Journal of Archaeological Studies

Abstract With substantial increase in socio-political complexity during the second half of the fourth millennium BC and emergance of a need to record the economic transactions, the Proto Elamite writing system on the Iranian plateau and the proto Cuneiform in Mesopotamia was emerged. As a result of the political, climatic and cultural conditions prevailing the Iranian Plateau, the Proto Elamite writing system was used by various communities on the Iranian plateau in late 4^th millennium B.C. It seems that there were probably different tribes with diversed cultures and languages, among which, they were able to take advantage of the identical sign list to register names in their language. In Proto Elamite writing system, there also have different numbers and signs for objects, property and the signs with phonetic values are combined togather, making string of signs with single meaning and separation of such chain of signs requires full knowledge of this writing system. The purpose of this article is to introduce and examine the signs integrated in phonetic values, which are probably integrated among the ideogram signs. The ideogram signs  may have been read with phonemes in the past, but there were never exclusively related to phonetic signs. The method of study is as follows: after classifying the groups of similar texts that were probably written by the same scribe or a group of Proto Elamite clay tablets sealed by a same image, the same structural similarities and phonetic differences have been studied. On the other hand, according to the similar position of the ideological signs before and after phonetic values, an attempt has been made to separate the chain of phonetic values. As a result, the pre-name signs probably have the gender value or social status of the owner of the name, and the sign after the name conveys the use of the verb and in small number of the texts, it conveys the meaning of a household or tribe

Abstract Shahdad is located on the western side of the Lut desert in the central Iranian Plateau. Shahdad has been a major focus of archaeological and archaeometallurgical research in the region due to extensive metallurgical activities documented at the site during the Bronze Age and for having the most abundant remains of copper metallurgy in southeastern Iran. The metallurgical developments at Shahdad have been well documented due to the previous studies by researchers working on the vast peripherial area of Shahdad dating to the period when the settlement was a permanently occupied city during the 3rd millennium BCE. Our latest surveys at the site have identified copper extraction metallurgy across a very large area based on significant amounts of ancient metallurgical remains on the surface including copper ores, moulds, crucibles, furnaces and complete metal tools. Pottery and slag have been observed macroscopically and microscopically in order to find particular traces of the metallurgical processes used during the EBA of Shahdad. Preliminary observations supply a new synopsis by re-tracing the ancient metallurgy at Shahdad. This research has revealed that the metal-workers of Shahdad mainly used copper sulphide (covellite) as their primary Cu-bearing ores. Three different slag types were identified according to their color, external texture and fabrication. Pottery samples were associated with copper metallurgy based on their phase characterizations, which were interpreted as the artefact of a distinct step in the metallurgical production process. This pottery is very porous and rough-textured due to the particular additives, leading to the formation of copper carbonate and copper oxide enrichments in the voids of the ceramic fabric.

Abstract Archaeological activities during the past two decades at Bishapour have revealed architectural structures, plaster-molding, seals and other objects from this valuable site. This city, which is one of the first Sasanian cities and capitals, has its own documented historic urban planning. Excavations in the city began in 1935 and archeological activities are still continuing. During archeological excavations at Bishapour, a few pieces of plaster-molding with human motifs were found. Stucco of this type has not reported from other Sasanian sites as yet. These pieces are mostly found in the ninth season of excavations at Bishapour that was conducted on the south of the mosaic porch and the cross-shaped hall of the royal residence. It appears that the plaster-molding embellishments were drawn on the walls all at once, and then the artist created the desired designs on the plasters with a tool like the relief drawknife or it was prepared in the form of molding and then installed in its place. In this paper, the data collection method was based on two paths: fieldwork and library sources. The present paper analyzes and introduces these findings in the context of the Sasanian plaster-molding art of the acient town of Bishapour. The article demonstrates that the Sasanian plaster-molding art was inherited from the Iranian past.

