Journal of Archaeological Studies

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

Abstract Bardsir region is one of the richest regions of metallic deposits, especially copper, in the east of Iranian Plateau. Most of the metallic deposits in Bardsir region are located on the western and southwestern parts, in K?h Panj area. Some of the mines have been exploited since prehistoric times through historic to Islamic periods. The data presented here are collected during the second season of Bardsir Plain survey which was fulfilled in summer 2004. During this survey we found 27 mines and slag sites.
Most of the mines are horizontal open cast in shape, but there are examples of well-shaped mines. Based on preliminary observations on small assemblage of surface finds it seems that most mines were extracted in Islamic period. Slag sites produced more surface sherds than mines; these sherds dated to Islamic (essentially Safavid period) and Partho-Sassanid periods. We found a diagnostic sherd on a slag site which is comparable with Protohistoric ceramics. Some of the slag sites are located just beside the settlement sites, and by this factor we may consider them contemporary with these settlements. The mines and most of the slag sites are associated with small stone structures which were built with no use of mortar

Abstract  Shahdad is an important Bronze Age city on the western edge of the Dasht-e Lut in Iran. Previous investigations at the site, with its burials containing rich and sophisticated artifacts, fully justified its definition as an advanced early urban center. After half a century of Shahdad excavations, it is time to have a new look at Shahdad and its finds in light of our present knowledge from the archeology of southeastern Iran. Here is an assessment of the Shahdad data obtained from Shahdad 1970s excavations including ceramics, stones, seals, and metal and clay objects. In addition, I will present two seals from Shahdad excavations at area D (known as industrial area) discovered by A. Hakemi which have been remained unpublished. Also, this paper presents a revised chronology for Shahdad in order to determine the syntax of the different parts of the excavated areas. This suggested dating is mostly based on the burial goods of the cemeteries of Shahdad. Here, both already-suggested horizontal and vertical chronology for cemetery of Shahdad is questioned. This comparative research on the various goods from site of Shahdad showed that Dasht-e Lut appeared to be a key region in the interaction sphere of Southwest Asia during the second half of the 3rd millennium BC.

Abstract It has been a long time since aromatic plants and aromatic materials have been used in perfumery.Therefore, production of perfume flask had become noticeable among craftsmen and artists. The use of plants and other aromatic substances in perfumery has been possible by obtaining their essential oils. The production of perfumes are mainly derived from plants such as roses, cloves and saffron, incense and sandalwood and plant gums. Amber, musk and Azfar were also taken from some animals such as Gazelle and Amber fish. Perfume flasks are little containers made by a variety of different materials that have been shaped or embellished by standard technology and ornaments of their historical period. Glass has been one of the most favorite materials to make a perfume flask through the time. This research gives a brief overview of the history of perfumery, from the Achaemenid era to the first centuries of the Islamic era. Then it analyzes remained materials inside the five glass containers, which are considered to be perfume bottles, from the Parthian period to the first centuries of the Islamic era. These glass perfume bottles are kept in the Glassware and Ceramic Museum of Iran currently.
This analysis has been done by Coupled gas chromatography with mass spectrometer in the gas chromatography laboratory of Research Institute of Medicinal Plants and Drugs, Shahid Beheshti University. The main composition which has been detected and identified are waxes, cholesterol, and natural fatty acids. Due to its sensitivity, speed, versatility, and ability to identify traces of compounds in a mixture, the GC-MS technique's application is a brilliant method for archaeological organic chemistry and can be applied to analyse any substance containing volatile organic compounds expected. In two samples of our collection, residual perfumes were extracted.For this test, the containers were first washed with n-hexane solvent and the solution was transferred into the sampling dishes for transfer to the laboratory. On the day of sampling, the objects were selected from the samples which were photographed. Then, through a Pasteur pipette, about 2 ml of n-hexane was placed in the dishes and the material was washed by rotating and the extract transferred into the pipette and prepared for the analysis by evaporating of hexane. It should be noted that n-hexane solvent has no destructive effect on the objects and because of its high volatility, immediately it will be disappeared completely and there is no trace of it in the container.Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is a powerful tool for separation and identification of natural and chemical materials. In this method, after the initial preparation, the components of a mixture are injected into the device through a special syringe in the amount of half a microliter of the tested solution. The materials are separated based on the difference between the boiling point and interaction with the chromatographic column, will be entered into the Ionization Mass Spectrometry source, because of generating powerful electric and magnetic fields, the mixture’s components will be identified quantitatively and qualitatively based on their electrical charge to mass ratio (m/z). For this analysis, 1 to 3 mg of the sample was taken and 1 ml of KOH hydroalcoholic solution (potash alcohol) was added and then subjected to alkaline hydrolysis at 60 ° C for 3 hours. After hydrolysis, the neutral organic components were extracted with n-hexane. Then, according to the internal standard, injection of the solution was analyzed in GC-MS. It was then interpreted based on comparisons of components and reference materials with library items and mass spectrum. In order to identify the type of fatty acid compositions, GC-MS equipped with a DB-5 column with a length of 30 m and an inner diameter of 0.25 mm and a thin layer thickness of 0.25 μm was used. The oven temperature was increased from 60 °C to 250 °C at velocity of 5 °C/min and was kept at 250 °C for 10 minutes. Helium carrier gas with a flow rate of 1.1 ml/min was used and 70-eV electrons was used for ionization and a mass range was from 43 to 456 amu. In order to analyze the essential oil using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, the components were identified. The components and compounds were identified by the use of various parameters such as retention time (RT) and retention index (RI), study of mass spectrum and comparing the spectrum with standard compounds and basic data in the GC-MS database by Xcalibur Software. The relative percentage of each components of the essential oil was obtained according to the area under the curve in the GC. Based on the chromatogram table, the following results were obtained:Sample 1 (Table 1, Figure 1), the perfume flasks from the Arsacid era: the most important compounds identified in container No. 1 including the paraffin compounds, cholesterol (animal-based oils), vegetable oils, and fatty acids and waxes. Also, an important substance in the solution obtained from washing was flavonoid. It is a polyphenolic substance which is found in the extract obtained from the petals and pollen of plants. Sample 2 (Table 2, Figure 2), a semi-thin blue glass container, probably from the Arsacid era: the most important components identified include an essential oil, wax and fatty acid. Sample 3 (Table 3, Figure 3), a thin glass container probably from the Sassanid era: the most important compounds identified include fatty acids such as palmitic acid, stearic acid and linoleic acid. Such materials indicate that this container has been in contact with vegetable-base oils and 80% of the substances identified in this container are fatty acids. Sample 4 (Table 4, Figure 4), a semi-thin glass container from the first centuries of the Islamic period: there are only paraffin materials such as wax and beeswax and do not contain any fatty acids. The most important substance in this sample is natural linalool, which is classified as a perfume. Example 5 (Table 5, Figure 5), the perfume flask with base from the first centuries of the Islamic period: the most important compounds identified are plant-based fatty acids, paraffin compounds or waxes, and phthalate compounds.According to the tests performed in two case studies (samples No. 2 and 4), aromatic substances and essential oils are present in the identified compounds. It shows that natural perfumes and essential oils can actually stay in the glass and the adsorption of glass is very high for keep of such materials. Except for sample No. 4, other samples contain a variety of fatty acids and proved that such glasses were used as preservative objects. Wax can be seen in all samples. Fats have been identified in various forms such as cholesterol (animal base oil), palmitic acids (plant base fats) and paraffinic substances.

