Journal of Archaeological Studies

Abstract Troglodyte Tahyagh is one of the important sites of the medieval Islamic period in Iran. During the first season of archaeological excavations at this site, in addition to identifying various architectural spaces, pottery and various beads, as well as other valuable artifacts such as various types of metal and bronze containers, gold coins and gold ornaments were found. In terms of variety and abundance, the metalwork of Tahyagh, it is one of the few known archaeological sites in Iran during the Middle Islamic period. Moreover, it is one of the few known sites of this period with this amount of metal artifacts of the Islamic period has been obtained in its excavations. This is important because the total number of archeological sites of this period, which have been found in archeological excavations with a large volume of different types of metal artifacts, does not exceed the number of fingers of one hand; at the same time, most of these sites have several stages of settlement and it cannot be said with certainty that all the metal artifacts discovered from them belong to a specific time period, such as what has been obtained at Nishapur. This is an indication of the importance of these works that yet have not been addressed in any research. In this regard, the main purpose of this study is to introduce and investigate the metal artifacts obtained from archaeological excavations at  Tahyagh. The method of this research is based on field studies at the site and the identification of similar works in museums through library studies. In these studies, it was found that these objects were probably produced and used in the 12-13^th centuries, based on comparative studies and the existence of evidence from coins of this period in the archaeological excavations of Tahyagh. In addition, some of these works were likely produced in Nishapur or Jorjan and exported to this area.

Abstract Citation of all historical texts to the construction of "the largest ever-made brick vault in the Islamic world" by Tajeddin Alishah Jilani, the minister of Sultan Mohammad Khodabandeh Oljaito in the 8th century AH, have always led historians and scholars of architecture to attribute the brick massive U-shaped monument in the center of the historical context of Tabriz to Alishah, Ilkhanid minister. This U-shaped giant vault is mostly considered as the mouth of the same arch, which collapsed shortly due to the haste in the process of its construction in the Ilkhanid period. While new research findings pave the way for new horizons around the identity of the architecture and the use of the contemporary remains of this huge building attributed to the Arch of Alishah. Accordingly, the main question of this leading research will be to determine the architectural relationship of this building with the building constructed in the Ilkhanid Period. If it is assumed that there are two completely distinct phases of architecture, using the dating technique through thermoluminescence method, on the bricks of this huge structure on the basis that brick is one of the desirable building materials for the absolute dating of historical buildings by thermoluminescence method in recent years, there is a time difference of at least two centuries in this existing structure. This indicates the fact that there is no connection between the remains of the arch attributed to the Arch of Alishah and the vault created in the Ilkhanid Period. According to the architectural evidence and conducted studies, what is certain is that modern remains attributed to Alishah Jilani were created about two centuries after the Ilkhanid Period, and the existing U-shaped brick monument is a later construction phase used to block, complete and convert the land use of the remains of the Ilkhanid building of the northern part that have been created on its southern side; so, there is no connection between the existing U-shaped architectural monument and the famous Alishah Arch.

Abstract Prehistoric funeral ceremony helps the researcher for reconstructing of the different parts of ancient societies, since it has a great connection to various aspects of social and economic parts of human life. Shahr-i Sokhta is one of the important Bronze Age sites in southeast and east of Iranian plateau and the excavations on the necropolis has revealed great quantitative amounts of archaeological material from early to late 3^rd and early 2^nd millennium B.C. By now, more than 1000 graves were excavated by Italian and Iranian mission at the greatest Bronze Age necropolis of Iran. In the present research, by using SPSS application, R- Pearson, F- test and the other kinds of statistical tests have been done for data analysis of the materials excavated on the graveyard of Shahr-i Sokhta. The different aspects of Socio- Economic implications of this society considered by statistical analysis of the graves material of Shahr i Sokhta that excavated from 1997 to 2003 and 214 burials with related dating is taken to account. Therefore, By SPSS application, R- Pearson, F- test and the other kinds of statistical tests have been done for data analysis of the materials. Based on the results, in Shahr-i Sokhta from period I to IV, some changes take place on the grave structures, the number of goods, the number of prestige goods and finally the numerical values of the graves as dependent factors of the research. Interpretation of the results shows that some changes in the socio – economic conditions and class stratification taken place by divide wealth as well as the changes on beliefs of the ritual ceremonies from early 3^rd to early 2^nd millennium B.C. Interpretation of the results shows the meaningful relationship between chronology and number and quality of goods in the grave from period I to period IV

