of Sasanian Dynasty. Due to the unusual form and uniqueness of disc among the Tape Hesar Bronze Age culture works, and despite the fact that the motif and subject engraved on it are characteristic of the art of the Sassanid period; But with the help of archaeological data, interesting information can be provided. The objectives of this study are to understand the person engraved on this marble disk In this study, In addition, the authors try to evaluate the origin of the marble disk based on archaeological findings so that they can speculate about the geographical area production of this object and determine whether this work is the production of the area from which it was found. Or was it produced elsewhere in the realm of the Sassanid kingdom? the authors have shown similar examples of disks from the prehistoric period and have shown that the construction site of this object in North and Northeastern Iran is in sites that contain both Bronze Age cemetery and the Sassanid period remains. And the original disk belongs to the Bronze Age and the culture of Hesar / Gorgan, examples of which have been found in the tombs of this period. Also, considering the form and decoration of the crown engraved on this disc and its comparison with the crown of Ardeshir II in the Taq-e Bostan and the plate of Ardeshir II recovered from the Mes Aynak site in Afghanistan, it seems that Ardeshir II could not be the king engraved on this disk. The depicted person on this plate is probably one of the Sassanid princes who ruled the Northern region or one of the local dynasties kings; during early Islam of the region, dynasties that remained faithful to the Sassanid traditions for several centuries. However, we will need more information from archaeological or incidental findings to reinforce these ideas or change it.

Archaeology of Qara Dagh: Preliminary Report of the Survey of the Bronze and Iron Age Sites in Varzeqan Region (Iranian Azerbaijan)

Hossein Naseri Someeh; Alireza Hejebri Nobari; Erkan Konyar

Volume 13, Issue 4 , September 2022, , Pages 283-306

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2019.284880.142749

Abstract

Archaeological studies in the region of Qara Dagh (or Arasbaran) are of particular importance due to the fact that this region is located in the area between East-West (Iranian) Azerbaijan ... Read More Archaeological studies in the region of Qara Dagh (or Arasbaran) are of particular importance due to the fact that this region is located in the area between East-West (Iranian) Azerbaijan and Iran-Anatolian Plateau, as well as north to south of Caucasus-Iran. Archaeological activities in Qara Dagh are often aimed at conducting systematic research to explain the socio-political situations, investigate the cultural-technological currents and changes, explore the connecting and commercial routes of Northern region of Azerbaijan during the Bronze and Iron ages, outline the long-term scientific landscape, and also to understand the archaeological status of the region, relying on field and laboratory methods. The first season of this project, in 2017, dealt with identification of the Bronze and Iron Age sites of Varzeqan city. During the present survey, have been recorded 143 sites from the early Bronze Age to the Iron Age III in the region; and from the most important results of this survey, the changes recorded during the transitions from each period to the next period in relation to demographic changes, settlement patterns and location selecting, evaluating the landscape and natural resources in order to be aware of food networks and economic systems, studying the ecology of the region, livelihood approaches and burial methods can be mentioned. According to this evidence, settlements have been very limited in the region during the early Bronze Age. With the collapse of semi-farmer communities in the early Bronze Age, nomadic life was limitedly formed in the middle of the Bronze Age. In the late of Middle Bronze Age, once again, with the formation of sedentary communities, an increase in the population of the region and the emergence of social complexities are seen during the late Bronze Age to the Iron Age II, followed by the establishment of a primitive class society which was formed under the administration of local small rulers

Cultural Interactions of Little Zab River Basin in Chalcolithic / Bronze age Northwest of Iran

mahnaz sharifi

Volume 13, Issue 3 , September 2021, , Pages 93-116

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2020.305384.142892

Abstract

Archaeological excavations in the Little Zab river in the areas of GirdiAshoan, Barveh, Bardeh Zard and Akhoran, in order to identify the cultural sequence of Zab, were carried out ... Read More

Settlement Patterns of the Bronze Age Sites of the Upper and Middle Atrak Basin in the Northeast of Iran

