Journal of Archaeological Studies

Abstract The contact between major settlements in the Central Plateau of Iran, especially in desert areas, was not possible without having a secure communication system. In this regard, designing communication networks through constructing secure roads with halfway caravansarais in desert areas, usually without secure underground and surface water supply, needed special insights and provisions. Iranians with good knowledge on water resources and inventing developed techniques of provision, transfer, and reserving water, in addition to constructing halfway installations, in a best way established the necessary foundations for commercial, political, and economic communication between major governmental and commercial centers. Constructing caravansarais and extensive road systems in arid and dry areas in Central Plateau was possible through inventing Qanat and designing water transfer system by digging canals in stone, making ceramic pipe lines (Tanbushe), and constructing water reservoirs.
The present study is seeking to solve the basic question on the circumstances of designing the water provision systems in halfway caravansarais. For this purpose we chose Nowgonbad caravansarai in the area between Naein and Arekan. Our methodology was based on both examining sources and field observations.
In the study area we know, through sources, the existence of confident water resources near Arekan village, 15 km far from Nowgonbad caravanserai, from at least the 7th century AD. In addition, there was a sophisticated water transfer system designed and executed by use of ceramic water pipes by which water could reach the Nowgonbad caravanserai, where it was stored in reservoirs and then used by the various caravans.

Abstract The present article investigates the administrative structure of the Pottery Mound from an administrative management point of view. Data obtained from excavation of the Pottery Mound has generated an extensive archeological databank relating to the beginning of the historical era with a focus on the emergence of management and administrative systems in the Central Iranian Plateau. In the Proto-Elamite period, major changes are observed in the economic systems, as well as shifts from a kinship-based society towards one of a class-based nature, which contributed to the rise in the number of economic entities and the organizational growth of the labor force. As a specialized center for administrative management located in the northern area of the Central Iranian Plateau, the pottery mound was managed by a group of economic and social elites, i.e. the Proto-Elamite lords, supervised the production and exchange of merchandise, and embraced all the criteria necessary for a pre-governmental society. The Pottery Mound expands our knowledge of the role played by commercial exchanges in the development and progress of complicated societies within the area of the Central Iranian Plateau. According to the administrative and management data on the Pottery Mound region, the power hierarchy of this society, on whose foundation was an elite or a group of social elites, served to coordinate various decisions, while also organizing and controlling other contemporary societies with the Pottery region as the center within the location of Rey Plain. Drawing on the management data obtained in the course of four seasons of investigations into the Pottery Mound, the present article seeks to study the developmental trend of the pre-governmental institutions in the Central Iranian Plateau and the economic as well as social status of the Proto-Elamite lords at the end of the fourth and beginning of the third century B.C.

Abstract From the very beginning, archeology has been used by politicians for political purposes. Politicians have employed archeology to destroy or create false national or ethnic histories and identities, or have taken advantage of archeology and its underlying cultural foundations to control the social and political phenomena within the society. Furthermore, the significant role of archeology has not been ignored by politicians for the expansion of cultural tourism and its economic benefits. Archeology can be noticed working behind the political phenomena of nationalism, ethnicism, separatism, internationalism and federalism; meanwhile, archeology provides politicians with the required historical documents for them to prove the truth of their political ideas. Archeology and politics are in interaction with one another. Marxist archeology was formed in the course of an enraged ideological revolution which survived for seventy years as part of the political ideology of the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republic. Nationalist and racist archeologists were in the service of the totalitarian governments so that the community may accept their historical legitimacy. In the occupied Palestine, too, the Zionist regime has been using archeology to give a historical embodiment to the ancient Israeli utopia; similarly the European Union has used this method to change the historical divergence of the European nations to the twenty first convergences. Whereas archeology has no way but to be engaged in politics, it seems that the only solution lies in realizing the global perspective of archeology within the framework of the common heritage of mankind further to the development of an anthropological approach to archeology.

Abstract The present study relies on determination of diet by adapting analysis on carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes extracted from dental collagen of twelve human skeletons buried in Iron Age grave situated in Gohar Tapeh archaic settlement at eastern region of Mazandaran Province, locating on southern coast of Caspian Sea.
The geographical and geometric evidences indicate that Gohar Tapeh zone is situated on a sedimentary plain. On the other hand, discovery of animal’s archaeological data such as ovine species as well as plants’ archeological evidences like barley and the signs relating to farming activities in this zone obtained by using lamella that forms 70% of total stone-made tools, suggesting that animal husbandry and agriculture were among the major activities done by inhabitants in this region.
The results came from analysis on isotopes of carbon (13) and nitrogen (15) also confirmed that the inhabitants had consumed land mammals in their diet in this area. Concentration levels of isotope of carbon 13 which are approximately -20.2 through -19.9 per thousand units signify that there is no sign of consuming plant (C4) in diet of inhabitant people in this region and like today, plants (C3) had been consuming as the dominant flora throughout this zone. The resulting levels of isotopes of nitrogen -15 are about 8.79-11.3 per thousand units so this indicates the presence of land herbivorous animals (Ovine Species) and plants- C3 (wheat and barley) in the given diet. Thus, results of isotopic analysis done for Gohar Tapeh zone show a diet based on plant- C3 ecology in this land. Comparison between results of analysis on samples taken from Gohar Tapeh zone and results of analysis on three other zones (outside Iran) also verifies this point.