Abstract Abstract
The Shahneh Poshte Cemetery, located in the Babol district and encompassing approximately 11 hectares, represents one of the richest Iron Age sites in both Mazandaran and Iran. Situated in the foothills of the central Alborz Mountains, the site was excavated over two field seasons in 2018 and 2019. These investigations resulted in the identification of 39 analyzable burials, along with a diverse assemblage of associated grave goods, including pottery vessels, ornaments, decorative items, and weapons. This study seeks to establish both relative and absolute chronologies through comparative analysis of selected artifacts, supplemented by radiocarbon dating of human remains and charcoal samples. In addition, it addresses questions concerning cultural interactions between Shahneh Poshte and both intra-regional sites within Mazandaran and extra-regional sites across the Iranian Plateau. The funerary assemblages indicate that the majority of burials and material culture correspond closely to local Mazandaran stylistic traditions. However, certain objects exhibit affinities with broader trans-regional formal styles characteristic of areas such as Gilan, Gorgan, the central Iranian Plateau, and northwestern Iran during the late second and first millennia BC. Radiocarbon analysis of five human skeletons, yielding dates from the late second millennium to the second half of the first millennium BC, corroborates the relative chronology established through typological comparison. On the basis of combined relative and absolute chronological assessments of the 39 burials, 29 graves can be assigned to Iron Age I–III, while the remaining 10 are attributable to the late Achaemenid–early Parthian period (Iron IV). As at other significant Iron Age cemeteries, pottery constitutes the principal diagnostic category for establishing relative chronology at Shahneh Poshte. The range and typology of ceramic vessels demonstrate strong stylistic and cultural connections with contemporaneous sites within Mazandaran and across Iran more broadly.
Keywords: Shahneh Poshte Cemetery, Relative and Absolute Chronology, Iron Age, Human Burials, Funerary Objects.
 
1. Introduction
The Iron Age and its early stages are among the most questionable and complex archaeological topics in Iran and fundamental questions about it are still being raised after years of archaeological excavations. From the beginning until now, the focus of research on the Iron Age in Iran has been mainly on the Central Plateau, Zagros and especially northwestern regions, which was first established by Dyson’s extensive excavations at Hasanlu and the study of other important sites in the Solduz and Oshnavieh plains such as Yanik Tepe, Geoy Tepe, Haftvan, Dinkhah and Aqrab Tepe (see Dyson, 1965a; Dyson and Muscarella. 1989). In other words, other problems related to study of the Iron Age in Iran are dating, presenting a chronology and dividing it into three stages which was previously done based on the Hasanlu project. Now, with our increasing knowledge of different regions of Iran, the need to review the chronology and the way in which the Bronze Age cultures ended, the transition process and the beginning of the Iron Age is felt more than ever. However, studies related to Iron Age cultures in different regions of Iran have not been conducted in the same way, and many regions including northern slopes of the Alborz and the plains of the southern margin of Caspian Sea are full of ambiguities about processes of the beginning of the Iron Age and its developmental stages. In this regard and based on a study of one of the Iron Age societies in northern Iran, the present study attempts to address the questions of this important field by providing absolute dating of five human burials and two charcoal samples from the settlement area, as well as a comparative study of the cultural materials of the Shahneh Poshte cemetery and their comparative studies within the Iron Age chronology of Mazandaran and Iran. In other words, the combination of absolute and relative dating is one of the most advanced projects in explaining the chronology of Iron Age of Mazandaran and northern Iran, which will partially address the challenges of the limited knowledge of this period in this field and will answer questions about the absolute and relative date and sequence of use of this site, the chronological relationship of the burials of site with each other, as well as explaining the chronology of Iron Age and historical period of Mazandaran and some cultural regions of Iran.
 
