Journal of Archaeological Studies

Explaining Structure, Function and Chronology of Moshkouyeh Kiln

Reza Nouri Shadmahani

Volume 11, Issue 2 , October 2019, , Pages 261-271

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2019.73181

Abstract

The archaeological site of Moshkouyeh that nowadays called Moshkin tape is located in northern part of the Iranian plateau, between the two historical cities of Rey in the north and ... Read More

Zoroastrians of Maybod (Yazd): A Historical Archaeological Perspective of the Two Villages, Mazra’e Kalantar and Asr’ Abad

Ruth Young; Taha Hashemi; Ashkan Pooryan Avvali; Sepideh Jamshidi Yeganeh; Zeinab Nazari Tehrani; Mohamad Hossein Azizi Kharanaghi; Hassan Fazeli nashli

Volume 13, Issue 2 , September 2021, , Pages 319-341

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2021.266881.142623

Abstract

A joint program by the University of Tehran and the University of Leicester carried out a first season of archaeological exploration of Zoroastrian societies in Maybod, Yazd province ... Read More

A Research on Zoroastrian Dakhmagozari Rituals Based on Architectural Structure Study of the Zoroastrian Dakhmas

rasoul ahmadi; Reza Mehrafarin

Volume 12, Issue 1 , May 2020, , Pages 1-17

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2020.264448.142609

Abstract

According to the Zoroastrian religious teachings, and in order to prevent the contamination of the four sacred elements of water, soil, wind and fire, dead bodies should be put in an ... Read More

A suggestion on the location of the islamic Torshiz city based on interdisciplinary studies (GIS, Written texts and archaeological data)

Mohammad Esmaeil Esmaeili Jelodar; Reza Heydari

Volume 12, Issue 2 , September 2020, , Pages 1-21

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2020.249157.142520

Abstract

One of the most important reasons for the formation of cities is their geographic location. Sometimes these particular geographic conditions themselves cause the city to be displaced ... Read More

Parthian History and Syriac Sources by Looking at the Impact of National Iranian Historical Traditions on Syriac Resources

Narges Asadpur; Kamaleddin Niknami

Volume 13, Issue 4 , September 2022, , Pages 1-20

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2019.289750.142782

Abstract

We are justlfied in our study of Iran’s historical period by the invisible and clear vestiges of the mysterious Parthian empire, which has piqued the interest of a lot of ... Read More

Typology and Chronology of Pottery Findings in the Bagh-Bamid site of Sirjan from the Early Islamic Centuries to the Thirteenth Century AD

Zeinab Afzali; Sattar Khaledian

Volume 15, Issue 1 , April 2023, , Pages 1-27

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2022.343725.143120

Abstract

According to written sources, the city of Beymand was one of the cities of Kerman province in the early centuries of the Islamic era. Beymand was considered to be one of the more important ... Read More

The Sham Valley and the Question of the Ilkhanids’ Religious Leniency in Northwest Iran (Jolfa)

Soraya َAfshari; Liliy Niakan; Behrooz Omrani; Mohammad Mortezayi

Volume 16, Issue 1 , February 2024, , Pages 1-23

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2021.323475.143018

Abstract

Archaeological inquiries into the Islamic period show both in quantity and quality that targeted and wide-ranging studies aiming to identify the pertinent monuments and sites have obvious ... Read More Archaeological inquiries into the Islamic period show both in quantity and quality that targeted and wide-ranging studies aiming to identify the pertinent monuments and sites have obvious limitations, and for this very reason our understanding of this time period is mainly limited to the information deriving from textual evidence. Accordingly, with the aim of identifying and studying the Ilkhanid sites on the banks of the Aras, a season of reconnaissance survey was carried out in 2019. Focusing on the Sham Valley region of Jolfa County on the border of the two Iranian provinces of East and West Azerbaijans, the fieldwork recorded 53 monuments and sites (Afshari,2019). Given the region’s strategic, geopolitical position in the vicinity of such regions of Caucasia, Turkey and Central Asia as well as its obvious location on major regional lines of communication, several different cultures flourished there spanning in date the second millennium BC to the latest periods. In other words, the foremost factor responsible for the formation of settlements was the region’s location on trade routes and its easy intra- and extra-regional communications, especially during the Ilkhanid period, which played a conspicuous part in the cultural evolution of the Sham Valley. Concurrently, given the region’s religious importance under the Ilkhanid rulers which echoes their religious clemency as part of their foreign policies, revealing data were obtained regarding the local social and religious structures in different periods, especially the era in question. In other words, the correspondence between the field survey’s findings and the historical texts make it clear that the Ilkhanids’s lack of religious prejudice, termed as religious toleration, was an upshot of a series of apparent and latent factors, which in general stemmed from the political orientations they adopted towards religious convictions (Morgan,2004؛ Torkamani Azar,1992 ). Recruitment of Christian females in the court (Bayani, 2011), employing Christian advisors and agents, maintaining contacts with Christian businessmen, missionaries and priests, and the particular attentions paid to the affairs of the Christian populations in Iran were all driven by the prerequisites underpinning their internal and external relations as it is evidenced by the fact that the changes in such relationships in the later Ilkhanid period would be associated with changes in the religious approaches due to political developments