Abstract One of the fundamental features of the ancient states associated with power was ideology, and Neo-Assyria and the Achaemenid empires were no exception to this rule. If we look at the written and visual documents and evidence of the royal contexts of Neo-Assyria and the Achaemenid, ideology has been at the heart of these two empires. How did they treat the subject people? How was their cooperation and participation with these empires? What was the connection between kings and their god or gods to justify their actions? How did the royal inscriptions and images describe the characteristics of a mighty and powerful king? What were the characteristics of hegemony and the view of domination over the whole world and nations in their views and in what methods was it done? These are the questions that this research seeks to answer to determine the ideological commonalities and differences between these two empires in their royal contexts and whether their ideological strategies and methods have been fundamentally different concerning the verbal and visual violence of the Assyrians? To achieve its goals, this research has examined the inscriptions and images (reliefs, steles, seals) of the royal contexts of these two periods. Concerning the strategies, methods, and concepts studied in this research, such as the mighty and powerful king, universal hegemony, connection between king and god (gods), participation of subject people in advancing the goals of the two empires, large construction projects and building of magnificent monuments, etc. There is not much difference in the royal ideology of the two Neo- Assyria and Achaemenid . Of course, the explicit and barely verbal and visual violence of the Assyrian should not be ignored in their royal reliefs and inscriptions, however, in the written and visual evidence of the Achaemenids, especially in the Persepolis, this violence is not explicitly seen, that is an important feature of the worldview and ideology of the Achaemenid monarchy