2. Discussion
One of the most important aspects of the Shahneh Poshte cemetery study, which distinguishes it among the many Iron Age sites in the Mazandaran region and Iran, is the absolute carbon-14 dating studies on a number of human remains and cultural materials from this cemetery. A total of 7 absolute dating samples, including 5 human burial remains and 2 charcoal samples from two settlement trenches, clearly show that 39 burials at this site are located in the Iron I to Achaemenid-Early Parthian period (Iron IV), such that burial number 3 is related to Iron I (1008-1216 BCE/1192-1047 BCE), burial number 8 is related to late Iron I and early Iron II (917-1108 BCE/936-1043 BCE), burial number 35 is related to the Iron II period (834-925 BCE/822-983 BCE), burial number 18 is related to the late Achaemenid/Iron IV period (338 BCE) and finally burial number 20 belongs to late Achaemenid-Early Parthian period (Iron IV/4th to 2nd centuries BCE). In addition to the absolute dating of human burials, also two absolute dating samples were extracted from trench 7 and contexts 4 and 5 with settlement evidence which are very valuable in their own right. Therefore, two charcoal samples from Context 4 dated 215±30 BCE and Context 5 dated 160±30 BCE in Trench 7 showed that the Shahneh Poshte cemetery was used simultaneously as a cemetery and settlement space after the end of Iron III during the Achaemenid, Seleucid and early Parthian periods (in line with burial findings of Trench 6). Also, comparative studies for relative dating including the morphology of the body and handle and the color of the vessels in forms such as gray, red, brown, red-orange jars and jugs, bowls, vessels with solar bodies and handles, milk jugs, tripod vessels as well as weapons, ornaments and some structures of the graves, in line with the absolute dates of the site, exactly complement the chronological framework of Shahneh Poshte and all can be dated to the Iron Ages I, II, III and finally IV (late Achaemenid to early Parthian), generally the 12th to 3rd centuries BC. In fact, these objects are clearly comparable with contemporaneous intra-regional sites in Mazandaran province as well as other regions including the Gorgan Plain, Gilan, central plateau and northwest Iran. Based on the archaeological evidence, it seems that during the Iron I-III periods and then Iron IV (Achaemenid to early Parthian period), there is a great deal of similarity between Iron Age sites in large parts of Iran. Among these, Iron Age of Mazandaran has the greatest similarity with the Gilan region sites such as Qaleh-e-Kuti I and II, Kalvarz, Meryan, Tandovin, Tol, as well as with the Central Plateau region with sites such as Sagzabad and Qeytariyeh.
 
3. Conclusion
As one of the large and very rich cemeteries in the central Alborz basin in northern Iran, the Shahneh Poshte cemetery is an important site for a case study on the cultural trends and cultures of the Iron Age in northern Iran and the Mazandaran region. It can answer many questions about the processes of the region’s entry into the Iron Age, including socio-cultural changes, economic and nutritional patterns, burial traditions and practices, social classifications and common class systems, structures of graves and cultural-commercial connections within and outside the region through the study of burial data. Initial studies of the cultural materials of this site in the form of 39 burials and settlement contexts, as well as other surface artifacts obtained during two seasons of archaeological excavations indicate abundant typological connections with findings from neighboring Iron Age sites in Mazandaran and other parts of Iran, just as a major part of the chronology and sequence of the Iron Age in different regions of Iran is based on relative and comparative chronology with other regions. In summary, the diverse and diverse collection of graves in the Shahneh Poshte cemetery, based on absolute dating studies (5 samples of human skeletal and 2 charcoal samples from settlement contexts) as well as relative and comparative dating with intra-regional areas of Mazandaran and neighboring areas like the Gorgan Plain, Gilan, Semnan and the central plateau (Tehran, Rey, Qazvin, Karaj and Kashan) indicates a long-term history of use of site from the late 2nd millennium BCE to the early second half of the 1st millennium BCE. More precisely, the people of northern foothills of the Alborz mountain range in the south of the Babol region of Mazandaran used this space and place to bury their dead from the Iron Age I, probably continuously, to the Achaemenid, Seleucid and early Parthian periods (Iron IV) and have used their burial methods and traditions for several generations. The set of 7 absolute dating samples along with the study of dateable burial objects reveals the cultural and social trends of Shahneh Poshteh people society and thus makes a significant contribution to the reconstruction and compilation of the Iron Age chronology of Mazandaran and Iran.