Abstract Archaeological excavations at Bishapour have begun in 1921 by Asian department of Louver museum and then continued by Iranian archaeologists till 2009. The 9^th season of excavation at Bishapour was carried out by Mosayyeb Amiri in summer 2011 which have resulted most informative finds. As an important characteristic of the recent work was considering a new approach for documentation and reordering of data. The recent work was conducted on the part of the site known as monarchy citadel located in the south of mosaic hall. So, due to the importance of shard gathered from the last excavation, this paper will focus on classification and typological study of shards of the site.    

Abstract The expansion of grey- black pottery tradition in the Iranian plateau, on the basis of Iron Age theory of cultural dynamism, was emerged by the end of the 2nd millennium BC. Such a pottery tradition is regarded as a cultural sign to point migrants who entered in the Iranian plateau from the northern outside of Caucasus the major. According to the theory, the migrants passed the river valley of Araxes towards the south; and finally settled around the Lake Urmia and other places through the Iranian plateau. Archaeologically, therefore, such a migration should be approved just on the base of material culture affiliations which are visible in both Iranian plateau and beyond, as the Central Asia and Caucasus.
Analytically, at this article, a selected group of typical ceramic wares, found from a burial mound at the Himidan village of Khoda'afarin territory, are described and compared with some samples of pottery traditions in the regions of Nakhichevan, Caucasus and Urmia. Whether they were native people or northern migrants, the results of such analyses answer to the question about the origin of the people whom were buried at the burial mound of Himidan, the Khoda'afarin territory. The pottery tradition found from the burial mound at Himidan, despite of some similarities with pottery assemblages in the NW Iranian plateau and Nakhichevan, presents local characters. Therefore, it does not fall within the Iron Age horizon of the NW Iranian plateau. But, these ceramic wares should be compared with the Qarabagh tradition of the Iron Age in the southern Caucasus. Finally, c. 900 BC is suggested for the burial mound at Himidan by the authors. Archaeologically, the Iron Age traditions around the Lake Urmia are indigenous. These traditions are not yet reported from Nakhichevan region towards the north. In addition, it is remarkable that Qarabagh tradition of the Iron Age were limited to the Southern Caucasus. Consequently, it seems that Qarabgh tradition have a local- native origin.

Abstract The terminology of "Middle Persian" or "Parsic" for Sassanian inscriptions and writings are well known within the Iranian and foreign scholars of linguistics and archaeologists. But there is a special kind of Sassanian and early Islamic writing, which used to be very easy to inscribe at that time (7and 9A.D) but very difficult for deciphering and the Pahlavi readers which is called "Cursive Pahlavi". From this kind of Pahlavi inscriptions and writings we possess some texts on papyrus and parchment, belonging to the period of Sassanian king of Khosro Parviz, who conquered Egypt for about 9 years (619-628A.D). Some of these texts were deciphered and published by Olaf Hanson in 1938 in the book entitled "Die mittelpersischen Papyri der Papyrussammlung der Staatlichen Museen zu Berlin". And another groups are written on broken potteries called Ostraca (pl.of Ostracon), a small number of which were explored by Erich Schmidt and George Miles in 1936 and were published in 1976 by Deborah Thompson in her book "Stucco from Chal Tarkhan-Eshqabad, near Rayy". In 1926 some of the same types were found by Ernest Herzfeld from a district near Varamin which were called "Ostraca from Near Varamin". In 1957 the images of Herzfeld’s findings were published with no decipherments by de Menasce in "CII.VOL.IV-V" though in 1992 most of them were translated and published by Dieter Weber in" CII. Part III Pahlavi Inscriptions, Ostraca, Papyri und Pergamente Textband".
"The Ostracon from  Hegmataneh" which is discussed and presented here has been explored by Mohammad Rahim Sarraf director of Hegmataneh Excavation Project in 1984. This Ostracon is the same type as Ostraca found from Chal-Tarkhan Eshqabad near Rayy; around Varamin; Teppe-mill-e Varamin and Qasr-e Abu Nasr in Shiraz­.