Abstract Reading Kufic inscriptions is sophisticated, for variations, and because it is without dots. Therefore, caused to biased and fault conclusions. An example is a seal impression that recovered from excavations of Anahita Temple of Kangavar at 1995 (1373).. Illogically, Ghuchani claims it as the oldest Islamic inscribed from a Sassanid governor, known as "Khosrow Shinom", who ruled Hamadan region and western Iran. However, recent peripheral accurate studies including style, type, decoration, and other Sassanid seals and inscriptions indicate inaccuracy of two last words, which Ghuchani claims as "Khosrow Asham" (the same Khosrow Shinom). The first word could be read variously, however, the second is "Allah", not Asham, Hasan seems more logical. Therefore, both appear as Hassan Allah. Considering type of inscription, characteristics, it dates to 9rd century  to Ilkhanid periods. Reading Kufic inscriptions is sophisticated, for variations, and because it is without dots. Therefore, caused to biased and fault conclusions. An example is a seal impression that recovered from excavations of Anahita Temple of Kangavar at 1995 (1373). Illogically, Ghuchani claims it as the oldest Islamic inscribed from a Sassanid governor, known as "Khosrow Shinom", who ruled Hamadan region and western Iran. However, recent peripheral accurate studies including style, type, decoration, and other Sassanid seals and inscriptions indicate inaccuracy of two last words, which Ghuchani claims as "Khosrow Asham" (the same Khosrow Shinom). The first word could be read variously, however, the second is "Allah", not Asham, Hasan seems more logical. Therefore, both appear as Hassan Allah.
Seals are important tools with a long history. According to archaeological evidences, this instrument dates back to sixth (B. C). According to documents, the device has changed many times during the history so there have been transformations in designs, shapes, colors and inscriptions through millennia, each with sophisticated concepts and information, while resolving many ambiguities of historical texts. In 1994, one seal discovered following archeological excavations in the temple of Kangavar. After investigations, relying on the signs as well as the presence of Kofic inscriptions on the seal and conformity to the available archives, one can date it to Seljuk period. Some scholars deny the presumption and compare the seal to earlier archives as well as early indications on the seals that lead them to suggest it as a seal of a former ruler of a Sassanid ruler around Hamadan. This led to fundamental differences in dating and every given presumption.
Present article attempts to analyze a written seal (one of the oldest seals of the Islamic period) to explore and analysis its data and clarify some aspects of the seal, while explaining the disputes in attribution of the seal to each of the historical periods of Iran. Accordingly, what kind of information is it and why researchers differently attribute the seal to a hypothetical period, and what do they understand of the validity of the stamp, and how they differently understand symbols and signs of the seal? Primary studies show that this seal is related to one of the Iranian rulers, but some believe that it belongs to a ruler of the Sassanid dynasty that was active in Hamadan and western parts of Iran and some others attribute it to a Seljuk ruler. According to the data, one can conclude that Ghoochani and Tohidi problematically presented
the hypothesis and failed to correct identification of time, location and attribution to a given individual.
The best way to understand the nature of the seal is comparative - analytical method. We identify the symbols of the stamp using the existing examples of the stamp and using comparative - analytical method, there are differences arising in identification and determination of the identity of the instrument with the value, on the one hand, and understanding the validity of this seal. In the initial studies of "Ghochani", “Khosro Asham" is the inscription and according to its similarity with the name of "Khosrow Shanom" during the Sasanian era in Hamedan and west of Iran, it is considered that "Khosro Asham" is the same historical name. Accordingly, he claims that the seal is related to a ruler of the Sassanid dynasty and in fact it belongs to the late Islamic stamp. In order to prove his claim, he reads the first word from the beginning of the inscription, and believes that he is the same " Khosrow " and because of the similarity of this word to other words. For example, he points out that the "Shad Khosro of Hormuz", known in the Umayyad coin of 716 (97 H.GH.)" is the "Shad Khosro of Hormuz", or in other example of the Bukhara coin of 983( 373 H.GH). The name of "Khosro" was referred to as "Khsro". Conclusion: according to the results of this study Tohidi’s suggestion is attributed to the period between Seljuk to Ilkhanid periods. Accordingly, he follows that there is a significant difference between these two presuppositions because the presence of symbols, while symbols attributed to the early Islamic centuries or any other period is not compatible to each other and if it is attributed to the Seljuk period. In this case, to prove this claim, we need more investigations. Dating the seal, (apart from the laboratory methods on some available data whereas conclude to biases) may be based on two ways. First, if the data is obtained through correct scientific and accurate excavations, it is possible to compare the data with other archaeological findings of the same stratum that can be dated and / or compare to the same data properly. Second, the given data is obtained from non - scientific excavation, so the only possible way to date it is comparing the stylistics of that object; otherwise the result is incorrect and far from subjective. Each of these people seem to notice one or more indices in the stamp, and thus the results of their research have been neglected and thus, in order to prove their claim, such as Ghochani by offering unreasonable reasons, they have somehow tried to appoint the seal to one of the oldest written pieces of Islamic writing. Or, as To Heidi, to relate to one of the rulers of the Seljuk era. While the results of the research and the new investigations reject both claims. As mentioned earlier, there are three lines of Kufic script on the seal. The first line is “لا اله الا اللهˮ which is not quite clear and there is no dispute about it. The second line: the owner's name is stamped, and due to the fact that the line has no point, as Ghochani says, it cannot be read correctly. The third line: Toheidi is called “Hasbi allahˮ (حسبی­الله) and Ghochani is called "Khosro Asham". no doubt the second word is" allah ". but as for the first word, it can be read in a number of forms, such as "Khsr "remembrance. this reading is more probable as Ghochani reads it, and it is more likely that " Jasar "   (جسر) and " Hassan" (حسن)  who came to the house after the name of " Allah "(الله) ; because it is similar to that of "Ali Abarghou" of dome inscription , it is also written . In the meantime, Hasbi's Tohidi claim is untrue because it has a letter on the seal. So it might be possible to read the last line as "Hassan Allah" (حسن الله). therefore, the research and surveys, as well as presenting the symbols, signs and other documents, show that the results of the research are different than the results of the two people and research data rejects the hypothesis of these two. as a result of this research, it can be concluded that this stamp is related to the early Islamic period (Ghochani view) or the seljuk age (Toheidi view); therefore, the historical period for this stamp may be considered between the third century and Ilkhanid period.