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 of of Azerbaijan Republic. The survey of the surrounding area gives an account of the different graves. The greaves are characterized by simple grave; Megalithic graves with and without Stele and Kurgan mound. The large Megalithic are a form of graves with large stone structure, such as Gale Khosro and Shahrieri. The burial mounds or Kurgans are a form of monumental architecture found throughout Ardabil Province, in Meshkinshar, Idier and Gozalou near Parsabad. Most of the graves in Ardabil Province are dated to the late Chalcolithic -early Bronze Age to Iron Age.    

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 by agricultural villagers for millennia. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the region attracted the attention of European travelers and archaeologists, who were fascinated by the Great Gorgan Wall, the remains of medieval cities, as well as the hundreds of ancient mounds that dot the plain. Despite over one hundred years of archaeological survey in the Gorgan Plain, however, we still know very little about historical trends in settlement before the Iron Age. Through the digital integration of five previously published surveys of the Gorgan Plain and a novel  remote survey methodology using Google Earth, it has been possible for the first time to perform a basic characterization of the late prehistoric settlement patterns of the Gorgan Plain.

Abstract Archaeogenetics, a nascent and emerging science, is based on a combination of biology and genetics which has a high potential in discovering the untold facts about livelihood and culture of ancient times, such as modern human origins and diets evolutionary trend. This area of biology, also focus on migration and geographical distribution of humans and genetic variation in ancient DNA samples around the world in comparison to modern humans. Highly polymorphic DNA regions like STR found on the male-specific Y chromosome in nucleus and mitochondrial (mt) DNA are used in archaeogenetics to study genetic variation within a target population. mtDNA D-loop region is very polymorphic that consists of two hyper variable regions including HVI and HVII with a large variety in different human populations. Analysis on these regions of mtDNA using ancient excavated human bones will lead to determine the genetic composition of human mtDNA known as haplogroups. mtDNA can be used to identify the ancient ethnic groups, trace descendants of ancestors and their migration trails.This is achieved by comparing mtDNA haplogroups between different ethnic groups all over the world.In this study, we have performed analysis using ancient DNA extracted from 5 excavated human bones. Ancient human bones were obtained from Haft-Tepe. We performed PCR amplifications for HVI and HVII regions of the mtDNA followed by sequencing with ABI. Then comparisons The Cambridge Reference Sequence and the sequences obtained in the current study were done at NCBI site. Hoplogroup residents were R2 and R5. By tracking haplogroups from indo-Iranian , we can conclude that these haplogroups dated to 5000 B.P in Iran, and possibly originated in southwestern Iran and from the Elamite civilization.

Abstract The Bakun phase, as one of most significant Chalcolithic cultures of Fars province attributed basic stage related to socio-economic transformation in early village societies of Iran. On the basis of varied archaeological researches regarding Bakun phase, revealed relatively homogenous culture on the whole of Fars and some its neighbors was characterized by Black on Buff painted ceramic assemblage. Northern Fars or Sarhad, as borderland, have had some social interactions between Kur River basin and surrounding regions during Bakun Phase. Rescue excavation at Tappeh Mehr Ali on the Eghlid district during two seasons in 2006 and 2008, uncovered evidences related to Bakun phase, which analysis of them is subject of the paper. The evidences monitor the cultural interactions, and also review Bakun stratigraphic sequences on Northern Fars.

Abstract Transformation Processes cover the issues on interactions between tools and structures with natural and cultural environments. These processes provide a profound concept on the archaeological site formations through which the sites were subjected to the various alterations. Understanding of these processes and their context helps archaeologist to interpret archaeological data in an appropriate way. In this research we have tried to use transformation processes for interpreting of cultural material of a rescue excavations carried out at Tepe Bimarestan in Ashkhane town, North Khorasan Province. Tepe Bimarestan Cemetery is located on the natural hill in the southern periphery of Ashkhane town. The aim of the excavations at this site was at the first to rescue cultural data Bulldozer diggings. This mound was used as cemetery during Iron Age and then by Islamic Periods. Because of the latter, many of Iron Age graves were destroyed except just one escaped. By this process there have been a great number typical Iron Age sherds were scattered over the site. Pottery sherds of Tepe Bimarestan show a close similarity to those found from the Northern Central and northwestern Iran as well as to the potteries of Archaic Dehistan Culture from South-West Turkmenistan. A more detailed study of these pottery comparisons clarified two periods of the Iron Age; 1- Early Iron Age and or earlier; and 2- Late Iron Age. The results obtained could help to conclude that the site was firstly used as a cemetery during the early Iron Age but then during the Late Iron Age this place was altered to have been settled temporarily by the nomadic peoples.