Abstract This paper seeks to document the specific structural patterns of Bit Hilanis architecture which were in used in the ancient Near East from the second to the first millennium B.C. The recognition of Bit Hilanis architectural characteristics as well as their provenances and their spread from Anatoly to Palestine have always remained the important issues to be addressed by art historians and archaeologists. The main goal of this paper is to explain the architectural, religious and economic aspects of Bit Hilanis within the Anatolian cultural contexts and assess their cultural interactions with the adjacent areas. To do this we tried to provide a detailed characteristic of Bit Hilani’s architecture and their related arts as the basis to compare material remains from a group of Bit Hilanis. The comparisons were also developed through regarding the descriptions of Bit Hilanis by the different written sources as through which some parts of either the Bit Hilanis structures or their decoration details could be reconstructed.
 

Abstract The revival of Chalcolithic sites have a particular importance in tracing the settlement patterns of the region, in the aegis of special biological features and replacing in environmental elements. By depicting the special features, the characteristics of plain of Hamedan and its strength in Northern plain (Kaboodarhang) must be hinted. This plain is determined as a joint fund between Central Zagros Region and Central Plateau of Iran, because of the situation and its replacement in an individual climate. Approach to the research, Based on surface survey data analysis purposes GIS and then combine them with data from environmental assessments. Which finally leads to the Analysis Catchment sites.

Abstract "Tol-e- Ajori" is one of the most important ancient sites that is located in Marvdasht plain and three seasons of excavations have been carried out on this site. The goal of expeditions in the excavation of Tol-e- Ajori is the discovery of architectural remains from Achaemenian period which is also decorated with glazed brick. These investigations focused on the characterization and manufacturing process of glazed bricks. Archaeometrical studies are dedicated to technology of the bricks and the glaze through the laboratory studies. Analytical strategies carried out by means of using XRD & XRF, thermal analysis (DTA & TG), and petrographic studies in order to get related information about technology and the manufacturing process of the bricks. Quartz identified as the main phase constituting the bricks in a brick texture fine and uniform dispersion, and formation of secondary phases such as calcite, sericite, anorthite, gehlenite and pyroxene in the brick’s texture suggests that the temperature is approximately about 1100 to 1140°C. Recrystallization of secondary phases were also be the major distraction effect in the body of the Bricks The complex of lead antimony and lead bismuth were the main base of chemical composition of the glaze.

Abstract In February and March 2005, the archaeological survey of Righ Saray desert in the northern part of Varzaneh was conducted. Ancient Rigsray is an area which has been buried by the sandy dunes at the western margin of the marsh Gavkhoni. During this project nearly 100 archaeological sites were identified and recorded. One of the most important sites identified by the survey is Saba 9 which is the subject of present paper. Comparative study on the pottery collection of the site suggests for the site a third millennium B.C. date. The abundance of surface scatters including pottery and especially beads is remarkable and higher density of beads and pendants made from stone, bone and ivory in addition to the finished and unfinished examples on the surface suggest that Saba 9 may have been a manufacturing site for these items. In this article we have tried to determine the relative chronology of the site through the study of pottery and beads by comparing them with well known sites resulted in to conclude the possible interaction of Saba 9 with the contemporary sites of surrounding areas.

Abstract Marble wares found in excavations in Jirof and Shahr-I Sokhta were analyzed by XRF and XRF and examined based on petrographic tests in order to reveal the structural differences. Samples of Jiroft are mainly yellow in color with scattered yellow veins, while those of the Shahr-I Sokhta are quite different in form and have colorful veins ranging from yellow to brown. The present study aimed mainly to examine the two mentioned marble samples structurally and to analyze them chemically. Analyses and petrographic tests revealed that although the two samples were mainly composed of calcite, they were different structurally; samples of Jiroft were structurally composed of scale calcite and those of the Shahr-I Sokhta of radial or needle-like calcite. The depth in which they were formed influences on structure as well. Moreover, the nature of metamorphism and its speed has affected on the structure of marble stones.

Abstract This paper discusses the adaptive typology of the motif “the standing god over the animal” in ancient arts of Mesopotamia and Asia Minor. The focus of attention is on Hittite civilization from Asia Minor and Babylonian, Sumerian, and Assyrian civilizations from Mesopotamia. The analysis of the results indicates that the common conformational characteristic of this motif in the aforementioned civilizations include: 1- the eminence of gods depicted as such. 2- Using this motif to generalize the credibility of gods to the wife and children. 3- Showing the symbolic relationship between the god and the animal standing over it.  Furthermore, the dissimilarities of the motif between the civilizations are in this manner: 1) the evolution of this motif was in the Anatolia under the influence of neighboring civilizations, however, in Mesopotamian motifs this evolution was very much dependent on cultural and artistic achievements of that region. 2) While in both civilizations, the sun and storm gods as well as goddesses are depicted as such, the scribal god in Mesopotamia, and protective god in Hittite civilization are depicted as a standing figure over the animal. 3) There are a wide variety of animals selected and existed for this motif in Mesopotamia. 4) In Asia Minor, animals are depicted realistically while in Mesopotamia hybrid animals are used.