Abstract This paper examines in detail the little-known Friday Mosque (masjid-i jāmi‘) of Firdaus, located southwest of the Khurasan, which has had a key role in developing Saljuq architecture in the area. The original scheme of the mosque was unclear. The lofty īwān and two flanking dome chambers on the west (qibla) side of the courtyard are the central core of the mosque. The main aim of the article is to analyse the architecture of the mosque and demonstrate its association with the architectural style of the Saljuq mosque in the Khurasan area.  During the conservation and restoration measures in 2006, some fresh materials were unearthed. The new findings shed light on the original features of the mosque and revealed its formation. The paper describes the city's history, defines its architectural characteristics, and then analyses the present information for replying to the research questions. Owing to the outcomes of the archaeological investigation, the study suggests the general scheme of the mosque as a further example of the two- īwān mosque, which may be dated to the late years of the 6th /12th century. Despite the importance of the mosque, no lengthy study has been published about the building. The accurate drawing of the plan and sections of this monument, with the proposal scheme for the reconstruction of the mosque, are being published in this paper for the first time.

Abstract The Mesolithic period and its transition to the Neolithic period in Western Asia is one of the most important stages of human cultural evolution during which. humans gradually changed their way of life and cultural behavior. After millennia of living as mobile hunter-gatherers, these changes in human lifestyle were so significant that some scientists consider them to have triggered the Anthropocene (Smith and Zeder, 2013). Therefore, the study of the Mesolithic hunter-gatherer way of life and its transformation into a Neolithic society is crucial for investigating the first steps and possible triggers of this fundamental change. A small number of important archaeological sites in the southeastern edge of the Caspian Sea coast provide rich sequences of hunter-gatherers dating from about 15,000 to 10,000 years ago with abundant cultural materials. One of those, Hotu Cave located nearby the modern Iranian city Behshahr, was firstly described by the American anthropologist Carlton Coon in 1949 and then excavated by him in 1951. Due to various reasons, a proper report on this cave was never presented. Our new activities at the site after 70 years aim to establish a secure chronology from the Mesolithic to the Parthian period and to link obvious gaps in the cave sequence to climatic and environmental changes during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene. The new excavation at Hotu Cave is not only useful to contextualize the data from the Coon excavations, but has also helped us to generate additional data to propose a regional chronology from the Mesolithic onwards. In this paper we present not only the current data on the chronology of the cave, but also all the chronological schemes attempted by scholars, which we have brought together. Our project not only includes activities in Hotu Cave, but also carried out excavations in 2022 and 2023 at the two other key sites of the relevant Mesolithic-Neolithic transitional horizon, Kamarband Cave and Komishani Tappe, which lies in front of Komishani Cave. The material culture from the recent excavations is very important in proposing a new model of the transition from the Mesolithic to the Neolithic for the Iranian highlands that goes beyond the Zagros region, which – until now – has been considered an independent core region of early domestication and Neolithization.

Abstract Abstract
In the field of prehistoric archaeology studies in Iran, East Azerbaijan is considered one of the unknown, obscure, and neglected regions. Despite the high environmental potential and capabilities of this area, unfortunately, the few studies conducted have not yet been able to accurately define the prehistoric cultural frameworks of this region. The accidental discovery of a Neolithic pottery vessel from Qosha Tepe in Parsabad paved the way for carrying out this research aimed at studying Neolithic cultures of the Mughan Steppe. Other new findings from the Neolithic era in this region, including Qosha Tepe in Mishkin and Bey Baghli in Bileh Savar, along with comparative studies of these artifacts with similar examples in the Urmia Lake basin and the Aras River valley, led to the identification of a new culture from the Late Neolithic period in East Azerbaijan. The dating of the Qara Su-Mughan pottery tradition indicates that this culture played a connecting role between the Neolithic cultures of the Urmia Lake basin and the Southern Caucasus in the sixth millennium BCE. The pottery techniques, decorations, and structure of the ceramics from the Qara Su-Mughan Neolithic culture reveal significant similarities and resemblances with the Shulaveri-Shomu culture in the Southern Caucasus and the Hajji Firuz culture in the Urmia Lake basin. This research serves as the first step in introducing and identifying the Neolithic culture of Eastern Azerbaijan, Iran, referred to as the Qara Su-Mughan culture during the New Neolithic period.
Keywords: Neolithic, Qara Su-Mughan Steppe, Parsabad, Qosha Tepe.
 