Niche Construction and Settlement Pattern Analysis of Ancient Sites in the Northwestern Part of the Central Iranian Plateau (Qazvin sub-basin) During the Neolithic, Transitional Chalcolithic and Chalcolithic Periods, In Relation to Natural Factors

Mohammad Mohsen Zonoubi; Hassan Fazeli Nashli; Hassan Derakhshi

Volume 17, Issue 1 , June 2025, , Pages 5-36

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2024.386117.143319

Abstract

AbstractThroughout ancient periods, geographical conditions and natural factors have had a significant impact on the formation, prosperity, decline, and settlement patterns of ancient ... Read More AbstractThroughout ancient periods, geographical conditions and natural factors have had a significant impact on the formation, prosperity, decline, and settlement patterns of ancient sites. This article examines the settlement of human groups in the northwestern part of the Central Plateau (Qazvin) and their settlement patterns from the beginning of the Late Neolithic period to the end of the Chalcolithic period, in light of geomorphological and altitudinal characteristics, drainage networks, and climatic changes. The results show that natural conditions have had a significant impact on the settlement pattern of ancient sites in the Qazvin sub-basin, as well as settlement discontinuities and continuities.Keywords: Niche Construction, Settlement Pattern, Central Iranian Plateau, Qazvin sub-basin. 1. IntroductionThe relationship between culture and the natural environment has been one of the oldest debates in archaeology and anthropology, consistently providing a source of discussion (Meggers, 1954). By observing the relationship between humans and the environment from the past to the present, it can be seen that this relationship has always been two-way. Although in the past, due to less knowledge and a more primitive level of technology, this influence was much greater than it is today, people have always been influenced by the environment and, in turn, have changed the environment (Haggett, translated by Shapour Goudarzinejad, 1384: 401).This article examines the niche construction of human groups in the northwestern part of the Central Plateau (the Qazvin watershed sub-basin) and the displacement of settlements in relation to geomorphological, altitudinal, drainage network, and climatic changes during the Late Neolithic, Transitional Chalcolithic, and Chalcolithic periods. Niche construction refers to the activities, choices, and processes through which organisms define, select, modify, to some extent create their environments (Odling-Smee et al., 1996; Laland & O’Brien, 2012 & 2015; Laland et al., 2016). The shifting of settlements and the selection of new habitats throughout ancient periods in response to environmental and climatic changes can also be considered a form of niche construction, wherein humans shape the environment according to their needs and lifestyle. In their search for new habitats, communities were compelled to alter the environment around them. Early architecture and the beginning of agriculture are examples of such human interventions in the environment. While the relocation to new areas was a strategy for adapting to environmental changes, it was also itself a significant factor in causing environmental change. 2. Methodology The study area of this research is the Qazvin sub-basin (Fig. 1). This sub-basin is itself a small part of the larger Namak Lake sub-basin. In terms of geomorphology, the Qazvin sub-basin is divided into three units: the northern unit (Alborz sub-unit), the interior basins and plains unit, and the central Iranian mountains unit (Alaei Taleghani, 1388). The most important landforms in the study area include mountains, alluvial fans, and alluvial plains.The research began by delineating the Qazvin sub-basin using a 30-meter Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and ArcGIS. Based on the topography of the study area, the drainage network and all potential streams within the Qazvin sub-basin were extracted from the DEM. Subsequently, using ArcGIS, maps of distance from rivers and stream order were created, and analyzed in relation to the distribution, frequency, and density of sites. Afterward, geomorphological zones within the study area were identified and mapped using Google Earth satellite imagery, along with 1:50000 topographic maps and 1:100000 geological maps of the region. Subsequently, the location of ancient settlements was examined in relation to elevation, as well as the distribution of ancient sites across various geomorphological zones. In the next phase, the impacts of Holocene climate change on the settlement patterns of ancient sites over three specified periods were studied and analyzed. 3. DiscussionAnalysis of settlement locations in relation to geomorphological features revealed that alluvial fans were the most densely occupied geomorphological landforms in this sub-basin during all three periods. Due to favorable geographic conditions such as gentle slopes, easy access to water resources, and the presence of fine-grained sediments, alluvial fans have historically been among the most preferred geomorphic landforms for settlement on the Iranian Plateau in general. The study of settlements in relation to altitude revealed that the highest density and percentage frequency of sites during the three periods under consideration were found in the 1000 to 1500-meter altitude range. During the Neolithic period, all ancient sites were located within this range, but during the Transitional Chalcolithic and Chalcolithic periods, in addition to this range, the distribution of sites extended to higher altitudes as well. A study of ancient sites in relation to their distance from rivers revealed that in the Qazvin sub-basin, the 0-500-meter range from the rivers was the most densely populated in all three studied periods. On the other hand, examining the location of these sites in relation to the stream order showed that in this sub-basin during the Neolithic period, most of the sites were located near third-order streams. In the Transitional Chalcolithic period, the concentration of sites was near to the first and second-order streams, while in the Chalcolithic period, first and third-order streams had the highest frequency of site concentration in their vicinity.The relationship between settlement patterns and climate change was also examined. During the Neolithic period, most humans likely settled in low-lying areas with favorable environmental conditions for agricultural activities. During this period, all ancient sites were located in alluvial plains and alluvial fans. Most of the Neolithic archaeological sites in this study belong to the Late Neolithic period with an absolute and relative chronology ranging from 6000 to 5200 BCE (Fazeli Nashli et al., 1398: 48). Comparing this time frame with the climatic events of 9200 and 8200 BP indicates that the beginning of the cultural flourishing of the Neolithic period occurred after these two climatic events and coincided with more favorable climatic conditions.Research conducted on the Transitional Chalcolithic period indicates an increase in aridity and dust during a portion of this timeframe. According to findings compiled by Sheikh Biklou Islam and colleagues (2023), this period is divided into three climatic phases: (a) 7300-7000 BP, the climate was temperate and humid; (b) 7000-6700 BPE, when humidity decreased; and (c) 6700-6300 BP, when the climate was relatively warm and humid, tending toward aridity towards the end. Our results show that settlement continuity persisted at several ancient sites, while settlement was disrupted at others. All settlements that continued to be occupied during the Neolithic and Transitional Chalcolithic periods were situated on alluvial fans at altitudes ranging between 1000 and 1500 meters. The increase in the frequency of settlements during the Transitional Chalcolithic period compared to the Neolithic period may be attributed to the favorable climatic conditions. Many climate proxies in the Middle East indicate dry climatic conditions during the Chalcolithic period ca. 6400-6000 BP. More than 30% of Chalcolithic sites are located in mountainous areas, and the aridity may have led to a change in subsistence patterns to pastoralism, towards higher altitudes. This indicates a type of ecological continuity and adaptation. On the other hand, a number of ancient sites were abandoned during the Chalcolithic period, mostly located between 500 and 1000 meters from watercourses, and often adjacent to lower-stream orders. As mentioned, during dry periods, due to less rainfall, the probability of watercourses drying up increased, and lower-order streams were often devoid of water flow during these periods. This could have been an aggravating factor in the difficult conditions for continued settlement during the Chalcolithic period in these sites.4. ConclusionThe results of the study showed that natural conditions including geomorphology, altitude, drainage networks, and paleoclimate have had a significant impact on the pattern and the discontinuities and continuities of the settlement.