Abstract Twelve seasons of archaeological excavations at Bronze Age urban center of Shahdad, made possible to assign the Lut area as an important region in the archaeology of Iran Recently, an extensive archaeological survey was conducted in a 100×40 Km area on the eastern flank of Kerman range and bordering the western fringes of Lut Desert. The survey was planned in the hope of providing answers to, or at least evidence pertaining to, some regional questions. Our main objectives were to identify the settlement patterns of the region through the ancient times, investigate the human-environment interactions and settlement development during prehistoric times in a region where previous excavations had documented the existence of a significant Early Bronze Age urban center. The survey led to identifying eighty-seven ancient sites dating from the fifth millennium BC to the late Islamic era. Of the recorded sites, twenty-three are assigned to prehistoric times (Chalcolithic period and Bronze Age). This paper discusses the prehistoric settlement patterns and the human-environment interactions on the west of Lut Desert.

Abstract Systematic excavations of 2012 and 2014 at the Early Bronze Age site of Kohna Shahar, situated in northwestern quadrant of West Azerbaijan Province, have brought to light new evidence. The available data on the pottery from the site comes merely from surface surveys, and no archaeometric and mineralogical analyses have been undertaken on its pottery assemblage. The sample examined in the present work consisted of handmade black-gray, red and yellow ceramics of the late third millennium B.C., which derived from a single stratum and a single phase (settlement phase 5), and was selected by virtue of the typological variations that existed between some of the red ware instances and those of black-gray forms. Accordingly, mineralogical analysis was conducted and the similarities and dissimilarities between the two groups, i.e. black-gray and red forms, were established. Results of thin-section petrography and x-ray diffraction suggested that the examined sample had a similar composition and mineralogy, with the entire specimen having been locally manufactured. Both groups of the ceramics were fired below 850°C, and merely differed from each other in terms of and firing technique.  

Abstract Translation was indubitably one of the eminent skills of Muslims. The tendencies of society for acquiring science and craft, great attention of caliphs and fond-of-science families, the very existence of numerous libraries, cheap price of paper and etc., were of the reasons of Muslims’ overall attention to translating skills. Such attention led to the transition of past nations’ legacies to Islamic nations and from there to west. But what consequences has been this transition between the Western and Islamic nations? The purpose of this research is to consider the consequences of the transition of science to Islamic and west lands and nations. For this research, descriptive-analytical research method is followed and study method is library-based and such conclusion was reached: the confrontation of Muslims with the people of defeated lands, translation movement began to start and numerous books of different languages were translated into Arabic. On the other hand, west too, benefited from the advantages of translation and its own and other nations’ cultural transition which smoother the path for the arrival of Cultural Renaissance.

Abstract Economic transformation is one of the most important parts of cultural system and has vital role in transformation of any social entity. For this reason, study of archaeological evolution of industrial spaces will clarify part of an ambiguity in understanding modernization and metamorphosis in social forces of study periods. In order to contribute an answer to this question, this paper studies four industrial buildings (from Qajar and Pahlavid Periods) in an historical context of change in economy of production. The ultimate goal is to specify the implied structure of spaces in the historical context within the new mode of production. The conclusion, here is that the change in space it is also parallel with the change in social structure of work has not a clear-cut equal relation with the latter. The past methods of production were still modifying the methods and processes of work in the modern societies, a modification which might cause the formation of social solidarity in the course of production process.

Abstract The concept of legitimation in the Sasanian was formed on Khwarrah and provided a spiritual authority for their king. Khwarrah as a Godly force, due to the government communications was sent into the Byzantine and it led to forming a common approach in displaying religious legitimacy. This concept has needed variety of symbols based on religious beliefs that are equal and replaced with each other in artworks. How to organize the message of legitimacy with the help of these symptoms is the aim of this study that was done by semiotics method. According to this method, artworks are based on a code which involves Interactive multilateral as a discursive position. Decoding by positioning in the axis of juxtaposition and succession, specify that message in each representation expresses its content with a cofactor (Anchor) which forms the main structure. The first anchor is Gods and angels as donors’ legitimation and symptoms bringers. They are generally donated a ring instead of the second factor that links visual codes and also plays a main role. So the case study signs are placed in the center of this ring.