Abstract In Islamic architecture, the architect always tried to decorate the internal and external areas in different ways. One type of these decorations is called Brick Working, which was current in Pre-Ilkhanid, Ilkhanid period, and after this period. This decoration was used in two ways.
In Ilkhanid period, the architect used a type of brick which was exactly formed in favorite shapes before baking. The slots between the bricks could be filled by plaster decorative hubs and decorative stamps, such as holy names, flowers, geometric motifs, besides mortar. This kind of decoration was current in Seljuk and Ilkhanid periods and is visible in monuments such as: mosques, tombs, towers, caravanserais, madrasahs and shrines. In this paper, the writer will explain about the history and origin of decorative stamps during Ilkhanid period and their different kinds in used different buildings and their comparison with the earlier period, i.e. the Seljuk period.

Abstract According to zooarchaeological evidence, Central Zagros as a center of domestication experienced independently the first step of livestock domestications. It seems that Capra hircus have been domesticated about 10,500 B.C in Central Zagros and since then, has played a key role in the food economy of this region. Outstanding development of genetics shed new lights on the origins of goat and domestication process of this species in southwestern Asia. The aim of this study was a pure extraction of ancient DNA and then amplification of hypervariable segment of mtDNA through PCR technique. Then the prime query of this research was recognition of Neolithic goat haplotypes and their comparison with the modern standard haplotypes through phylogenetic tree.

Abstract Stable isotope analysis, being used in many research areas, has also been applied in archaeology during the last three decades to address questions regarding the paleoclimatology and ancient diet, mobility and migration. Despite the growing number of the application of stable isotope analysis in archaeological studies, there is a very few research in this regard in archaeology of Iran. This research aims to study the human skeleton remains of Iron Age site of Masjed Kabud in Tabriz, using strontium stable isotope analysis. Therefore, tooth and bone samples obtained from skeletons of the mentioned site where studied through strontium isotope ratio (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) and trace element analysis Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca to address the question if the skeletons are local or non-local. Result of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr revealed that all samples could be considered as local except of 81-8 burial, which belongs to a female individual, as it was out of the local range (local mean ± 2 SD). The result of trace element analysis and measuring the Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca were analyzed statistically suing independent test sample. Results for both sample groups (Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca between teeth and bones) demonstrate that there is no significant difference between the two sample groups. Therefore skeletons could be considered as local. This research in addition to addressing the hypothesis, mentioned above, revealed that the method could be applied in similar research projects and the result of strontium isotope and trace element analysis could be also sued in different studies such as archaeology, geology and other interdisciplinary scientific areas.

Abstract As the chief communication channel between eastern and western civilizations, the  Silk Road has played the significant role in the history of northeastern Iran. The  Silk Road has provided a communicative way for commercial exchanges in one hand, and was in used by invader nomads in order to plunder of northeastern Iran during many decades in other hand. The contacts have led to interaction between various cultures and caused the populations expansions along the  Silk Road. Some metropolises such as Nishapur shows very well the significant role of the  Silk Road in the formation process of human settlements. Nishapur has continuously developed in the steady interaction with the Silk Road and has caused to flourish the road during the millennia. We can find some aspects of the process through studying historical documents and archaeological analysis.

Abstract According to technical presages, in the preliminary studies, we have found that there are at least 12 different kinds of stucco decorations belonging to the Islamic periods of Iran. Technical executive details in each kind of these decorations depending on composition and method of treatment, manner of forming, and measure of relieve are different. Unlike two common categorizations which are based on method of forming and/ or measure of relieve, this kind of new categorization has founded on technical details and executive methods. Therefore it can be more suitable for conservation and restoration goals, technological and archeological aims, as well as in scientific research for understanding and presentation of traditional methods and technology used to create these works of art. The results of these studies have lead us to a technical classification of stucco decorations that contains: high relief, semi relief, mould stucco, Koshtehbori, Cupbori, combined with tile or glass, Tongbori, lattice, and coiled paste on the flat mirror, combined with Simgel, and mosaic stucco decorations.