An Analysis of the Role of Natural Factors in the Spatial Distribution of Castle Settlements in Ardabil Province Using GIS and AHP

parviz purkarimi; Karim Hajizadeh; reza rezaloo; behrouz afkhami

Volume 12, Issue 1 , May 2020, , Pages 19-40

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2020.261578.142594

Abstract

Castle monuments are one of the settlement types whose location, formation and space distribution are strongly influenced by natural factors and communicational factors. The present ... Read More

Explanation and Analysis of Bronze Pottery Making in Khorassan Case Study: Shahrak-e Firouze Site in the Neyshabur Plain

Hassan Basafa

Volume 13, Issue 4 , September 2022, , Pages 21-37

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2021.296601.142842

Abstract

The study of pottery production and organization in the Bronze Age helps us to know the cultural and technical characteristics. Knowing this issue is done by relying on production ... Read More The study of pottery production and organization in the Bronze Age helps us to know the cultural and technical characteristics. Knowing this issue is done by relying on production technology and recognizing the traditions used in pottery production, as well as by examining the possibility of exchange or trade and internal and external regional actions. Accordingly, it is necessary to know about the explanation and analysis of the Bronze Age pottery-making in the prehistoric settlement, especially in the Bronze Age. In Khorasan, we don’t have enough archaeological pieces of information about the Bronze Age and this area consists of many plains such as Neyshabur plain that this plain is one of the most important. The location and suitable environment of Neyshabur plain are the most important reasons for the development of human societies. The basis of this research is the construction of furnaces, production techniques, topology, and distribution of pottery pieces, which have been obtained during the 5 seasons of Shahrak-e Firouze archaeological excavations. Based on this, the process of producing pottery has been done outside the residential zone and has been formed centrally, such as large-scale industrial centers on the outskirts or adjacent to the settlement. Their production technology has also been selected and designed with the aim of mass production. The forms are simple and varied and are dated in a comparative approach in the Middle and Late Bronze Ages, while in their development, the influences of the Bactria Margiana Archaeological complex (Oxus Civilization) are seen as the most important known culture of Central Asia in the Bronze Age. The similarities between the pottery traditions and, in a way, the specialized pottery production organization between the Neyshabour plain and Central Asia show similar traditions on a trans-regional scale. The results of this study show that the pottery making of Neyshabour in the Bronze Age has been associated with Central Asia more than the interior of the Iranian plate.

An Analysis of Structural Reasons for the Use of Bulbous Domes and their Prevalence in Iran: A Case Study of Shah Mosque in Mashhad

Zeinab Akbari; Javad Neyestani; Mohammadreza Nasiri

Volume 12, Issue 2 , September 2020, , Pages 23-39

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2020.260100.142585

Abstract

Bulbous domes are among discontinuous double-shell domes and has been developed in Iran since the middle of the 9th century AH/ the 15th century AD, concurrent with Timurid period. ... Read More

The Archaeological Survey of Shahivand Region in Chegeni County, Lorestan Province

Mohammad Bahrami

Volume 16, Issue 1 , February 2024, , Pages 25-51

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2023.357444.143193

Abstract

Chegani County is situated in the western portion of Luristan province. In pursuit of comprehensive studies and investigations within Luristan province, the author conducted a survey ... Read More

Southern Lake Urmia in the Iron Age III Period: New Evidence from Mahabad

Vahed Joolaee; Reza Rezaloo; Karim Jajizadeh Bastani; Behrouz Afkhami

Volume 15, Issue 1 , April 2023, , Pages 29-54

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2020.281524.142720

Abstract

According to historical evidence, during the Iron Age III period the southern shores of Lake Urmia were a place where many tribes lived, politically divided among small kingdoms whose ... Read More

Settlement Patterns of the Prehistoric Cultures of the Western Karkheh River Basin during the Village Period

Ramin Yashmi; Farshid Iravani Ghadim; Rahmat Abbasnejad Seresti; Babak Rafiei Alavi