Abstract Seven pieces of celadon from a recent excavation in the historical ruins of port of Harireh in Kish Island in Iran have been studied in order to characterize the wares. Investigations were carried out on the body as well as the glaze of celadons. Celadon samples were investigated petrologically and chemically by polarized light microscopy (LM), environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), quantitative X-ray diffraction with Rietveld refinement (QXRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and simultaneous thermos-analytic (STA) in order to understand their manufacturing process The amount of FeO as the main glaze constituent and K in the body is quantitatively calculated for possible modelling of technology as essential know-how. Based on the Na2O and CaO constituents, celadons show high similarities to the wares made in China-Kiln. The mineralogical composition of the pottery proves that the firing temperature of celadon was about 1200-1300ºC. Production technology of the celadon potteries has been evaluated by means of suitable raw materials which have not been fitted in south Iranian coastal Gulf.

Abstract In autumn 2014, sewer construction works in one of the busiest parts of Tehran yielded Islamic pottery sherds from the Safavid to Qajar periods. Following a visit by archaeologists from the Iranian Centre for Archaeological Research, one of the authors (MEEJ) was appointed as the director of salvage excavations at archaeologically sensitive locations along the sewer line that had provided evidence such as potsherds, glass fragments, metal pieces and bricks. We opened six small trenches along the line of sewer construction, of which, Trenches I and VI proved to be more important the others due to the finds they yielded. These find, based on comparable specimens, can be dated to the fifth millennium BC or even earlier, Late Neolithic. In fact, Tehran for its favorable environmental conditions is one of the best areas to host Chalcolithic sites. The results of Moulavi excavations provided significant information about the prehistoric cultures of the Iranian Central Plateau, especially Chalcolithic cultures. The archaeological finds of the Trench I include potsherds of Cheshmeh Ali culture, animal bones, lithics such as blades, bladelets and bullet-shaped core, a possible hearth and a human burial; all these finds indicate sporadic settlement of the early Chalcolithic period in the Tehran Plain. The results of analyzed specimens from this trench confirm the existence of an occupation from the sixth to the first millennium at this spot. In this paper we describe and discuss the results of Trench I.