Abstract Moreover, inscribed bricks of two Elamite kings, Šutruk-Nahhunte and his son, Kutir-Nahhunte, were also found that all of them referring to construction and repairs of a temple devoted to the Manzat goddess. In 2000, surface surveys on Deh Nou mound was done by by one of us (B. Mofidi). According to the results of these surveys and geophysical measurements which were accomplished in parts of the mound in 2002, a decision was made for a more detailed study on the various layers of this archaeological mound. This was performed in the spring of 2012. During this season of excavations, in order to identify Elamite artifacts, sections were cut at different heights in the body of the natural floodways locating in the middle of the mound. This stratigraphy showed that upper part of the mound ground consists of a 2 meter layer of Islamic artifacts. Despite the identification of Parthian pottery on the surface of the mound, no evidence of settlements from this historical period was traced in the excavated part

Abstract The analysis of natural and cultural factors in the contexts of an archeological site would reveal the processes constituting the event of settlement after the formation of cultural layers. In other words with the study of cultural processes, we seek the information and patterns which cause formation, shaping, and unevenness of the site to its present shape. In this regard, the initial studies in Tepe Ferizi indicated that its particular current shape and topography has been formed under the depositional processes of natural factors because of the specific ecological characteristics of the area. The study site is located in northwest of Sabzevar close to the Sabzevar–Esfarayen Road. According to the surveys conducted in this region most of the artifacts discovered from Ferizi site were assigned to be contemporanous with the Bronze Age horizon and most of its pottery materials were recognized to be related to the Bactria Margiana archaeological complex (BMAC). Based on the distribution of surfacial artifacts on the site it can be regarded as one of the largest settlements of Bronze Age north east of Iran.The main goal of the study of post-depositional processes in Ferizi site is to understand the formation of depositions and cultural layers after the abandonment of site and to assess the role of the different natural and cultural factors affecting the transformations of the site.

Abstract The site of Kul Tepe is located near the city of Hadishahr, is an ancient multi-period tell about 6ha in extent and rises 19m above the surrounding land. At this site, the second season of archeological excavation primarily aimed to clarifying the chronology, settlement organization, and respond to some of the fundamental questions such as the transition process from Late Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age, identifying different cultural horizon including Proto-Kura-Araxes and Kura-Araxes I period and also outlining cultural condition of the region during prehistoric and historic periods. The present paper is intended to expose briefly the main stratigraphic, architectural and material data from the site. Based on the results of the first and second season of excavation, it was distinguished that Kul Tepe possessed cultural material from Late Neolithic/Early Chalcolithic (Dalma), Late Chalcolithic (Pisdeli=LC1; LC­ 2 and 3=Chaff-faced Ware), Proto-Kura-Araxes and Kura-Araxes I, Early, Middle, Late Bronze Age, Iron III, Urartian and Achaemenid periods.

Abstract Based on excavations of the destroyed The Maragheh Observatory it appears to be some circular plan foundations with no architectural evidences. It also seen that the Spatial and formal characteristics of The Observatory architectural units are not specified. The function and use of them are neither specified. The aim of the present paper is to find the architectural organization of the Maragheh Observatory and to answer the basic questions about the shape, arrangement and functional aspects of the observatory that the explorers of the Observatory have not responded to. With the reference to the architecture of the existing ancient observatories the hypothesis was that through a comparative study, an architectural algorithm/pattern could be found and used to determine the shape and arrangement of Maragheh Observatory. For this reason, Jaipur Observatory was selected as the main reference for the architectural comparative study due to its planning and construction imitated from the Maragheh Observatory. This paper also presents the evidences of the functional link between the two juxtaposed units that their foot prints are already existed in the site. It is noted that the restoration of this observatory will also be useful with regard to the development of an attractive and unique archeological and culturally based tourism.

Abstract At present, Faryomad is one of the valleys in Mayami County from Shahrood City that is situated at the eastern part of Semnan Province (Iran). According to Hamdolah Mostofi, a historian, this city was the capital of Jovein County at 8th hegira century (15th AD century). During Ilkhanates Dynasty, this city was highly credible for several reasons. Name of this city has been implied in historical sources. Dolat Shah Samarghandi implied building of Faryomad Town and illustrated it as a beautiful and splendid region. Its old building may be dated from the late Seljuk era and the early Khwarazmian Dynasty (1077-1231AD). According to the existing evidence and proofs, this city has been more likely reconstructed during Khwarazmian and Ilkhanates perfectly. This building is important in terms of architectural aspect. In general, Great Mosque is an urban sign during Islamic period. Furthermore, there have some urban public areas including hospital in Faryomad. Thus, this Great Mosque has established a matrix (functional) and spatial relationship with the given city. One may deem Faryomad’s great mosque as a museum for Iranian architectural decorations in Islamic period. This mosque has double- story (Hexa- Style) porch where verandas of mosque are higher than the level of its hall. Proximity of porches together may cause lessening the area of hall in mosque. Lack of minaret or prayer’s call tower on these porches and before its entrance, the existing ceramic massive decorations with novel and beautiful geometric designs, using Kufi, Thuluth and Reyhan Scripts with moldings included Quranic verses and Islamic Traditions (Hadith), along with plant and geometric designs are some of distinct characteristics of this mosque

Abstract Central Zagros and its eastern regions have relatively a favorable environmental condition for the formation of ancient settlements. One of these regions is Malayer intermountain plain that is located in the vicinity of Hamadan, Nahavand and Boroujerd. According to archaeological evidence, beginning of the setteling in this plain is Chalcolithic period. However, recent studies have identified several sites of the Neolithic in the region. The present study examined the Chalcolithic and Bronze Age settlement pattern in the southwest of the region. The research is based on the study of archaeological data obtained from the fieldwork of the region. For achieving considered goals, we have used and analyzed geographical information, using Arc GIS 9.2 software and then, for interpretation of data, Excel software was applied. By establish a data bank for the study, which is in the form of geographical information system, we carried out analysis on spatial distribution of the sites. Study of the neighborhoods cultures impact based on archaeological data is the other issues in this research. According to the comparison of data it can be said that cultural interactions have been between the central Zagros region and Kangavar plains. Analysis of the data has also revealed a linear model of sites distributed along the rivers and irrigation canals.

Abstract Analyzing administrative documents holds significant importance within the realms of archaeology and sociology, akin to the study of other archaeological evidence. These examinations play a pivotal role in reconstructing various systems, encompassing management, social dynamics, economic structures, and political frameworks. Delving into administrative management within prehistoric societies unveils the intricate social intricacies and the supervision exercised by a designated leader or head over a subordinate group, representing an internal control mechanism. Notably, seals, impressions on seals, and diverse accounting artifacts serve as pivotal administrative documents. However, the exploration and investigation of such cultural data in northwestern Iran remain relatively scarce. Therefore, the current study endeavors to present, evaluate, and scrutinize the administrative records of Chalcolithic societies in northwestern Iran, employing a descriptive-analytical approach. Numerous inquiries persist without resolution regarding the administrative records and evidence pertaining to the later prehistory of northwest Iran. Ambiguity surrounds the quantification of Chalcolithic administrative documents within this region. Furthermore, the methodology for analyzing and evaluating the ownership and managerial evidence from the later prehistoric era in this area remains unclear. Addressing these uncertainties can establish a definitive framework and a solid foundation for investigating these matters in northwest Iran. Leveraging administrative data obtained from various sites including Tepe Chay Khoy, Chakhmaqluq, Tepe Kulyeri (Tepe Caravanserai), Sohachay Tepe, and others, the authors conduct an assessment of managerial evidence in the northwestern region of Iran. Furthermore, utilizing extant cultural artifacts and drawing upon the outcomes of prior studies facilitates an exploration into phenomena such as long-distance trade, economic endeavors, social intricacies, and cultural exchanges with neighboring areas

Abstract The Mausoleum of Mir-e-Zobeir, in the village of Sharif Abad in Sirjan, has beautiful decorative embellishments, such as a mihrab, inscriptions, arcades, squinches, and so on. So far, there has not been a full and comprehensive study of this work and the artist who created it. In this study, due to the similarity of the plastering of this building, in terms of structure, motifs and inscriptions, with the plasterings of Imam-Zade Rabieh-Khatun of Oshtarjan, the Kochemmir Mosque of Natanz and the Kermani Mosque in Torbat-e Jam, which is signed by Kermanian artists, we decided to consider their visual features as the basis of our comparative study, while referring to the mihrab that is the work of the Kermanian artists and achieve our goals, including studying the plaster decoration of the Mir-e-Zobeir tomb in Sirjan and also finding the reasons for its assignment to the Kermanian artists. The data was collected based on field studies, such as visiting the buildings under study and taking pictures of them, referring to written sources. The data obtained from study samples was analyzed by comparative historical method. Therefore, due to the common features of the stucco involving the signing of Kermanian artists with the plasterings of the Mirzebir tomb in Sirjan, as in their structure, decorations of the mihrab pendentive and some arcades with a circle form, the tangent form of this circle form in all the pendentives with their peripheral wall, as well as the motifs, like Cathay flowers and leaves with similar surface decorations, and also the inscriptions, like placing a fixed place for installing inscriptions containing the name of the artist and the date of making the mihrab, compaction and detailing of the belt inscriptions, etc., it can be said with certainty that the decorations of this building are also works of Kermanian artists

Abstract In this paper we have studied bronze and silver coins belonging to the Elymaean using PIXE analytical method to identify concentration of elements as well as chemical composition of metals to understand the number of mines and the number of mint. To achieve the above mentioned goals, we analyzed 35 coinages of Elymais dated to about (85 BC -224 AD). Results obtained indicated that percent proportion of main elements of coins such as silver and copper were differently used in the three periods of Elymaean and coins made in the first period have had more purity. Furthermore, the analyzed coins are minted in five mint centers and their primal raw materials were explored from three different sources. The statistical analysis was performed by using of SPSS software.

Abstract As an important type of ancient artwork, the Chinese blue and white porcelain entered Iran through the artists and merchants during the Safavid era (1501–1736 AD), and it strongly influenced the Islamic ceramic industry at that time. Chinese blue and white porcelain wares can be considered as the most decorative ceramic art. Bowls and plates with a floral rim and teacups were exported from China to the overseas markets. The influence of this art and its motifs can be seen in the examples obtained from the excavations at Jahan Nama Palace in the old city of Farahabad. Not only the Chinese ceramic finds from this excavation show the long-distance trade from China, the artistic imitation in the porcelain manufacturing and porcelain also can be seen in different areas of Iran. According to the historical sources and accounts, the Farahabad historical complex is a part of the city with the same name, which was built on Tahan village by the order of Shah Abbas I, and the early history of this city dates to 1612 AD in an area of ​​about 40 hectares along the Tajan River and close to the littoral area of the Caspian Sea. The purpose of this research is to study and discuss the blue and white porcelain of Jahan Nama Palace and the extensive trade and port status of the important city of Farahabad in the Safavid era.

Abstract This paper will suggest a hypothesis about the Early Bronze Age administrative organization of Chogha Maran and the Mahidasht in the West Central Zagros based on administrative evidence retrieved from the Early Bronze Age trash deposits excavated at the site of Chogha Maran and previous researches and fieldworks carried out in the region. Based on this hypothesis, in order to adapt to the socio-economic and political developments of the Late Forth and Early Third Millennium B.C. and trying to diversify their subsistence strategies, communities of the region developed a village based mixed economy involving settled farmer groups and mobile pastoralist groups who could exploit pastoralism potential of the mountainous environment of the region as well as reorganizing regional and interregional trade around the Khorasan Highroad. Administrative organization of the communities had to be adjusted to the absence of mobile groups in the village during some periods of the year, therefore, they constructed a communal administration in which each group of people could store their products, foodstuff and properties and access to them when they need. As a result, different groups of people, especially the mobile ones had the assurance that they could protect and control their belongings in the village. Testing the hypothesis requires further studies on the administrative evidence excavated at Chogha Maran as well as museum research and fieldworks.