Abstract Qalʻeh Geli Kaj site, located in 50 km northeast of Qom, with an area of ​​about seven hectares, is one of the most important settlements in the historical period of Qom region. This site, which consists of two parts of the central castle and the remains of the settlement around it, is of special importance in archaeological studies and the history of Iranian architecture in terms of architectural features and various techniques of arch construction. Despite the scattered research that has been done about this site, there are still various questions about the dating, use and also the factors influencing the formation, development and abandonment of this place. The present study aims to answer the existing questions and ambiguities by using the archaeological evidence obtained from the superficial survey of the site and studying the written historical and geographical sources. Therefore, the method used in this research is based on historical analysis and data collection based on field and documentary studies. According to the results, the location of Qalʻeh Geli Kaj, next to one of the sub-branches of the Silk Road (Isfahan to Rey road) and the need to provide the people’s own and financial security of commercial caravans, have been among the main factors of this site’s formation and development. In fact, the initial nucleus of Qalʻeh Geli in the Parthian period was formed as a facility related to the communication road around it, and during the Sassanid period, as a result of the expansion of trade relations, it became a small town. With the arrival of Islam in Iran and following the recession of economic activities, living in Qalʻeh Geli also declined for several centuries; but after the coming to power of the Seljuks and re-advert to trade affairs, with the reconstruction of the architectural structures of Qalʻeh Geli and the construction of a stone caravanserai on its southeastern side, this town was rebuilt. The Seljuk settlement of Qalʻeh Geli is not the last stage of settlement in there and according to archeological evidence, it was also used during the Ilkhanid and Safavid periods; but it has never regained its previous glory. Finally, with the construction of a new communication road between Qom and Tehran in 1882 AD Qalʻeh Geli was also abandoned

Abstract The research layout of surveying Sonqor’s caves and rock shelters has been presented according to the region’s importance in archeological studies, lack of documented data, and necessity of registering most monuments which have been less considered as a result of uneasy access. The need of this project is characterized with regard to former surveys which just considered registering the region’s plains. Sonqor’s caves and rock shelters were specified in this study in assisting of Kermanshah Cultural heritage organization, and necessary actions were taken to document its data. A total of 32 caves, rock shelters and 2 Paleolithic open sites have been acquired in this survey but only 13 of them had cultural material dispersion in front of the entrance. The registered caves and shelters can be divided in to three main groups: - Those caves and shelters, due to the quality and quantity of the collected artifacts, which, assessing their chronological periods is not possible. - Those caves and shelters which we can propose a likely chronology for them, based upon the collected artifacts. - And finally the caves and shelters which are dated partially according to the quality and quantity of their artifacts. Their importance will be more prominent because of the existence of cultural Paleolithic deposits in these sites. Anyhow, this study tries to consider the following aspects as well as aforesaid most important executive goals. 1-      Studying and presenting the chronological identified sites in comparison. 2-      Presenting the identified sites’ dispersion plan.      

Abstract Abstract
Ahranjan Tepe is a prehistoric mound located in the Salmas Plain of northwestern Iran, in West Azerbaijan Province. The presence of a ten-meter-deep Late Neolithic deposit suggests that the site functioned as a principal regional center during the Late Neolithic period (Hasanlu X horizon). Excavations were undertaken to investigate the cultural conditions of northwestern Iran during this time span. Following the Late Neolithic occupation, Ahranjan appears to have been abandoned. This paper examines the cultural relationships between the Salmas Plain and neighboring regions through a detailed presentation of the site’s stratigraphy, burial practices, ovens, architectural remains, and associated small finds. Radiocarbon dates, in conjunction with relative chronological analysis and excavation results, indicate cultural connections between Ahranjan and sites such as Hajji Firuz Tepe and Jarmo in Mesopotamia. The article further aims to clarify the cultural sequence of the mound and to address the question of whether the site contains evidence of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic (PPN), or whether occupation began only during the Pottery Neolithic period. The research results include the discovery of mass human burials within residential spaces and the identification of distinctive thermal oven pits, which appear to be unique and have not been reported at other sites.
Keywords: Northwestern Iran, Lake Urmia Basin, Late Neolithic, Group Burial.
 