Abstract Archaeological studies of ancient cities have a significant role in understanding their formation, their development, the fall and destruction in different historical periods. According to the historical sources (the 10^th to 14^th century A.D) there has been an ancient city named Shapurkhast on the western of Iran, which its history dates back to Sasanian era. In these sources, the city has constructed by Shapur I (240-272 A.D). Life in the city had continued during the Islamic period until the 14^th A.D. The city reached its peak in the 11^th century AD. The remnants of the old city have been founded at south-eastern parts of the modern city of Khorram Abad especially from the excavations in 2007. The present research analyses the data derived from the historical resources and archaeological evidences in order to study and investigate the factors in settling in the area. This study deals with the formation, development and prosperity and then the fall of Shapurkhast city. The results of this study imply that the main period of occupation of Shapurkhast was Islamic era that its foundation has been made at pre-Islamic periods, and probably even Parthian era. Having appropriate environmental conditions and also lying at the middle of west to east and north to south communication routes, the south plain of Khorram Abad has potentially provided suitable living conditions for forming the city. It seems that Shapurkhast has been abandoned at the 13^th or 14^th A.D and modern Khorram Abad began to function as the central town of the region. Environmental and ecological conditions are the most important factors for the collapse of the city.
The present study is based on a "holistic" approach and based on two categories of historical and archaeological information which has provided new information about one of the early Islamic cities in Iran. The data is based on historic sources from the 10^th to 14^th AD, and archaeological evidences from the excavation at southeastern Khorram Abad in 2007 and then archaeological surveys at Khorram Abad gorge in 2000 and 2016.
The most important questions in this research are the following:
1. When did the settlement in the city of Shapur Khasta begin and what were the reasons for the formation of the city?
2. In what period and based on which components are the peak of prosperity and urban development introduced?
3. What were the factors that cause the collapse and fall of the city in the Middle of Islamic period and the transfer of its population to the northwest of the town?
The research hypothesis is that Shapurkhast city was an important early Islamic city, which its foundation was made before of Islamic period. There has not been much research about the city of Shapurkhast from the formation to the fall. Additionally, available researches are relatively old and no new comprehensive research has been done on the city with archaeological viewpoint, and some of the reports have not been published. Therefore, we will try to use archaeological evidences, written sources and the historical maps aiming to provide suitable information about one of the unknown cities in Iran.
 Urban development and urbanization was formed as a manifestation of the power of the Sassanid Empire in Iran and in competition with the Roman Empire (Moqimizade, 2017). the development of urban settlements has been subject to environmental, economic and social conditions; That is, urban settlements were centers of communication, recreation, and redistribution of commercial goods to subordinate cities and states. Around the city of Shapurkhast; Suitable ecological substrates including important Zagros highlands around, rich water resources especially KhorramAbad and Karganeh rivers, flat and fertile plain south of the valley, and most importantly being located in the east-west and north-south communication routes from The main factors in the formation of settlements in the south of Khorramabad valley, followed by the formation of urban settlements. We know very little about the formation of the city. Due to the development of the Silk Road in the Parthian period and the location of the city in the communication routes east and west of the region and south to north, the urban life of Shapurkhast city probably took place in the Parthian period. Due to the existence use of the name "Shapur" in archaeological evidence, this city was developed during the Sassanid period. The existence and permanence of the king's name on the coins (Figure 14) left over from the Sassanid period certainly indicates the double and strategic importance of the city in the Sassanid period, which proves the Sassanid rule in these areas. The distribution of Sassanid sites in the Khorramabad valley is another proof of this claim (Figure 4). Our knowledge indicates that the first time, Sassanid Shapur in order to develop individual power to urban development for change the social structure of Iran, cities has undergone changes and developed and in this process the name "Shapur" on most cities as Shapurkhast "was established. Archaeological evidence from the excavation does not prove that urban development is a process, meaning that urban development has been accompanied by ups and downs. Among the reasons could be the decline of the Sassanid rule and repeated invasions of Iran. In the Islamic period from the fourth and fifth centuries onwards, when the Seljuks ruled in the Middle East in Iran, Iraq, and Asia Minor; the golden age of prosperity and development of the city began and the Seljuk’s (10th to 12th AD) of Iraq made Khorramabad one of the most important strategic points and connections with the Seljuks of Iran. The granting of coins to Al-Hasnawiyah and the existence of local coins were minted in the name of local governors clearly and significantly increase the importance of the city. In the Islamic period, this city has completely passed the urban life and has had a mosque, a mint and a government fortress. Due to its importance, the city has been repeated many times in geographical and historical books.
Based on the holistic mentality in this study, important information is provided; from written historical resources including geographical and historical books and data from archaeological excavation find such as coins, pottery and the distribution of sites regarding the formation, development and fall of the city of Shapurkhast (Figure 10 and 12). The foundation of the mentioned city was laid in the Parthian period. The city was developed during the Sassanid period due to the importance of the Sassanid kings in the development of cities and their location on trade routes, and was named after Shapur, the second and most powerful Sassanid king. In the Islamic period, after a short break, we see the comprehensive development of the city and the benefit of all urban structures, especially in the Seljuk period. The city was still prosperous until the end of the 14th century AD, when due to the growth of the town of KhorramAbad, its inhabitants merged with the current KhorramAbad and continued urban life. This city has been developed with suitable environmental conditions and being located on ancient roads and has been one of the important cities of the region in the Islamic era. During the patriarchal period, ecological and environmental conditions were among the most important factors in the abandonment of the city.

Abstract  Hasanlu archaeological joint project in partnership with Iranian-American archaeologist is the one of the rare long-term archaeological projects carried out in northwest of Iran. In the process of this project (1957-1978), the layers from the Neolithic period to the historical period have been excavated. The Seventh period of Hasanlu Tepe is contemporary of early bronze age and the beginning of massive economic and social mutation in the cultural developments context of Middle East. Cultural materials of this period in Hasanlu Tepe have illuminated the obvious cultural differentiation between southern area of Urmia lake and the whole of Iran northwest region. Although the short report on this period material have been published, but there is still very little awareness on this period around the pottery types and its distribution, burial traditions and relationship between neighbors. Therefore, the present study intends to introduce the general characteristics of the culture of the seventh period of Hasanlu by referring to the findings of Hasanlu project and other excavations carried out in this area. cultural materials of this period illuminates that during the third millennium BC, there have been a distinguished socio-cultural zone from the Kura-Araxes area with painted Orange and Red pottery characteristic in the southern part of Lake Urmia to the southern slopes of Sahand Mountains. Which on the one hand interacted with northern Mesopotamia in west and on the other hand interacted with the Kura-Araxes communities in whole of north, eastern and southern area.