1. Introduction
The Qara Su-Mugan Steppe basin encompasses a vast watershed area of approximately 21,245 square kilometers, located between Ardabil and East Azerbaijan provinces. It features a climate ranging from humid and hot to very cold mountainous conditions, which has endowed it with diverse geographical landscapes. Some field studies in this area reveal artifacts from the Early Paleolithic to the Middle Paleolithic across the entire Qara Su River basin. These abundant findings, derived from just a single visit and initial surveys, indicate the region’s attractiveness for human groups from the Paleolithic era up to the beginning of the Neolithic period. Unfortunately, the lack of serious archaeological studies in this region has hindered any detailed discussion regarding its prehistoric cultural characteristics.
 
2. Qara Su-Mughan Steppe and Neolithic Cultures in the NW Iran
The Qara Su-Mugan cultural zone encompasses two distinct drainage basins, each with entirely different and sometimes contrasting geographical features, covering an area of approximately 21,000 square kilometers in eastern of Iranian Azerbaijan—located in northwestern Iran. These two basins range from the hot and humid plains of the Mugan steppe to the very cold and dry slopes of Mount Sabalan (Savalan in local), and are governed by a single cultural tradition that has persisted from ancient times to the present, forming a continuous cultural landscape.
The Qara Su-Mugan cultural zone encompasses two distinct drainage basins, each with entirely different and sometimes contrasting geographical features, covering an area of approximately 21,000 square kilometers in eastern of Iranian Azerbaijan—located in northwestern Iran. These two basins range from the hot and humid plains of the Mugan steppe to the very cold and dry slopes of Mount Sabalan (Savalan in local dialect) and are governed by a single cultural tradition that has persisted from ancient times to the present, forming a continuous cultural landscape.
The Qara Su River basin originates from the Baghru/Taleghan mountain ranges in the east of Ardabil Plain and the Bazqush in the west, as well as the entire northern slopes of Mount Sabalan. After traversing the plains of Ardabil, Arshagh plain, and Meshgin Shahr area, it ultimately merges with the Ahar-Chayi River, forming the Dar-e-Rood River (Yort Valley) along the northern course of the Dar-e-Rood River, and finally joins the Aras River at the western end of the Mugan Plain. Therefore, this large watershed can be divided into three parts: the Qara Su basin—including the plains of Ardabil, Arshagh, and Meshgin; the Ahar Chayi basin—including the mid-mountain plains of Varzeqan and Ahar; and finally, the Dar-e-Rood basin—including the western parts of Germi County, Ungut, and Aslanduz plain.
The Neolithic period in this region was first identified through excavations at Qosha Tepe, near the ancient site of Shaharyeri located in the Qara Su River basin between Meshgin Shahr and Ardabil. Although earlier, Charls Berney had identified two sites dating from the Neolithic to Chalcolithic period in the Meshgin Shahr area and the Ahar Chayi basin, the excavators of Qosha Tepe for the first time demonstrated the sequence of ceramic traditions from the Neolithic in this region. Although the lack of absolute dates from this site has created significant uncertainties regarding the interpretation of finds within the broader framework of the Neolithic in Iranian Azerbaijan, the discovery of these artifacts has nonetheless revealed the characteristics of the Neolithic in the eastern parts of northwestern Iran.
Bey Bagli is another Neolithic settlement in the Mugan Steppe. This small Neolithic site is located on the eastern side of the Mugan Plain, where the Ghamish Chayi (Barzand Chayi) River joins the Bulgar Chayi. This site is situated on the Ghamish Chayi terrace top of a little hill. The ceramic assemblage from this site mainly includes light to dark brown pottery. Red sherds, which sometimes appear brick-red due to high firing temperatures, can also be found among the pottery. Buff wares are rare. Most of the sherds have a soft fabric, while some small vessels exhibit a fine fabric. All pottery vessels have a paste containing organic temper, Chaff-Faced ware is frequently observed. Various techniques were used in decorating the Bey Bagli pottery. Based on color, construction, and surface treatment, the pottery from the Bey Bagli site can be divided into five main categories: 1) Red-slip, polished ware with a red slip 2) Red-colored ware 3) Buff sherds with incised decorations 4) Buff to light brown jars with additive and carved decorations 5) Plum colored vessels.
One of the issues regarding the Neolithic period in northwest Iran is Transitional from the late Neolithic to the Chalcolithic period. Recent studies place the traditions of the Hajji Firuz culture and Tepe Ahranjan within the late Neolithic period, dating between 6000-5400 BCE. The final cultural phases of the late Neolithic in the southern basin of Lake Urmia, Hajji Firuz, and in the northern regions are represented by Ahranjan (5900-5400 BCE). Although Mellaart and some researchers have emphasized the expansion of the Hajji Firuz culture into the Aras Valley based on limited surface findings in the Qara Dagh area, the results of excavations at Ahranjan in the Salmas Plain, Dava Goz in Khoy, Kultepe Gargar in Jalfa, and extensive investigations by the German team have not reported any evidence of Hajji Firuz ceramic traditions beyond the southern plains of Lake Urmia.
 