Alireza Hejebri Nobari; Raffaelo Biscione; nesa judy

Volume 13, Issue 2 , September 2021, , Pages 293-317

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2021.279390.142703

Abstract

In archaeological studies of the region of Southwest Asia, during the period from the late fourth millennium BC to the beginning of the Iron Age (second half of the second millennium ... Read More In archaeological studies of the region of Southwest Asia, during the period from the late fourth millennium BC to the beginning of the Iron Age (second half of the second millennium BC), phenomena such as the growth of settlements in terms of area and population, the emergence of early cities, Trans-regional trade, the formation of government institutions, the emergence and spread of gray and black pottery, extensive changes in technology and the dramatic development of the smelting industry and the use of bronze tools were identified. In this process, an extensive communication network aimed at controlling trade routes and access to raw materials across the plateau by land and sea connected many areas. Economically, in this era, trans-regional trade was established, and communities were connected thousands of miles away from home to obtain the resources they needed. Bronze Age cultures are well known in the most part of Iran but Khorasan is an except and the data are rare and insufficient. Moreover, information about chronology, and distribution of sites during different periods of prehistoric times in different parts of them is very limited. In this research, 38 sites from the Bronze Age period have been studied. These sites were identified in the form of archaeological surveys of the Upper and Middle Atrak during the last decade. This study was done using descriptive-analytic method. For data analysis, GIS and SPSS software, and Correlation and Cluster analysis methods were used. Settlement pattern in the Upper and Middle Atrak basin is similar. It consists of two-level models with large site and a number of small sites around it. The results of this study indicate that due to the lack of water resources in the region, access to the constant water resources is the most important factor in shaping the Bronze age Settlemens. Most sites are also formed during the Early Bronze Age, and we are faced a decrease in the number of sites in the Middle and Late Bronze Age.

Dig it Up: A Reconsideration of Old Excavations at the Urban Center of Shahdad

Nasir Eskandari

Volume 12, Issue 4 , May 2021, , Pages 23-45

Abstract

Shahdad is an important Bronze Age city on the western edge of the Dasht-e Lut in Iran. Previous investigations at the site, with its burials containing rich and sophisticated ... Read More

Hunting in the Forest Steppe: An Examination of the Painted Panel at Takke Rock-Shelter, Bojnord, Northeastern Iran

Ali Akbar Vahdati

Volume 12, Issue 4 , May 2021, , Pages 233-250

Abstract

< p dir="ltr">The mountainous region of Northern Khorasan, north-eastern Iran is rich in rock art complexes including several petroglyphic and rock-painting sites. The rock paintings ... Read More

Interaction Between Environment and Culture: Geographical Landscape and Archaeological Analysis of Bronze Age Settlements of Horand County

Sahar Bakhtiari; rouhollah shirazi; behrooz omrani; Reza Salmanpour

Volume 12, Issue 2 , September 2020, , Pages 61-81

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2020.250416.142529

Abstract

Horand County is located in the most eastern part of Eastern Azerbaijan Province and is perhaps one of the few areas of Iran where major archaeological activities have not yet been ... Read More

Chemical study of Bronze Age and Iron Age potteries of Sagzabad Tepe

Rozıta Salehı nezamı; Hassan Fazeli nashli; omid oudbashi

Volume 12, Issue 2 , September 2020, , Pages 147-164

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2020.272487.142666

Abstract

Pottery is one of the cultural evidences that its developments in different times are important archaeological indicators. Pottery can be viewed from different aspects. Appearance features ... Read More

Determination of Mineral Elements of Dental Remains from the Shahrak-e Firouzeh Site

Mohammad Hossin Rezaei; Hassan Basafa; Hamideh Sadat Mohammdipour; Narges Hashemi; Atefeh Beig Zadeh

Volume 11, Issue 2 , October 2019, , Pages 117-131

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2019.73102

Abstract

A study of dental elements can provide useful information about the diet and social, economic and biological status of the human population in the past. The nutritional status of the ... Read More

The Signs of an Organized System during Bronze Age, in the Eastern Central Zagros Region (Kangavar Plain)

Behzad Balmaki

Volume 11, Issue 1 , May 2019, , Pages 19-34

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2019.71076

Abstract

Central Zagros Region is considered as one of the most important areas in the archaeology of prehistory of Iran and Mesopotamia. Our knowledge from the archeology of the area shows ... Read More

Comparing Style and Chronology of Human Figurines of Shahr-I Sokhta with Adjacent Cultures in the Bronze Age