Abstract  (1-22)
The Zarandieh county is located in north of Markazi province and northwest Central Plateau of Iran (Figure 1). The capital of the county is Mamuniyeh and this city is located 80 km from Tehran and 30 km from Saveh. From archaeological point of view, this region is located between Central Zagros mountainous and Central Plateau of Iran. Despite of its proximity well known regions of Central Zagros mountainous and Central Plateau of Iran, it is archaeologically poorly known. Our information about the archaeology of Zarandieh region is restricted to Azem zadeh᾽s work in 1970s, who conducted 3 season archaeological survey in the Saveh and Zarandieh region. Then R. Rezalo conducted a systematic survey at Qhaznak Tape in 2001. Other archaeological activities include the sounding and excavation at Meshken Tape in 2007 and 2008 by Nouri shadmahani and M. Nemati and also excavation and systematic survey at Qhaznak Tape in 2007. In 2008, an archaeological survey conducted by Hanan Bahranipour mainly to identify the settlements pattern and recording of archaeological sites of Zarandieh region. The most important aim of the first season of archaeological survey was identification of the possible sites in this landscape, providing the archaeological map of the area and completing the previous archaeological survey. This project has been directed by intensive survey and also information gathered from local people to recognized and register ancient sites; the process of sampling the uncovered sites was then carried out by collecting typical finds which finally resulted in identification of ancient sites. Despite the number of known settlement sites, so far no systematic archaeological studies have been done on this period and the different aspects of these settlements are unknown. The one season of the survey and exploration resulted in the identification of 99 sites in Zarandieh region (Figure 3). Results from survey areas document a sequence of occupation from prehistory to the Late Islamic period. Among them, 19 sites belonged to prehistoric period (Figure 4), 6 sites (Figure 8) to historical period (Parthian and Sasanian periods) and 84 sites belonging to Islamic period (Figure 10). Islamic sites include big sites, mound, mosque, Imamzādeh, bridge, ice- house, caravansary, cistern, fortress, cemetery, bath, Pigeon tower and etc.The present study is based on two categories of historical and archaeological information which has provided new information about Zarandieh region. The study method included fieldwork and secondary research with a descriptive–analytical approach. Extent, spatial distribution of the sites and introduce different cultural periods of the Zharandieh region and their continuity and discontinuance was the other aims of this study. Geomorphological observations suggest that number of the sites has been located on natural hills (Figure 2). All prehistoric sites are located just near seasonal or perennial streams or rivers. According to the surface materials (such as pottery, lithic, tail, clay pipes (Tanpusheh) and so on) and architectural character or style the mentioned sites belonging to Chalcolithic era to the late Islamic period. Most of sites were being introduced for the first time. However, the some sites, including most notably Gobur qaleh Si, Qaleh garbi Varame and Qaleh shargi contain cultural remains from multiple occupations. We could not identify the Paleolithic and Neolithic episodes yet. But in 2007, Nemati discovered a Paleolithic open site. Zarandieh region divided in to two main zones of plain and mountains. This area contains sequential settlements beginning right from prehistoric period till the late Islamic period. The recorded sites and monuments mostly are located in Zarandieh plain and Kharaghan mountain foothill. Chalcolithic period trace is recognized in 8 sites. The ceramic assemblage of this period can be divided into two major groups: Buff Ware and red Ware; the former contains both plain and painted ceramic. These samples are comparable to ceramics obtained from sites in the Central Plateau and central Zagros such as Tape Sialk in the Kashan Plain, Godin tape in Kangavar plain, Tape Sagz Abad and Tape Ghabrestan in the Qazvin Plain, Tape Qelā Gap and Shat Ghilah in Malayer. In the Bronze period, number of the sites decrease and Tape Gaznak is the largest site in this period. The area of occupation is more than 20 Hectar. The presence of deformed pottery pots and furnace residue are the evidences of pottery production in this area.  Also a very large ocher mine is located near this site. Evidence of metal slag has been found in this area. Based on this survey it seems that during historical period number of sites is rare and the number decreases. We identified no site of The Achaemenid and Seleucid period. We identified only 6 sites belong to Parthian and Sasanian periods. Parthian ceramics are varies from buff, orange to red type. A number of these ceramics have mostly impress, curved and raised decorations (Figure 9). Also these types of ceramics show the cultural relations with Qale’ Yazdgird, Khurhe, Parthian domain of Bisotun and Sang-e Shir Cemetery in Hamedan and etc. Most surveyed sites dated to the Islamic period, mainly middle and late Islamic period. In the Islamic period, the number increases drastically, reaching 84. It seems that in this period, the sites are located mostly in side plain. The sites including settlements, mosque, Imam zādeh, bridge, ice- house, caravansary, watering place, fortress, cemetery, bath, Pigeon tower and small and large mounded sites. In this period, the human settlements have been focused on the rivers and water resources for example Qanats. The Zarandieh region populated during the Islamic period and formed towns and villages in Zarandieh plain. The recorded sites mostly belong to Seljuk period and Ilkhanid era. One of the major cities of Iran, which was on the Silk Road, is Moshkoye located between Hamedan, Saveh and Rayy. Based on historical and archeological evidences (for example pottery and architecture) one site proposed as the probable location of the city which is Moshkin Tape in Zarandieh township. Moshkin Tape has been most important in regard to settlement patterns from 10 to 13 century A.D. The name of the city of Moshkoye appears in the books of authors such as Ibn Hawqal, Ibn ḵurdādbih, Ibn Rusta, Istakhri, Jayhani, Maghdasi and so on. In Islamic period, presence of ceramic tripods, plugs (stoppers) and deformed fragments attest to their local production at Moshkin Tape (Figure 11), Tape Abdollah Abad and Tape Shirin Chai. The ceramic types in Zarandieh region include the unglazed simple wares, molded wares, monochrome glaze, added motifs, wares, Sgraffiato, splashed glaze wares, lusterware. The distribution of the sites and their positions compare to the Rivers (Shirin Rood, Adramneh Chai, Rood Shur, and Maasum Rood) indicate that these rivers have played an important role for the populations who used to live in this geographical region during the prehistoric to Islamic times. The investigation is not now complete and the considerable amount of material and data and excavation of the major sites is currently being studied leading to full publication of the results. Inquiring into the features of the recognized sites, this article focuses on cultural periods and the nature of their settlement patterns. The results of the survey of Zarandieh County promise a clear outlook on the oncoming archaeological research projects depending on the pre- defined questions which certainly will be followed by brilliant consequences.