Volume 17, Issue 1 , June 2025, , Pages 37-78

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2024.382436.143297

Abstract

AbstractThe western side of the Karkheh River Basin, situated to the west of Greater Susiana, adjacent to the central Susiana plain, lies along a desert-plain ecotone. This ecological ... Read More AbstractThe western side of the Karkheh River Basin, situated to the west of Greater Susiana, adjacent to the central Susiana plain, lies along a desert-plain ecotone. This ecological zone benefits from a range of environmental resources, including the fertile lands of the Karkheh River Basin, streams, and pastures. It also encompasses settlements dating from the prehistoric, historic, and Islamic periods. The present study seeks to analyze the fundamental environmental and archaeological data from this western side of this region. By offering a comprehensive characterization of settlement patterns during the Village Period, this research aims to explore how dynamic landscape changes influenced these patterns throughout the period under investigation. Through an assessment of settlement configurations across various prehistoric periods, the study will present concrete examples to support a proposed definition of the settlement system in the region. To achieve this, identified settlements will be examined in relation to the distribution and extent of material culture and a chronological framework will be established for each geographical unit. Furthermore, by evaluating the environmental capacities of these units, the research will determine whether the settlement organization during each period can be characterized as centralized, or whether settlement formation followed a more decentralized pattern. Finally, the impact of landscape transformations on the regional settlement system will be analyzed by comparing reconstructed past landscapes to their present state.Keywords: Greater Susiana, Karkheh River Basin, Western Karkheh Region, Village Period, Settlement Patterns, Geomorphology, Palaeoenvironmental Changes. 1. IntroductionConsiderable efforts have been made to study Greater Susiana from the perspective of paleo-climatic reconstruction in archaeological studies, and to a somewhat lesser extent, the role of the reciprocal relationship between humans and the environment during the Initial, Early, Middle, and Late Village periods, which together form the Village Period sequence in this region (Adams 1962; Kouchoukos 1998; Alizadeh et al., 2004). Previous studies conducted in Greater Susiana have revealed the adaptability of human societies and their settlement distribution patterns relative to potential changes in the natural landscapes of this geographic zone (Kouchoukos 1998; Wright 2010; Moghaddam 2012; Rashidian 2020). The study of settlement distribution patterns in the relatively small plains west of the Karkheh River (the Western Karkheh Region, hereafter WKR), which are distinguished by their geomorphological features, forms the basis of this research (Map 1). Settlement is continuous in the region from the Late Neolithic period (Archaic Susiana Phase III) to the dawn of urbanization (Terminal Susa A) and can be assessed within the chronological framework of southwestern Iran (Chart 2). Therefore, the research questions of this study are as follows:1. How did the settlement system in the western plains of the Karkheh River Basin evolve during the Village Period?2. On what basis was the connection between Village Period sites of the Western Karkheh Region formed?3. What role do changes in the Karkheh River’s regime play in the establishment, occupational continuity, and the archaeological visibility of prehistoric sites in the Western Karkheh Region?The focal point of this study concerns the role of the Karkheh River in shaping prehistoric site formation and its taphonomic role in structuring how sites have been detected by previous field research. There can be no doubt of the role of geomorphological factors in both processes, particularly as regards the earliest periods in this sequence, i.e., the Initial and Early Village Period settlements (Late Neolithic period) in the northern plains of Khuzestan. 2. DiscussionIn the WKR region, remains have been documented from the final stage of the Initial Village period (corresponding to the Late Neolithic and the transitional phase from the Neolithic to Chalcolithic, i.e., the Choga Mami Transitional phase), the Middle Village period, and the Late Village period. Evidence from the Archaic Susiana Phase III has been observed thus far in at least three archaeological sites (Map 3: AS III). However, apart from a single piece of pottery at Tepe Ankoush in the Chenaneh Uplands and two other instances at the important archaeological site of Ishan Aswad in the Sorkheh Plain, no significant artifacts have been found in the collected assemblages that can confidently be dated to the following period, i.e., Early Susiana. It is possible that the aforementioned artifact could date back to the Archaic Susiana period. Additionally, while Adams (1962) attributes an archaeological site in this region to the Early Susiana period, none of these cases are sufficient to confirm the distribution of cultural remains from this period in the WKR region (Map 3: ES). A similar situation exists for the Early Middle Susiana period, as no cultural remains that can be definitively dated to this period were observed in the study. Only at Ishan Aswad, in the northernmost part of the study area, were three pottery pieces found that could be attributed to the Early Middle Susiana period. Given the flourishing of this site during later periods, it is possible that these two pieces were either produced and used as a continuation of earlier ceramic traditions during later times, or that older deposits, including those from the Early Middle Susiana period, were buried under newer layers (Map 3: EMS).Fifteen archaeological sites in the region west of the Karkheh River have been dated to the Late Middle Susiana period. The settlements of this period throughout the study area mainly follow a linear pattern along the Karkheh River from north to south. The only exception is Tepe Reqeyveh in the Dowsalaq Plain, which is a settlement from the Late Middle Susiana period located in the westernmost part of the study area (Map 3: LMS).The Late Susiana 1 period exhibits the most extensive settlement spatial distribution across the entire WKR region. Unlike the linear distribution pattern of the previous period, this period displays two types of settlement patterns: linear and clustered, on the eastern and western sides of the study area respectively. The linear pattern begins from the western bank of Karkheh in the Sorkheh Plain, includes the Chenaneh Uplands, and continues toward the easternmost part of the Bagheh Plain. The richness of the archaeological sites gradually decreases from north to south,. The Dowsalaq Plain, on the opposite side of the study area, shows a centralized cluster of settlements from this period. The southernmost identified settlement is Jali’eh Umm-ed-Dibis, which was a minor settlement during this period (Map 3: LS1).During the Late Susiana 2 period, the dual settlement pattern observed in the previous period persists; however, the settlement distribution is limited to the northern part of the study area, and no settlements from this period have been identified in the southern plains of Lekheizar, Bagheh, and Umm-ed-Dibis (Map 3: LS2). Although the former two plains, Lekheizar and Bagheh, also appear to have been unoccupied in previous periods and this condition continued into later Village periods, one must not overlook the impact of rapid or persistent climatic and environmental factors that may have altered the geomorphological conditions of these plains.The Terminal Susa A phase is the last period examined in this study in the region west of the Karkheh River. This period generally follows the patterns of the previous period. However, the number of settlements has significantly decreased, indicating a possible reduction in the population residing in the plains of the study area (Map 3: TS A). The only area that remained continuously inhabited throughout the entire Village period, flourishing and maintaining a significant population, is the extent of the Karkheh River’s alluvial fan in the Sorkheh Plain, which comprises the western terraces of the northernmost part of the study area. 3. Conclusion An analysis of changes in the morphology of the Karkheh River basin shows that the river has shifted its course at least three times westwards (Veenenbos 1956), transforming its wide floodplain into its current state with the gradual change of its course between 1500 BCE and 500 CE (Kirkby 1977). Beyond the crucial role this main channel has played in attracting and shaping the settlements on its western bank, it seems that the linear pattern of the eastern section of WKR Region is not related to the present flow of the river, but was formed on the western terraces when the Karkheh flowed through its ancient course, the Shaur River. Therefore, considering the potential that the area between the Shaur and Karkheh rivers may have had for the establishment of Village period settlements (Map 6), it seems that the remains of this period in the region may not necessarily provide an accurate reflection of the distribution of the sites and the Village period settlement systems in the Western Karkheh Region.

The Typology of Rusa II’s Seal Impressions on the Urartian Bullae of Bastam

Maryam Dara

Volume 13, Issue 4 , September 2022, , Pages 39-70

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2021.325316.143025

Abstract

Urartiand ruled over the shores of Urmia, Van and Sevan Lakes in from about 9th to 7th centuries B.C.E. Bullae are among the smallest but most significant pieces of information they ... Read More

Research on the Advantages of Archaeological Materials Found in the Underwater Archaeological Survey of Bushehr Port

Hossein Tofighian

Volume 12, Issue 1 , May 2020, , Pages 41-58

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2020.250382.142528

Abstract

According to the report of the Center for Marine Medical Studies affiliated to Bushehr University of Medical Sciences about the discovery of pottery fragments from the seafloor in the ... Read More According to the report of the Center for Marine Medical Studies affiliated to Bushehr University of Medical Sciences about the discovery of pottery fragments from the seafloor in the coastal waters of Bushehr Port, Department of Underwater Archeology, Iranian Center for Archaeological Research (ICAR) undertook to study and identify these cultural remains during August 2016. With the participation of professional divers, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences began scientific diving in the Persian Gulf. During the underwater archaeological survey, an area containing clay fragments in the seafloor was identified. The site is located 500 meters from the shores of Bushehr Port and at a depth of three to six meters. Underwater archeological studies of the coasts of Bushehr port in the Persian Gulf, cultural materials including Torpedo jars, small and large glazed crabs and fragments of pottery in the seafloor were identified. Among the cultural findings, a small number of Torpedo jars and more broken pieces of this pottery and several glazed potteries were collected. Torpedo jars and Turquoise glaze pottery are among the most prominent Sassanid pottery in the Persian Gulf that were shipped from Iranian ports to destination ports in the maritime trade. Determining the true nature of this historic site and its dating was one of the major impetus for underwater archaeological diving operations on these beaches, which led to the discovery of cargo from a historic ship from the Sassanid era. In this article, while explaining the underwater archaeology research program of Bushehr port, the discovered pottery of this study, including turquoise and glazed pottery as the most prominent Sassanid and early Islamic pottery in the Persian Gulf, will be discussed. The Sassanid position in the Persian Gulf maritime trade and the importance of trade in this historic period from Iranian ports to destination ports in the Indian subcontinent, the southern coasts of the Persian Gulf and East Africa are carefully considered.

Sphero-Conical Vessels in Islamic Pottery Survey and Explaining of Function

Hessamedin Arman; hossein koohestani; ali zareie

Volume 12, Issue 2 , September 2020, , Pages 41-59

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2020.243476.142486

Abstract

Among human productions, the art of pottery has significantly expressed the thoughts, ideas and mental creativity of human beings throughout history, among which, glazed pottery in ... Read More

Typo-technological Classification of the Chipped Stone Assemblages of Hotu Cave from the Mesolithic to the Transitional Chalcolithic: Reflections on Local Raw Material Procurement in the Caspian Sea Littoral Ecozone

Mozhgan Jayez; Mojtaba Safari; Sana Ghasemi

Volume 16, Issue 1 , February 2024, , Pages 53-86

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2023.357605.143194

Abstract

Prehistoric investigations in the southeastern region of the Caspian Sea commenced more than a century ago, resulting in the identification of several prominent archaeological sites, ... Read More Prehistoric investigations in the southeastern region of the Caspian Sea commenced more than a century ago, resulting in the identification of several prominent archaeological sites, notably the caves of Kamarband, Hotu, Komishan, and Altappeh. These caves have become well-known for their rich archaeological deposits, spanning from approximately 16,000 years ago in the Mesolithic period to the Historic period. Hotu Cave, situated on a cliff along the northern slope of the Alborz mountain range, gained significant attention following its initial excavation in the 1950s by Carleton S. Coon. Excavations conducted over two field seasons lasting nine weeks each revealed valuable insights into the region's prehistoric occupation. In 2021, a team led by Hasan Fazeli from the University of Tehran undertook the re-excavation of Hotu Cave, unearthing 124 archaeological contexts spanning from the Mesolithic to the Historic period. Among the notable findings were 1,539 chipped stone artifacts, predominantly crafted from locally sourced Behshahr chert. The chipped stone assemblage from Hotu Cave exhibits distinctive characteristics indicative of different periods, including pressure removal technique evident in blade-lets and sickle trapezoids dating back to the Neolithic period, alongside ubiquitous scrapers and notched-denticulated tools found across all layers. Technological shifts within the chipped stone assemblage, observed during the recent excavations, reflect changes in subsistence patterns inferred from archaeozoological research on animal remains. However, the interpretation of these technological and subsistence changes is nuanced, as it remains unclear whether they occurred locally and gradually or resulted from external influences, such as demographic movements or the diffusion of ideas from neighboring regions. The chronological gap between the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods complicates the determination of the precise mechanisms driving these transformations solely based on material evidence from Hotu Cave. Further interdisciplinary research integrating archaeological, chronological, and environmental data is warranted to elucidate the dynamics of cultural change in this region during the transition from the Mesolithic to the Neolithic period

A Study on the Reasons of Inshushinak's Absence in the Religious Texts of Persepolis Fortification

sorour khorashadi; Alireza Enteshari Najafabadi

Volume 15, Issue 1 , April 2023, , Pages 55-87

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2022.344574.143135

Abstract

In the religion of Ancient Elamites, various gods were worshiped. One of the most important gods was Inshushinak. Despite the importance of Inshushinak in the history of Elam, his name ... Read More

Assessing Relative Chronology via Identification of Knapping Techniques: The Case Study of Blade and Bladelet Production in Komishan Cave, Mazandaran, Iran

Mozhgan Jayez; Hamed Vahdati Nasab

Volume 12, Issue 1 , May 2020, , Pages 59-80

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2020.257826.142566

Abstract

Regarding the evolution of the production technique over a long period of prehistory, chipped stone assemblages provide many features that are recognizable and suitable for relative ... Read More

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

Sahar Bakhtiari; rouhollah shirazi; behrooz omrani; Reza Salmanpour

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

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

Abstract

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

Identifying the Cultural Sequence of Marivan Plain; Based on Archaeological Field Survey

Morteza Zamani Dadaneh; Sirvan Mohammadi Ghasrian; Amir Saed Mucheshi

Volume 13, Issue 4 , September 2022, , Pages 71-96

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2022.279507.142704

Abstract

In recent years, an increasing number of archaeological investigations have produced new evidence for the prehistoric development (both in chronology and settlement patterns) in the ... Read More In recent years, an increasing number of archaeological investigations have produced new evidence for the prehistoric development (both in chronology and settlement patterns) in the westernmost provinces of Iran. Prior to the commencement of the MPAP an earlier survey in the Marivan region had been carried out by the Department of Archaeology at Bu Ali Sina University in Hamadan (Iran). Research focused on the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods and, unfortunately, evidence from the Chalcolithic periods is yet to be published. The Marivan Plain Survey Project, by Morteza Zamani Dadaneh from the University of Kurdistan, Kurdish Studies Institute, conducted a first season of systematic survey for four weeks in the summer of 2018. The goal of MPAP is to reassess previous survey work in the region. Archaeological project of Marivan plain in 2018 resulted in identifying 60 sites from Neolithic to more recent time. Among identified sites: 1 site dating back to PPN Neolithic, 14 site to chalcolithic period (early, middle and late), 2 site to Bronze Age probably, 11 site to Iron Age, 28 site to historic (Parthian) period and 12 site to Islamic era. Regarding the settlement pattern of prehistoric sites (Neolithic and chalcolithic period), it become clear that all prehistoric sites distributed in the northern and southern shore of Zeribar lake. Most probably such pattern influenced from Zeribar sea level and access to the fertilized agricultural lands in this area in Neolithic and chalcolithic times. But the distribution pattern of historic and Islamic sites is somewhat different from prehistoric pattern and is similar to pattern of nowadays residential areas. Current and historic/Islamic residential area placed close to permanent water sources in the narrow valleys surrounded the Zeribar lake. Of course, part of the Marivan Plain is located in the east of the current Marivan City, which is far from Zarivar Lake, and dispersed settlements in this section formed on the edge of the main river, one of the branches of the Garan River

Analysis of the Chalcolithic period of the Moghan plain based on archaeological data from Yatag Tepesi