3. Conclusion
In the eastern regions of Azerbaijan, the latest cultural phases of the Neolithic can be identified along the shores of the Qara Su River and in the Mugan Plain. Excavations at Qosha Tepe along the Qara Su River have revealed a late Neolithic ceramic tradition dating to the mid-sixth millennium BCE. If we accept the absolute dating of the Hajji Firuz culture between 6000 and 5400 BCE, then the Neolithic settlement at Qosha Tepe, or at least its lowest stratigraphic layers, must have been established in the mid-6th millennium BCE. Recent Neolithic findings from Bey Bagli Bilesavar and Qosha Tepe Parsabad indicate a dominant and similar cultural package across Neolithic settlements in the Qara Su basin and the Mugan Plain. The presence of similar pottery types and decorative techniques among these settlements suggests a coherence in ceramic traditions, which can be referred to as a new Neolithic culture.
In the northern Aras River basin and the southern Caucasus, the Neolithic process appears later compared to the Fertile Crescent and the Lake Urmia basin. Based on this, it can be concluded that Neolithic cultures in northwest Iran originated from the Lilan Plain and developed in the Lake Urmia basin, then experienced growth and flourishing in the Qara Su-Mugan Steppe area. This region can be considered a linking zone between the Neolithic cultures of the Lake Urmia basin and the southern Caucasus.

Abstract Aiming to identify and record the Prehistoric sites of the Mehrān Plain, the archaeological survey was carried out During the March of 2010; this, has lid to identifying 36 archaeological sites including tell site, open air site and rock-shelter.Of them, 15 sites have attributed to the Prehistoric Times; Of which, the Village period sites being studied and presented over this article. Overall, 1 site can be attributed to the Pre-pottery Neolithic, 2 sites Initial Village Period, 5 sites Early Village period, 8 Sites Middle Village Period and 3 sites can be attributed to the Late Village Period. The undertaking investigations have attested the high interaction between the prehistoric societeis of the Plain with neighbor areas in Khuzestan and Dehluran ine the east and Mesopotamia in the west of the Plain. This paper is trying to focus on the attributed sites to the Prepottery Neolithic to the Late Village period Settlements.  

Abstract Archaeological evidence from Islamic era reflects trade contacts and flourishing commerce in the Persian Gulf. Indeed, some regional infrastructures surviving from Sassanian times could have acted as the basis for these interactions. Mahruban is one of the most important ports in the Persian Gulf with evidence of extensive trade contacts with such neighboring ports as Basra, Siniz and Ganaveh on the one hand and the Gulf’s northern hinterlands such as Arjan in Behbahan region on the other. The few available data on the port prior to the recent excavations was confined to written documents by early Islamic historians and a number of more recent references by Schwarz and Rawlinson. Given the great potentials of the port for increasing our understanding of the Iranian sea trade during Sasanian and in particular the early Islamic era, the excavation project was designed with the aim of determining its sequence and detecting the remains related to sea trade through the study of archaeological material. The present paper reports the provisional results of the excavation in Trench B at Mahruban, and combines them with the available written evidence in order to define its current location and its role in the trade ties through the Persian Gulf. The preliminary analyses show that ceramic assemblage from the trench parallels the material from Suhar in Oman, Ras al-Khaima in the UAE and Qal’at in Bahrain as well as such Iranian centers as Susa in Kuzestan and Siraf in Bushehr. In this paper, a location near the modern Deylam port is discussed and finally suggested for this historical harbor based on comparison of the archaeological finds with the historical texts from early Islamic period.

Abstract Zibri plain is located northeast of Ilamabad-e Gharb between Mahidasht and Islamabad. This study intends to identify a logical link between situation of the sites belonging to the village period and the environmental factors in this plain; for this, we identifed those environmental features that influenced the location of and distribution of sites. An inductive approach was applied to identify the distribution pattern of sites and with collecting environmental and archaeological data, “significant” and “correlation” relations between these two type of variables was evaluated using spearman statistical analysis using SPSS software. According to this analysis it was realized that the environmental factors such as water distribution, agricultural lands and distribution of vegetation are major factors influencing site locations. Site catchment analysis indicates a strong dependence on fertile agricultural lands especially in lush places around the plain by the initial villagers (Early Neolithic) It shows an increasing in xploitation of novel sources to nourishing domesticated animals in an innovative subsistence strategy during middle village period.

Abstract The site of Sofalin lies in the north Central Iranian Plateau in the north of Pishva city about 35 kilometres south-east of Tehran capital city. The excavations at Tepe Sofalin revealed information on the Proto-writing evidence of the controls on economy, art as well as the cultural and religious life of this period. Cultural sequence of the study period was identified during the some excavations seasons and it was revealed that the site was occupied continuously from first phase of the proto-writhing to the Proto-Elamite time. The seal impressions found from this site are documented, introduced and published here for the first time. The most important questions regarding the seal impressions of Sofalin are: which kinds of animal iconography, function and style were used? Have been seals made by local traditions? For the study of seal collections a comparative approach has been used to compare seal impressions found at Sofalin with its contemporary sites of Susa and those from Mesopotamia. The results of study showed that there have been some similarities between Sofalin and Mesopotamian seals impressions. The Proto-Elamite material showed the internal and external relationships for the peoples inhabiting Proto- Elamite societies; so based on the seal impressions comparisons it is evident that the proto-Elamite period can be attributed to have been in the earliest phase of urban development in the late 4th and early third millennium BC

Abstract The North Western part of Iran belonged to the semi-autonomous province of Atropatene. The region witnessed several political and cultural events and developments during the Parthian Period; however, in its study and exploration, we are in short of cultural material relating to this period, a fact also admitted by Herring and K?mbakhshfard. In the course of the past two decades, numerous field studies and researches have been conducted in the region investigation of whose findings will provide us with a clearer understanding of the Parthian rule in the North West of Iran. The issue at point is the old mound of P?sg?h Tappeh Si which was explored in parallel with the project for saving the dam of Khod?-?farin and other areas in two seasons. As a result of the material poverty of the region during the Parthian Period, the material and data derived from the region will definitely be able to fill, though partially, some of the gaps and material as well as cultural ambiguities and the manner of cultural interactions in the region. To this end, authors of the present article, have endeavored to introduce and carry out a comparative study of the findings of the Parthian Period belonging to this period together with other regions which were concurrent with it, with the aim to take an effective step in the qualitative and quantitative study of the data and the amount of bilateral interactions in the North West of Iran and the neighboring regions during the Parthian Period.

Abstract In this essay, Jelinki Pottery (clinky- ware ceramics) has been studied as one types of ceramics at Arsacides era. Raw materials, quality of processing and baking conditions of potteries are some of effective factors in strength and stability of this material. Employing purposeful methods of chemical analyses in order to examine such factors and in fact structural science of historical potteries will be effective in terms of identifying production technology and their dating as well as taking appropriate techniques to maintain and repair of historical- cultural heritage rather than revealing the latent values in such artefacts. Mineralogical survey on structure of Jelinki potteries by adaption petrography technique, conducting analysis on X-Ray differaction and Sweeping Electronic Microscope (SEM-EDX) may give some remarkable results from production technology and baking conditions of such kind of potteries. Using appropriate aggregate of raw materials, quartz processing in fine grain with the unform diffraction throughout the texture in process of producing original paste to prepare pottery and formation of secondary minerals such as anorthite, glinite, diopside, enstatite (ferous) and pseudo- mullite in some of samples within the limit of baking temperature (950-1000°C) as well as formation a variety of iron oxides within oxidation and reduction conditions- hematite and magnetite, respectively- are some of structural properties of this pottery type. In this paper the modern hypothesis purposed concerning to laminar or sandwich structure in Jelinki potteries may lead to formation of amorphous phase of vitrification with polymeric structure that is the strength factor as well as reason for creation of metallic sound (tone) in this pottery.

Abstract In this study, 27 Achaemenid coins, 62 Parthian coins, 66 Sassanid coins, have been analyzed. The Achaemenid coins as well as 20 Parthian coins belong to the National Museum of Iran and the other 42 Parthian coins are kept in Tamashagah-e Pool Museum. Sasanid coins belong to private collectors. Using PIXE analysis, the element concentrations of the coins were measured. By using statistical analysis on the concentration of the elements, the samples were analyzed using factor analysis method. Statistical analysis shows that the coins belonging to the Achaemenid and Sassanid periods can be identified and separated based on the changes of Cu/Ag, Pb/Ag and Au/Ag ratios. In particular the relative change in Cu/Ag ratio in the Achaemenid period is very low, whereas it is high for the Parthian Coins.

Abstract Most researchers believe that the Sassanid dead bodies were left in the open air to decompose, and then bones by animals and birds remaining in the troughs and niche was created in the rocks. The spaces created in the hard rock mountain ossuary called (Ostkhan Dan). Many of these Astvdans in the Persian mountains like Naqsh-e Rajab, on a hillside on the outskirts Zangiabadi mercy, have mercy on the mountain near the pool, on a platform on a hillside Gvndashlv, isolated on a rock near Naqsh-e Rostam, the great stone cut surface Tight hay near Sivand, in close Eghlid Abade and at the top of a castle overlooking the Bishapour were detected. The Astvadans were created within the rocky mountains or conglomerate layeres both permanently and temporarily (The Dakhmak) In this study, the number of Astvdanhay identified in the Persian Gulf which is comparable to the examples of Fars , were presented and their actual applicatiion will be discussed.  

Abstract The presence of water resources, particularly rivers, significantly influences site selection. Throughout history, settling near rivers has brought numerous advantages, but it has also posed certain risks. This study focuses on the sub-basins southeast of the Caspian Sea. Initially, we explore the connection between the layout of ancient settlements and the drainage networks. Additionally, we analyze the relationship between flood risk and the settlement patterns of these ancient sites by estimating the flooding risk based on linear, areal, and relief aspects. This research marks the first time such an analysis has been conducted. The findings underscore the importance of proximity to rivers in site selection, with areas close to rivers with lower stream orders being the most favorable for settlements. The study reveals a decrease in the frequency of sites near higher stream orders in relation to flooding risk. Conversely, there is an increase in the frequency and density of ancient sites near the first stream orders and at greater distances from the rivers, coinciding with an elevated flooding risk in the sub-basins. These results indicate that the inhabitants of the southeastern areas of the Caspian Sea sub-basins were cognizant of the flooding danger and factored it into their decision-making when selecting settlement sites

Abstract Following recent excavations at Falak al-Aflak, Khorram Abad, some evidences revealed indicating a fortification contemporary to findings of Babajan III, considering characteristic material culture of the region including "Genre Luristan" potteries, limited architectural remains, and comparison studies. The evidence, especially "Genre Luristan" potteries assign to Ellipi kinglet that governed Pishkuh-i-Luristan. Assyrian written sources, which report Sargon II expedition at 713 BC to western Iran, announce "Simaš" at west of Ellipi territory and nearby Median of further east. Present paper suggests the location of the fortification as Simaš following investigation of written and geographical sources. It could be the same Elamite Simaški at late 3^rd and early 2^nd millennia according experts and archaeological evidence.

Abstract The Sassanid bas- relief so- called as Khān Takhti is located at the Mt. Pīrchāvūsh, the village of Khān Takhti, near to Salmās, W. Azerbaijan; whereon two equestrians and two pedestrians have been carved. The equestrian men are Artaxerxes the Unifier and Shāpūr the great giving tow royal coronas to the pedestrian men. It is notable that results of western and Iranian researchers on the identity of these persons are different; while many of them have presented this bas- relief as the allegiance of Armenian nobles with Artaxerxes the Pāpagān. Yet, the authors have revised such an idea as the triple fallacies of ad nauseam, ad popolum and non importatur causandi reciproci. And they have concluded that this bas- relief, historically, depicts the victory of Artaxerxes (I) at the battle for Azerbaijan and the allegiance of the Arsacid Houses of Sorens and Espahbads with the House of Sassans.

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 that this region plays an important role in the evolution of villages and urban development in the world. The present research aims to study the settlement pattern of the 27 Middle Bronze Age sites in the Kangavar valley through considering their ecological and environmental characteristics as well as their spatial characteristics (rank-size and Shannon entropy analyses). The concentration of sites with centralized system in the south eastern parts of the area and the spatial balances among the sites in the other parts suggests the formation of a cultural-economic organization to imply that the sites such as Godin and Karkhaneh with the centralized systems, in the middle parts of the area have extended the range of its control over the landscape. Inter-regional communications via trading networks as well as other cultural traits which have been seen from the Godin III assemblages could be used as the indications for such organizational complex systems in Iran and Mesopotamia.

Abstract Urbanism as a comprehensive research subject could be explored from various anthropological, social and archaeological points of view. This paper, based on one of these theoretical approaches suggesting a direct relationship between the city form and socio-political structure, argues against recent discussions on the urbanization nature of Central Fars during the Achaemenid period. The cultural developments at this region have not been led to establishment of urbanization because of nomadic nature of Achaemenid king, his itinerant court and strong pastoral aspects of population. A survey of current evidence shows that the growth following the foundation of Achaemenid Empire and beginning of building operation at Persepolis was so ephemeral that soon stopped before reaching to the stage of urbanization. The results of recent archaeological investigations at the Persepolis plain reveal that the interpretation of newly discovered material as remains of a city, as excavators claim, is problematic and there is no clear indication of an urban landscape in the region during the Achaemenid period.

Abstract The Urartians ruled over the shores of Lakes of Van, Sevan and Urmia from ca. the 9^th to 7^th centuries B.C. There are several stone and rock inscriptions remained in northwest of Iran. A new Urartian stone inscription is dedicated in Maku Office of Cultural Heritage of the province and is in Urmia Museum at the moment. It was discovered during a construction project behind the fortification of Bastam. The stone block has been inscribed with a sixteen-line Urartian cuneiform text. As the block is damaged, especially from its right side, it appears that the missing lines are greater than in number than the preserved lines, necessitating some reconstruction to interpret the text. The inscription dates to the region of Rusa II, Argišti II’s son, who founded Bastam fortification. Its text concerns the perfect construction of "The Small city of Rusa" with the support of Ḫaldi. The inscription includes a rare cursing formula as well. But, there are a couple of questions to be answered. What is the context of the inscription? What are the possible reconstructions of the inscription? What are the other similar texts with the cursing formula at the ending part? Where is the possible installing place of the stone block? This article is written with the help of the field and library research and it is the aim of it to introduce and reconstruct the inscription text in order to mention the possibility that the stone block may have been installed at the place where the king received the tribute. It seems that the original context of the inscription might have been a place or gate of reception by the king. The end of the inscription features a cursing formula with a rare content in comparison with the other Urartian inscriptions.

Abstract Toos fertile plain, located between two mountain ranges Hezarmasjed and Binalood, has attracted different ethnic groups through ages due to environmental conditions, and has provided a proper ground for human inhabitation and continuation of life since oldest times.
Discovery of handmade tools dated to Lower Paleolithic Age in the middle of the plain and banks of Kashaf River (Kashaf Rud), existence of ancient caves and density and variety of settlements at prehistoric, historic, Islamic and modern times are valuable evidence in this field.
Around these settlements numerous rocky graphs have remained that could be considered a part of artifacts and relics of inhabitants in these settlements. These rocky patterns are scatted at the margins of Toos plain, presenting various subjects like hunting scenes, primitive tools, lattice patterns of naked human body, bison, symbolic designs and signs, human images taking part in battles, hunting and rituals, and goats along with symbolic signs such as circle of sun.
Based on the existing evidence and documents, these graphs could be attributed to prehistoric and historic periods whose creation has continued in the following periods.

Abstract Western parts of the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiyari Province (Ardal County) due to containing high mountains, deep valleys and small intermountain plains as well as the placement in the path of the nomads have long been of interest to humans. The nomadic communities of the mountainous regions of Chaharmahal VA Bakhtiyari culturally interacted with the lowland areas of Fars and Khuzestan's plain during history. Considering the subsistence pattern of the region, understanding the characteristics of the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods, their settlement pattern, the impact of environment on the formation and distribution of sites and determining the type of nomads are the issues which will try to address them through this research. To investigate the effect of environmental factors on the Neolithic and Chalcolithic settlements such as altitude, slope, aspect, distance from river, distance from communication paths, and ground structure and the existence of faults in the region were evaluated by statistical methods. To find out the possible relationships between the natural factors and settlement patterns we used digital maps as the basis for the GIS analyses. In general, two types of settlement pattern are identified: permanent and nomadic.

Abstract With the eight Sassanians reliefs, Naghsh-e Rustam in Marvdasht is a prominent complex safeguarding a complete collection of the Sassanian period. Seven of these reliefs have been repeatedly the subject of investigations thanks to their relatively better conditions. The fifth relief, however, has not yet been studied due to their damaged status. It depicts the full-face portrait of a Sassanid king carved in relief. Historically, in other Sassanid reliefs as well as coins and vessels alike, the same method was exercised to portray kings. The king carved in this relief is wearing an embattled crown posing him as Shapur II (309-379 AD). Since no relief had previously been associated to his long 70-year reign, relating this relief to him was highly welcomed by researchers. In a bid to identify the king in the relief, and through a close investigation of the relief and compare it with another ones, this study compared the mixed opinions on four different kings (Shapur II, Adhur Narseh, Shapur III and Shapur I) who might possibly be carved in this relief. Finally, the possibility of assignment of the relief to Shapur I is discussed.

Abstract Human, is basically moral inventory, that it has found its ethical aspects in the process of time. Today, with pluralism and social activities, the natural desire of man to another in matters of employment and professional activity, which is manifested as "professional ethics" is mentioned. Professional ethics in all knowledge is an undeniable necessity that its rules have been developed for each academic knowledge, so the lack of it, is the scientific damage. In Archaeological circles of the world, close to three decades, Archaeological researchers based their works on ethics governing on the profession of Archeology in advance. However, Archaeological knowledge of Iran that it has the seventy years of life, professional ethics and practice in education has not been experienced! The purpose of this article in addition to the determination of the ethics position in the world of Archeology is showing the lack of professional ethics in the teaching and practice in Archaeology of Iran. This research reviewed issues such as the importance of ethics, the history of ethics and morality in Archeology, theory and practice of ethics in Archaeology of Iran and concluded that there is no constructive engagement and mutual cooperation between colleagues Archaeologist, Archaeologists and people.

Abstract .
Mobility is considered as a key factor in realizing all biological dimensions of professional livestock producer communities. This component leads to a dynamism in the behavior and then as a result in the material culture of these societies. Degeneracy of the most cultural related elements can be mentioned as another feature of the material culture of pastoral -nomadic communities. Since architecture is considered as an emblem of human beings hardworking in regard to cultural conformity and environmental adaptation, architectural intangible section of settlements of these communities is the main subject of the current research that it can be more representative of the economic and cultural structures of human societies. The present paper identifies various range of settlements in the mountainous landscapes and discusses the different architectural patterns of a pastoral-nomadic society in a case study based study on the mobility-sedentary model of these settlements and recommends three spatial-temporal, socio-economic and historical-cultural patterns that could be demonstrated how pastoral-nomadic architecture is adapted to the environment and landscape and how socio-economic structure of these societies can  display the architectural patterns. Ultimately, some patterns are recommended that it could be used in the ethnoarchaeological studies.