Abstract Along the foothills of the Marvdasht plain, a significant number of rock-cut burial monuments have been made during the Achaemenid to early Islamic period. These burials are made in various forms which with the exception of the royal tombs and some samples with the middle persian inscription, the chronology of the rest of the samples is in dispute. By performing the archaeological field survey with the aim of determination the  funeral monuments attributable to the post-Achaemenid period, the authors, in addition to accurately describing the structural description of such samples, has thoroughly analyzed all the cited chronological evidence. These cited evidence are: Structural and spatial patterns, studying the stone-cutting tools, decorations, surveying the peripheral boundary within a radius of about 1 km in order to place the monuments in the relevant archaeological context, as well as assisting negative reasoning  Instead of positive reasoning. In negative reasoning, In order to prove the chronology, instead of presenting positive evidence in favor of post-Achaemenidchronology, we present reasons that negate the Achaemenid and Sassanid chronology. This article deals only with the southeastern half of the plain, the southern and western foothills of Rahmat Mountain, and in another article we will address the northeast half of the plain. Based on the surveys conducted in line with the present study, the remains of the rock-cut burials in the eastern half of the Marvdasht plain are located without exception on the southern and western slopes of Rahmat Mountain. These studies have also shown that the burial complexes of Tang-e Zendan, Akhor-e Rostam, North Barzan and Laneh Tavous can most likely be dated to the post-Achaemenid period. In an interpretive and general conclusion, it can be argued that the rock-cut burials that can be dated to the post-Achaemenid period in the Marvdasht plain, like any other period or place, imprimis considered as a type of dignitizad burial which were made and used for members of powerful families in the highest level of social power pyramid. Monuments that on the one hand increased credibility, legitimacy and power of mentioned families among the indigenous population and other regional powers. On the other hand, these evidence were considered as a valid document for aristocrats dynastic descendants to acquire and maintain dominion over their ancestral estates. In this way, they could continue to dominate the ancestral property in the future

Abstract Based on the results of preceding research in the field of architectural history and archeology; the largest brick arch in the Islamic world during Ilkhanid era (1256-1353 AD), in the remains of so-called Alishah Gilani, Minister of sultan Muhammad Khodabandeh Öljaitü, and in the city of Tabriz has been erected. In the present survey, by providing the structural weakness of the architectural volume of the building attributed to Alishah to execute such a huge arch in a span of thirty meter, while the previous studies have been questioned, the incompatibility of modern architectural remains with the mosque in historical texts has been confirmed. With this pre-assumption that the U-shape structure had been considered to create a brick arch of a huge architectural project; clarifying the statically limitations of the mentioned building in terms of the impossibility of creating any kind of arch or vault in the mentioned span would shed new lights on the identity of this structure. After responding to the question of static feasibility of any kind of arch or vault in the so-called Ark-e-Alishah and besides static analyses, what paradox of historical engineering does the results highlight is that the tension result of loading due to any kind of arch would exceed the mechanical potentials of structure's buckling capacities, causing gross deformation and fracture of vertical units under any conditions. From this point of view, there has never been any kind of arch nor vault in this building anytime - The engraving drawn by Jean Chardin seems to represent an accurate picture of the Alishah building before the new southern part was annexed to it, and the connection of the southern part took place after the early seventeenth century (the year this engraving was drawn)– and in other words, what is known as today’s remnants of the so-called Ark-e-Alishah is in the complete contradiction with what is known as Ali-Shah Mosque including a great brick arch