1. Introduction
The cultural materials of Ahranjan have close similarities, especially with Jarmo on the one hand, and also with other contemporary sites, including Hajji Firuz and Yanik Tepe in the Lake Urmia basin on the other. However, despite some similarities, it has fundamental differences with Hajji Firuz, despite the fact that all Neolithic sites are on the same horizon as each other, but they also have structural differences. With regard to the cultural materials of Ahranjan, it must be acknowledged that this site does not fit into the framework of the Hajji Firuz culture that was introduced earlier and has more different characteristics than Hajji Firuz and other sites on the same horizon and has its own cultural characteristics. The archaeological excavation of Ahranjan Tepe was carried out with the aim of updating and accurately explaining the cultural sequence of the Neolithic period in the Lake Urmia basin, explaining the phases and settlement layers, examining pottery kilns, burial methods, presenting relative and absolute chronology, and also providing documentary evidence of the presence of a late Neolithic culture that is different from other cultures of the same horizon.
 
2. Archaeological Background
In the Archaeological literature, Northwest Iran is primarily famed for the plains of the Lake Urmia Basin. The sphere of influence of the region’s culture, however, spreads over a much vaster zone. In the northern Basin, excavations at the Neolithic site of Tepe Hajji Firuz have yielded ceramics paralleling the material from the Early Hassuna sites such as Umm Dabaghiyah (Voigt 1983: 101). Dalma-type pottery has occurred at Tepe Sivan (Solecki 1973), Hajji Firuz (Voigt 1983: 80) and Pisdeli. The University of Pennsylvania Museum’s long-lasting Hasanlu Project, started in 1956 under the general direction of Robert H. Dyson, is the most significant work in this basin (Dyson 1969). On the other hand, work in the northeastern basin of the lake began in 1960 by Charles Burney at Yanik Tepe, furnishing important results, among them the identification of the Trans-Caucasian culture’s infiltration into northwest Iran (Burney 1961, 1964). Excavations at Yanik Tepe revealed a sequence spanning the Neolithic (Hasanlu Period X or Hajji Firuz Period), i.e. sixth millennium B.C.E., to the second half of the first millennium B.C.E. 
 
3. Work Procedure
Ahranjan Tepe has an area measuring 25 x 52 meters, equivalent to 1300 square meters, which is located in a north-south direction, 4.5 meters above the surrounding land. It is necessary to explain that the archaeological layers and deposits of the Tepe were 10 meters thick. Prior to the excavation, a topographic map of the mound was made. The excavation followed a locus and feature approach. Some nine phases were documented on the whole. In the course of the excavation, burials, architectural remains, and a pit were recovered, a brief outline of which follows.
 
4. Discussion
In summary, in this article, we set out to describe the cultural materials of the late Neolithic period in the region. Based on the results of the cultural materials of Ahranjan, the excavation of Ahranjan provided valuable information about the late Neolithic. With regard to absolute chronology and the date of 6940 ± 50 BP, Tepe Ahranjan is on the same horizon as Tepe Hajji Firuz. This excavation yielded thermal structures, human burials, and architectural remains, which to some extent clarified the cultural situation of the New Neolithic of Salmas-Northwest. Regarding human burials, it should be stated that the differences in burial styles go back to the religious beliefs of Neolithic societies, especially since the Neolithic society was highly religious, so the burials of Ahranjan were also carried out in line with religious matters. Neolithic human burials, often found within architectural contexts, have been reported at most Neolithic sites. The pottery of Ahranjan is also comparable to that of Hajji Firuz, however, it has some differences and similarities, and the most important difference between Ahranjan and Hajji Firuz pottery is that the type of painted pottery is rarely found in Ahranjan and is more similar to earlier vessels. Other important findings include large, tub-shaped thermal structures that have been identified in various dimensions and phases. This tradition is specific to the Lake Urmia basin. These structures, which are on average 45 to 60 cm deep, have an orange mud wall 3 cm thick, whose inner surface has been blackened by heat. Their contents consist of a thick accumulation of ash and fine charcoal particles.
 
5. Conclusion
In the late Neolithic period, known as Hasanlu X, the Urmia Lake basin was not uninhabited and was introduced by the Haji Firuz culture, although there are brief reports on other sites, including Yanik Tepe. However, the research at Ahranjan is considered a turning point in the Neolithic of the Northwest because we are faced with new, but different, information and knowledge. This information is about the type of burials, the remains of thermal kilns, pottery making techniques, and structures related to pottery firing. Ahranjan was a large and important site that had relations with Jarmo because Ahranjan is a wider part of the late Neolithic area. Ahranjan Tepe, 10 meters high, is located in the Salmas Plain and, considering that it includes a thick deposit of the Late Neolithic period, is considered one of the key points of the northwestern areas of Iran, so it is important to address it and provides useful information from this period. Ahranjan Tepe is the most significant and largest prehistoric site (2.6 hectares) northwest of Lake Urmia, located in the fertile Salmas Plain; this cultural area is located at the communication distance that connects the Iranian Plateau and the Lake Urmia basin to the South Caucasus region on one side and to eastern Anatolia and northern Mesopotamia on the other. In this article, we have examined the cultural tradition of the late Neolithic and tried to provide a clear understanding of the cultural situation of the important Neolithic period in the northwest basin of Lake Urmia by providing detailed excavation and study of cultural materials. One of the problems of archaeology in the northwest basin is the lack of sufficient information about the late Neolithic period, so new research can be a new information in the studies of the Northwest Neolithic period.

Abstract Some researchers believe that because of the severe earthquake and tsunami in the fourth century H., a large part of Siraf submerged by the Persian Gulf water fluctuations. Based on the available evidence and also by the archaeological survey of the Siraf coastal surrounding areas, the author argues that despite the devastating earthquake occurred to destroy much of the coastal architectural structures of the city the main destruction has been made by the steady sea water waves striking the coastal wall through time. The earthquake, however, has caused erosion in the historic port but the gentle slopes and shallow beach of city shows that there has been no possible reversal of the port structures into the deep water. This result is obtained by the observation made by the study of intact pottery kiln and the beach wall found through the excavations and by the underwater archaeology carried out in the sea sides of the ancient Siraf city.

Abstract It is difficult to debate about the planning, correct implementation, and effectiveness of a government's strategies, such as defining the concept of the strategy. Having a strong military force and utilizing a variety of efficient and modern armament has always been one of the ideals of governments throughout history. The Iranian states have not been exempted from this rule and have used their financial and human resources to achieve these goals. Although the Sasanians were more advanced in many aspects of administration and military than the previous Iranian governments, they could not have been so successful in military affairs without careful strategic planning. The question is, what military strategy did the Sasanians adopt for the maintenance and the continuity of their empire? The answer to this question can be summarized in a variety of grand, long-term and short-term strategies. The very hostile strategy of the Sasanian government is not very much in line with modern theories, but it was fruitful and effective in the tumultuous late antiquity. Without their grand strategy, the Sasanian kings would not have been able to achieve numerous lasting and dramatic victories. Through the application of this strategy, they maintained and strengthened the position of the royal family among the traditional aristocracy (feudal clans), clergy, warlords, high nobility, and so on. In this paper, in order to find answers for our question, we attempt to explain the various types of strategies and tactics of the Sasanians through a descriptive-comparative-analytical approach and examine their role in the power, weakness, durability, or decline of their empire. The result generally shows the efficacy of the various Sasanian strategies and tactics in the early and middle periods, but the strategic errors of certain kings in the late period and several centuries of persistence and repetition of some aspects of their grand strategy resulted in undermining of their government

Abstract Chogha Golan has previously found a spectacular place in studies of the emergence of early agriculture and sedentary life in western Asia. Earlier brief work by the University of Tübingen in 2009-2010 suggested that Chogha Golan was inhabited between ca. 9700-7600 BC and witnessed a long initial experimentation with food production. However, despite this significant archaeological position, the site was left without further fieldwork until a new stage of excavations was initiated in 2023, aimed at investigating the diverse nature of the long-term resilience of the inhabitants of the Zagros foothills over the course of the transition to the Neolithic. In this regard, the first season of the excavations was carried out in October-November 2023. Accordingly, an 4×8 m area was excavated at the top of the site. As a result, 5 occupational phases were distinguished based on architectural remains within 285 cm of residential sequence yet excavated. However, the virgin soil was not reached, leaving investigation of remaining underlying levels to the next season. This article presents the preliminary results of the 2023 excavations and then contextualizes their significance for a better understanding of the Neolithization process across the Zagros region.

Abstract Historical data and reports have the ability to be matched with mythological and epic content. The emergence of special conditions in history and its similarity with epic or mythological conditions leads to the reproduction of historical characters with epic patterns. The endangerment of Iranshahr in the national narrative is the most important reason for the emergence of heroes who protect the dignity of Iran. The attack of the Turanians on Iran leads to prolonged battles, in which the warriors of Iran protect Iran's border and territory with various sacrifices. In fact, the narrative of the invading East and the emergence of epics and the subsequent brilliance of the warriors are the most important pillars of Iran's national narratives. The same plan and pattern is repeated from the middle of the Sassanid period onwards, when the Turks and Huns attacked Iranshahr. During this period, Bahram Chubin is fighting with the eastern enemy as a warrior and is trying to protect Iran. It seems that the myth of Arash, which ironically has roots in the Mehran dynasty (cognate with Arash Kamangir), is canonized and used as a model and example of Bahram Chobin from the epic in the late Sassanid era. In this research, we intend to test the hypothesis of the role model of Arash Kamangir's mythological narrative for Bahram Chubineh with descriptive and analytical methods.

Abstract This study assumes areas between the Central Zagros region and Central plateau of to play an important role in the shaping social and economic complexity and the formation of urban infrastructure during the late chalcolithic period of the region. Regarding the issue an archaeological survey conducted in the area, 39 sites were identified and were archaeologically analyzed. For spatial data analysis both Rank-size and Entropy analysis index were used. The Rank-size data and their distributional pattern across the area indicated a close relationship between the site size and the settlements functionalities as well as their expansion on the plain and their communications with the adjacent regions. The concave logarithmic graph of Rank-size analysis and increasing Entropy index yielded from the settlement size measurements, resulted in the lack of existence of a concentrative organizational system of production or a high level communicating network for the settlements of the Hamadan Plain during the late chalcolithic period. Thus the result of this analysis indicates the fact that the cultural complexity or production systems of the Late Chalcolithic occupants of the area did not follow the central place or other centralized system of relationships as may have been seen from the other late Chalcolithic sites of Iran.

Abstract

Abstract The figurines are one of the most important objects in Shahr-I-Sukhta, which indicate the parts of the contemporaneous art and the general social condition. An investigation on the human figurines from Bronze Age of Shahr-I-Sukhta suggests the similarities between Iran and other neighboring regions. The figurines show the beliefs and attitudes, environmental effects, and interregional cultural exchanges of Shahr-I-Sukhta with other regions. The analysis of this study is basically based on the chronology and stylistic comparison mad between Shahr-I-Sukhta and other connected regions. One of the most important questions is the contemporaneity or mere stylistic similarity of figurines to which the chronology of neighboring and remote sites, historical relations of the Bronze Age and the similarities of Shahr-I-Sukhta figurines with other areas were investigated. Considering chronology and similarities, however, figurines are functionally different; they suggest reciprocal effects, exchanges, and contemporaneity. As there are many comparison problems in studying per-historic figurines, focusing on chronological communication development is not for sure even if they are satisfactory mainly due to the fact that the environment and beliefs themselves both are the issues that might be differed among the

Abstract TransformationProcessesdebate ontheinteractionsbetween archaeological artifacts  and structures based on their natural and cultural environments. These processes provide a good picture about the site formation after its creation until now. Recognition of these processes and their context help archaeologists to interpret archaeological data in an appropriate way. In this paper I would argue about the abandonment of the site and demolition of the artifacts and structures by presenting some Iranian cases. Transformation processes play a significant role in archaeological studies; however such detail studies may lead archaeologists to get involved into ethnographical and anthropological point of views.      

Abstract The current article is a research on the classification of the potteries found from a scientific excavations of Jafar Abad Kurgans. Kurgans are kind of graves that are mostly unknown which were paid less attention than other sites in Iran. Research on the potteries that are found in the graves enable us to identify some aspects of cultures moreover gives us insight into thoughts, beliefs, faiths and daily life styles of people and tribes who made them.
Pottery art because of its plenitude and popularity in each region signify climatic characteristics and historical, economical, social, cultural and artistic characteristics those who have lived in the area. Forms, shapes, colors, patterns, decorations, construction techniques, heating methods that are used in the creation of the pottery vessels contain valuable concepts about different life styles and living conditions of the tribes and are considered as power of innovation of their makers after thousands of years.
Data on Jafar Abad Kurgans potteries, although a few of them have been explored, show nomadic lifestyles. The main goal of this article is to identify Kurgans Culture who built those Kurgans graves and put the items burried in them. Pottery items by far is the most abundant of the finds and their typology and chronology could be the most important archaeological evidences and documents.

Abstract One of the interdisciplinary approaches which recently had a key role in resolving of archaeological issues, especially domestication process, was Archaeogenetics. Caprines were domesticated in the early Neolithic period and their domestication was a major part of the process that led to the invention of agriculture. Since goat has had a key role in subsistence economy of human societies in different environments hence it became one of the main aims of archeogentics studies. By use of aDNA of goats and archaeogenetics approaches, this paper extracted and analyzed 10 samples of goat aDNA from Neolithic period of Kashan and Qazvin plains and determined their phylogenetic relations with modern domestic and wild goats to shed more light on the life of late Neolithic society of central plateau of Iran. Results show that these samples have closest genetic relations with haplogroup A of wild goats which now live in southeastern of Turkey. Hence archeogenetic evidences show that by 7500 B.P, Neolithic societies of Iran central plateau used goats which were domesticated about 10000 B.P in southeastern Turkey.

Abstract One of the cultural characteristics of eastern zone at central part of Zagros Range during 3rd millennium BC and at early Bronze Age is the extension of the related habitats to Yaniq Culture (Ancient City near Abhar) in this region. Within field study conducted in 2008 in the plains covering central Zagros eastern side that is situated in Alvan Basin, we managed to identify more than habitats relating to Early Bronze Age. According to analysis done on the data derived from this survey in GIS software environment and by adaption of statistical methods, the relationship between site of habitat and its ecological factors has been assessed. Based on design of this model, we managed to interpret some reason for creation of settlements in this region during Early Bronze Age as well as the existing relationship among the given habitats and archaic routes passed between Iranian Plateau and Mesopotamia at 3rd millienium BC. Using GIS software made it possible for us to identify the reason for many settlement displacements based on archeological evidences at Early Bronze Age so that to describe their settlement models. We can purpose this point, as result of this study, that one may suggest a type of pseudo- nomadic and dry- farming system as economic system for people at Early Broze Age within a limited scale in this region.

Abstract Ancient cities are valuable cultural and architectural heritages of Iran. This cites show the citizen’s life and different spaces of cultural, political, social, religious characteristics. We can research on cites and determine how much has changed the life of Iranian citizens durind their long history. By appearance of Moslem in Iran and their domination over the country, the urbanism and structure of urban life in Iran underwent significant changes. Although, one must admit that the basis and foundation of Iranian cities after the arrival of Islam was based on the urbanism and urban development of Sassanid era; the new religion spread a new series of principles, norms and new social frameworks in the Iranian society which were clearly effective on the structure of people’s routine life. This paper according to methodology of historical archaeology and integrating historical and archaeological data, text documents tries to explain how Islamic ideas affect the process of urban spatial development.

Abstract Shaur palace located at western side of Susa ancient site, next to Shaur River. Excavations at the site began since 1970 to 1976 by Remi Bucharlat, Adran Labrus, and Mahmoud Kordavani. They identified three archaeological levels that dated to Islamic, Parthian, and Achaemenid periods. Excavations revealed few glassworks among recovered material, which dated from Parthian to Islamic periods including vessels for medical, cosmetic purposes; such as bottles, attar vials, bowls, glasses, and ornaments such as beads and rings. The glassworks usually were green objects that manufactured using free-blowing method, while some productions enjoyed mold-blowing method. Considering comparable Iranian and foreign objects, they probably produced by same technique and decoration, or exchanged within the Parthian territories. However, some remains indicate Iranian artistic effects, Hellenistic and Roman motifs dominated glassworks of Shaur, would indicate regional exchanges between Khuzistan Plain and more distant western areas.

Abstract In this article, the Eastern Iran defines a region where situated between northeastern (equal Khorasan Razavi Province) and southeastern Iran (approximately equal Sistan & Baluchestan, Kerman and Hormozgan Provinces). The eastern Iran coincides with Southern Khorasan province. The archaeological research in Eastern Iran is very poor particularly in prehistory and historical periods. Unfortunately, any historical periods site such as Parthian Dynasty has been excavated and published therefore there are not material properties and characteristics of Parthian period in this region. In this article, Nehbandān castle is introduced as one of the most important evidence of the Parthian period in the Eastern Iran where located suburb of Nehbandān town according to new data. This area is mentioned in history texts as Neh. However others had previously insisted about the importance of the ancient Nehbandān town but they had proposed another ancient archaeological site in the region as ancient Neh. In this paper, based on archaeological excavations and restoration works were carried out which resulted in the recognition of diverse cultural material, Nehbandān castle is suggested as ancient Neh.

Abstract This study uses background data collectd from a field work carried out in Boiniyoghon castle. Three seasons of excavations (2004-2007) revealed valuable remains from the Middle Bronze Age to the Safavid period. This paper at first describes briefly the process of excavation in the trench A of work place1 and then explains the appearance of the first millennium BC Painted Wares according their stratigraphic locations. At the end the distribution of the Wares caracterized here as Ardebil style were discussed. The relationships between Ardebil painted ware and triangular pottery of Hasanlu III is another issue which is addressed by present paper. Results obtained by this research shows that although in the lower lyers of trenches  there have been many forms and types of pottery reflecting cultural continuity of Iron III, but ceramic samples of upper lyers indicate a gradual changes from Iron III to the late Achaemenid and to the early Parthian.

Abstract Ziz is one of the important cities that Geographers and Historians have described it in the early centuries and Mid-Islamic period. Ziz was a city of the Arrajan Khore, which is located in the north-east of it. According to historical sources, it was located on the route of Arrajan to Esfahan and this city has pulpit and main (jamea) Mosque. This research is aimed to specify the exact geographical location of Ziz city. The authors of this paper applied descriptive–analytical approach and analysis of field study and documented data (literary sources) attempts to answers regarding question about ancient sites or site including the remains of ziz city? The results of field study and archaeological surveys and analysis of historical texts show that the geographical location of Ziz city is more likely the modern Boyerahmad city located in the Ziz area on the "Ziz Nesah" site.