Ali Karimikiya; Reza Rezaloo; Akbar Abedi; Ardeshir Javanmardzade

Volume 17, Issue 1 , June 2025, , Pages 79-104

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2021.319501.142989

Abstract

AbstractThe Aras River and other waterways in the Moghan region have played a significant role in the development of prehistoric settlements. Despite this, the Moghan Plain has received ... Read More AbstractThe Aras River and other waterways in the Moghan region have played a significant role in the development of prehistoric settlements. Despite this, the Moghan Plain has received relatively little archaeological attention compared to the extensive scientific investigations conducted in the Urmia Lake Basin. One exception is the Yatag Tepesi site in Germi, which has been the subject of systematic research. The primary aim of this article is to introduce the pottery traditions of the region and establish a chronological framework for the study area. To facilitate a more detailed understanding of cultural interactions with neighboring regions during the Chalcolithic period, the study poses the following research questions: based on the analysis of cultural materials, particularly ceramic assemblages, to which cultural period(s) can the study area be attributed? Furthermore, what cultural and geographical connections can be identified between the site of Yatag Tepesi and the surrounding region based on the archaeological evidence? The findings suggest that during the Chalcolithic period, the region exhibited strong cultural ties with other parts of northwestern Iran, particularly the Qarehdagh region, the Urmia Lake Basin, and the South Caucasus. The research employs fieldwork-based methods combined with a descriptive-analytical approach. The distinct characteristics of the ceramics and other cultural materials indicate significant cultural linkages with northwestern Iran. Chronologically, the site is dated to approximately 4500–3700/3600 BCE, underscoring its importance in constructing the broader cultural-historical framework of the region.Keywords: Yatag Tepesi, Moghan Plain, Germi, Chalcolithic period, Northwestern Iran. 1. IntroductionDue to its suitable conditions and special location, northwestern Iran has a sequence of settlements dating from prehistory to the Islamic period. This region of the Iranian plateau has long had an important place in prehistoric studies of Iran due to its proximity to cultural areas such as the South Caucasus, Anatolia, the Zagros, Mesopotamia and the Central Plateau of Iran. The Moghan Plain is located in northwestern Iran, west of the Caspian Sea and north of Ardabil province (northeastern Azerbaijan) and differs from other parts of Azerbaijan in terms of its geographical features. Yatag Tepesi is located nearest to Barzand Ghalasi, along the historical road “Gafgaz Yolu” in the Garmi district of Moghan (Figure 1). This fort is located in the middle of Barzand valley on the west bank of the Barzand Chai at an altitude of 493 meters above the sea level. The main purpose of this article is to introduce the traditions of pottery and to determine its chronological sequence in the study area. To facilitate a more detailed investigation of cultural interactions with neighboring regions and to establish a chronological framework for the studied geographical area during the Chalcolithic period, the following questions are posed. First, based on the analysis of cultural materials, particularly the ceramic assemblages from Yatag Tepesi, to which cultural period(s) can the site be attributed? The main hypothesis in this regard is that the site is related to the Middle Chalcolithic (LC1) and Late Chalcolithic (LC2 3) periods. Second, according to the archeological data obtained at the site of Yatag Tepesi, with which geographical areas does the site have more cultural connections? Studies show cultural connections and commonalities with other regions of northwestern Iran, especially with the Qaradagh region and the Lake Urmia basin, as well as the South Caucasus. The present study was conducted both through fieldwork and using a descriptive-analytical approach. 2. DiscussionArchaeological trenches at Barzand Ghalasi were done with the aim of determining the area and extent of the central citadel and its surroundings. A total of 11 test trenches were excavated on the hill known as Yatag Tepesi. Based on archaeological data obtained from Trench G, two cultural periods were observed. The second period is based on cultural data (potsherds, flint and obsidian tools (Table: 5), mortar and pestle (Figure: 5) and bone tools (Figure: 6) related to the Middle Chalcolithic (LC1) (Figure 2) (Table: 1) and the Late Chalcolithic (LC2 3) (Figure 3) (Table: 2) periods. According to preliminary studies, no data have been obtained from Yatag Tepesi related to the Early Chalcolithic period (Dalma culture). The most important archaeological data that can be dated to this period are ceramics. All the obtained pottery is handmade and the surface of the pottery is normally smooth and polished. Vessel forms vary, including shallow bowls, large bowls, storage containers and large cauldrons (open mouth utensils) and glasses / drinking bowls. Among the pottery, no type of painted pottery was found and from the last locus, a unique piece of pottery was found that belongs to the bottom of the pot / vat (Figure: 4), which has a diameter of 31 cm. According to anthropological evidence, open mouth containers are more compatible with containers dedicated to the storage of dry materials and given the availability of this type of utensils, it is possible that the people living at Yatag Tepesi in the Chalcolithic period relied on agricultural products. It is also possible that the presence of stone tools such as mortars and pestles could be related to agricultural activities, although the presence of animal bones and their residues, as well as the figurine of a cow may also confirm the existence of livestock. 3. ConclusionBased on the excavation, two cultural periods have been identified at Yatag Tepesi, the second period of which is related to the Middle Chalcolithic (LC1) and the Late Chalcolithic (LC2 3) periods. All pottery is handmade and the surface of the pottery is normally smooth and polished. Vessels come in a variety of forms, including open-mouthed and narrow-mouthed, and most of the pottery obtained is of the open-mouthed type. Based on the faunal record, as well as a clay figurine that probably depicts a bovid, tools such as pestles, mortars and similar tools, we can ascribe the locus of excavation as a residential area. Additionally, the presence of straw impressions throughout all excavated layers down to the virgin soil suggests that the site may have functioned as a seasonal pastoral settlement. The cultural remains of the area belong to the Middle Chalcolithic / Pisdeli / LC 1 and Late Chalcolithic / LC 2-3 and chaff faced pottery. This period (Middle and Late Chalcolithic) is generally referred to in northwestern Iran as Hasanlu VIII. In absolute chronological terms, according to radiocarbon samples from the two sites of Dava Goz III and Kul Tepe VII and via relative chronological corroboration with other prehistoric sites belonging to the same period, the site likely dates to 4500-4200 BCE.

An Investigation of the Dating of the Main Gateway of Arg-e-Bam

Afshin Ebrahimi; Asadualla Joodakiazizi

Volume 12, Issue 1 , May 2020, , Pages 81-96

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2020.260241.142589

Abstract

The Arg, situated in the northeast of Bam, is one of the historical complexes which perfectly portrays the landscape of a traditional Iranian town. Despite some research related to ... Read More

An Introduction, Description and Classification of Parthian Pottery from Tepe Balan, Sardasht, First Season

salah salimi; Reza Heidari; yousef fallahian

Volume 12, Issue 2 , September 2020, , Pages 83-106

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2020.206209.142290

Abstract

Tepe Balan is one of the five ancient tepe that has been excavated as part of Sardasht dam’s salvage project. More than 900 diagnostic pottery pieces have been found during the ... Read More

Volume 17 (2025)

Volume 16 (2024)

Volume 15 (2023)

Volume 14 (2022)

Volume 13 (2021)

Volume 12 (2020)

Volume 11 (2019)

Volume 10 (2018)

Volume 9 (2017)

Volume 8 (2016)

Volume 7 (2015)

Volume 6 (2014)

Volume 5 (2013)

Volume 4 (2012)

Volume 3 (2011)

Volume 1 (2009)

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