Mihan Jahanbakhsh; rouhollah shirazi; Mojtaba Kharazmi; zeinab afzali

Volume 10, Issue 2 , January 2019, , Pages 29-46

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2019.68515

Abstract

The figurines are one of the most important objects in Shahr-I-Sukhta, which indicate the parts of the contemporaneous art and the general social condition. An investigation on the ... Read More

Cultural Interactions in Mazandaran during Bronze Age

Narjes Heydari; Rahmat Abbasnejad; Hassan Fazeli

Volume 10, Issue 1 , August 2018, , Pages 57-74

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2018.220765.142355

Abstract

The main goal of this paper is study of the internal and external cultural interactions of the Bronze Age sites in the Mazandaran plain and its mountainous areas on the basis of pottery ... Read More

Bronze Age Settlement Patterns in the Silakhor Plain

Abbas moghaddam; abbas Nouri

Volume 9, Issue 2 , April 2018, , Pages 137-155

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2018.211247.142308

Abstract

The Silakhor Plain is one of the key plains in the eastern part of Central Zagros that its suitable environment made a significant base for human habitants since prehistoric time. This ... Read More

Typological Study and Comparative Chronology of the Pottery Vessels from Tepe Giyan in Nihavand: The Assemblage of Moghadam Museum of University of Tehran

Niloufar Moghimi

Volume 8, Issue 2 , March 2017, , Pages 167-188

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2017.61775

Abstract

Tepe Giyan, which situated in Nihavand city, is one the most important and the first excavated sites in the cultural-geographical zone of Central Zagros. Excavations in this site had ... Read More

Investigating the Cultural Evolutions in Western Hinterlands of Alvand From Chalcolithic period to the End of Iron Age (Based on an archeological survey in Tuyserkan intermountain plain)

Reza Nazari Arshad; Khalilollah Beik Mohammadi

Volume 8, Issue 2 , March 2017, , Pages 209-227

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2017.61779

Abstract

Extensive or intensive methods in archeological surveys are amongst the most common practical techniques in identifying phenomena, cultural changes and cultural ecosystem. Studying ... Read More

Introducing the large Chamber or Kurgans graves of Ardabil Province

Morteza Hessari; Ahmad Ali Yari

Volume 4, Issue 1 , July 2012, , Pages 113-130

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2012.35378

Abstract

This paper examines some of the results of the archaeological survey conducted in Ardabil Province in summer 2001. Ardabil Province is situated in northwest Iran and in the neighborhood ... Read More

Early villages and prehistoric sites in the Abharroud Basin, North West of Iranian central plateau

Shokouh Khosravi; Hamid Khatib Shahidi; Hamed Vahdatinasab; Sajjad Alibaigi; Abolfazl Aali

Volume 4, Issue 1 , July 2012, , Pages 131-154

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2012.35379

Abstract

The Abharroud basin is an important region in the archeological studies of northwestern outskirts of the central plateau, and west and northwest of Iran. Considering its environmental ... Read More

Large stone graves of Azerbaijan, according to new result of Zrdkhaneh study

Mehdi Kazempour; Behrouz Omrani; Reza Rezaloo

Volume 4, Issue 1 , July 2012, , Pages 155-174

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2012.35380

Abstract

The most important characteristics of the occupants of the second millennium BC in northern Iran and its adjacent regions such as the provinces of East Azerbaijan, Ardabil, Azerbaijan ... Read More

Relative and Absolute Dating of TePe Sagzābad, Qazvin Plain

Hasan Fāzeli Nashli; Hojjat Dārābi; Yūsef Fallāhiyān; reza naseri

Volume 3, Issue 1 , July 2011, , Pages 133-158

Abstract

Sagz?b?d Mound was one of the first areas excavated in the course of archeological surveys conducted by the University of Tehran in Qazvin Plain. Findings indicate its permanent establishment ... Read More

Volume 17 (2025)

Volume 16 (2024)

Volume 15 (2023)

Volume 14 (2022)

Volume 13 (2021)

Volume 12 (2020)

Volume 11 (2019)

Volume 10 (2018)

Volume 9 (2017)

Volume 8 (2016)

Volume 7 (2015)

Volume 6 (2014)

Volume 5 (2013)

Volume 4 (2012)

Volume 3 (2011)

Volume 1 (2009)

Keywords = Bronze Age

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract