Journal of Archaeological Studies

The North and South Central Plateau of Iran During the Third and Second Millennium BCE (3200-1500 BCE)

Hassan Fazeli nashli; Siamak Sarlak; Javad Hoseinzadeh; Sahar Yazdani; Babak Rafiei-Alavi; Stacy .A. Carolin

Volume 14, Issue 2 , September 2022, , Pages 153-180

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2022.348692.143160

Abstract

The societies of the northern and southern zones of the “Iranian Central Plateau” flourished during the last quarter of fourth millennium BCE. This floruit was marked by ... Read More

A Comparative Observation to Iran’s Metalwork from 16th century to 20th century

Abdolkarim Attarzadeh

Volume 12, Issue 3 , December 2020, , Pages 167-192

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2020.269972.142644

Abstract

At the same time as the industrial revolution and the production of factory products in the West, handicrafts gradually got out from the competition and went to the sideline. Due to ... Read More At the same time as the industrial revolution and the production of factory products in the West, handicrafts gradually got out from the competition and went to the sideline. Due to the exclusive features of each of the handicraft’s fields this conversion of situation was not the same. Metalwork with its specific features has also gone through the ups and downs. In the present research these questions are considered: Has the European industrial developments been the cause of changes in the craft industry in Iran? And if the first question proved, on which features of the decorative, formal, technical and structural features of traditional Iranian metalwork have influenced? The aim of this study is understanding Influential components on Iranian handicrafts especially in metalwork and utilizing the results of the research to revive the low-powered characteristics of traditional metalworking and to compete again in this area. The research methodology is also based on collecting and reviewing the data and samples in the important periods before and after this important historical and documentary event and analyzing them with written texts and resources simultaneously. Data studies have led to the conclusion that Iran's metalworking prior to the industrial changes of the West has continued with changes since the Industrial Revolution. These changes have more to do with the application, material, color and etc. Simultaneously with the Industrial Revolution and the production of factory products in the West, as well as the creation of Western styles, methods and schools of art and the vast changes that took place in the definition and interpretation of art compared to the past, traditional arts and handicrafts gradually out of competition. And went to the margins. Many of these products, which were once the main and most important tools and equipment used by the people and the court, became cultural and traditional goods during the 16 to 20 and 21centuries AD and became more of a gift for gifts, treasures and cultural artifacts. They became the focus for Iranians and foreign travelers. Iranian metalworking as one of the most important industries with characteristics such as material, application, tools and methods of construction, various decorations, patterns, inscriptions, themes and concepts of patterns, forms, etc. were not equally affected in the face of the industrial revolution. Some features of metalworking underwent fundamental changes and some features did not change much. Some became very weak, some rode in the eric of these developments, and some continued to live with changes. were not equally affected in the face of the industrial revolution. Some features of metalworking underwent fundamental changes and some features did not change much. In general, from the late Safavid period to the middle of the Qajar period and the beginning of the reign of Nasser al-Din Shah (1848-1895 ) AD, the import of industrial and artistic products of the West to Iran was less and from the reign of Nasser al-Din Shah, the relationship between Iran and the West became wider and wider. And led to travel and reciprocal travel. The concern of the present article was that the industrial developments and the corresponding introduction of various products of factories and also the change of deep attitude towards art in comparison with the past in Europe have caused changes in which of the decorative, formal, technical and structural features of traditional Iranian metalwork. ? What is the situation of these possible changes in Iran's metalworking position compared to the past? A general view of a variety of past metal products reinforced the assumption that all disciplines and products related to metalworking, including construction, shape, decoration, motifs, subject matter and concepts of motifs and applications gradually and after the Industrial Revolution Has been influenced by the industrial and artistic developments of the West, This effect has not caused complete oblivion or transformation of the works and the products produced, with traditional concepts and functions and the type of construction and to some extent the decoration in the Western way has continued its life. Knowing the original characteristics of Iranian metalwork and its distinction from the characteristics of Western art doubles the need for research. Accordingly, the aim of this study is to identify the hypertextual effects of the West on Iranian metalworking to revive the indigenous and traditional characteristics of this broad and long-standing field and re-compete in this field. The research method was to study and describe the documents before and after the period of transformation (before and after the period of Naser al-Din Shah) in Iranian metalwork in terms of material, decoration, artistic skills, engravings, etc. that can be based on the information obtained. Recognized the originality or effectiveness of the work. Metal works that could be studied in written sources, museums and private collections inside and outside Iran were very numerous and highly scattered this situation made them difficult to access and beyond the size of an article. For this reason, by using the non-probabilistic and random selection method, from the multitude of metal utensils, objects and tools, 300 works belonging to the pre-transformation period and 300 works belonging to the post-transformation period were selected. Since the features associated with metalworking were varied, including construction, polishing, decoration, engraving, inscriptions, and the like,To describe and analyze each of them, the following options were considered: role, form, application, line, gender, technique, subject matter and product type. Each of these options, due to its breadth and variety, was divided into sub-options and sub-options.. For example, the "decorations" variable included more detailed options such as embossing, plating, wire work, carving, machining. Studying 600 metal works with structures, forms, ornaments, patterns and other features produced results almost in line with the hypotheses. Circular-shaped works, from the middle of the Qajar period onwards, have become much more diverse due to the use of new tools, and despite the continuation of past methods, industrial casting has affected the production of more metal products in the second Qajar period.The diverse uses of former metalwork, especially government objects and jewelry, have continued into the new era, but their general use has declined ( Figure 1, 9-12).The writing on the metal works in the first period, with the greater use of the third line in the second period, shows the construction of the necessary equipment for mourning, taziyeh ceremonies and other religious performances (Figure 4, 18- 21). Which includes all kinds of signs, boilers, signs, gauges and the like. Reduction of metals such as bronze in the new period compared to the previous period, and the use of new metals such as Warsaw, the use of iron and gold in the second period compared to the previous one, explains the excessive interest of the later Qajar kings and after them in collecting jewelry and using iron in new constructions (Figure 5). The prominent presence of decorations on coatings, machine lathes, tapestries and enamels, while showing more variety of colors in the second Qajar period onwards, is a reason for using new techniques and sometimes foreign orders for metal works (Figure 6, 13- 15). Also, in relation to the subjects used, it can be said that the change in the use of works from the military and folklore of the pre-transformation period to decorative applications determines the gradual functional shift of metalworking in the two periods before and after the Industrial Revolution (Figure 7, 16- 17). In response to the second question: "What is the situation of these possible changes in Iran's metalworking position compared to the past?" It can be answered that Iran's metalworking continued before the industrial developments in the West, with changes in the period after the Industrial Revolution.

Studying, Identification and Position of the Beardless Person in the Ardashir Babakan's Reliefs

Hamzeh Ghobadi Zadeh; Ali Asghar Selahshur; Younes Yousef Vand

Volume 13, Issue 1 , July 2021, , Pages 167-188

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2021.270894.142650

Abstract

A clean-shaven person behind the king is shown in the four Ardashir Babakan's reliefs in Firuzabad, Naghsh-e Rostam, and Naghsh-e Rajab. The various approaches have been suggested about ... Read More A clean-shaven person behind the king is shown in the four Ardashir Babakan's reliefs in Firuzabad, Naghsh-e Rostam, and Naghsh-e Rajab. The various approaches have been suggested about this person's identity, mentioned with various names and titles such as fly-whisk bearer eunuch, the servant or bodyguard of the king. The comparison of this type of iconography with those of the same preceding examples the Sasanid state in Iran during the Achaemenid and Assyrian periods shows that the shaving of the face is one of the common traditions among high-ranking clerics, which is most likely continued the later periods and especially, the Sasanid. Also, there is the possibility of belonging mentioned person to person other than the royal family based on the analysis of some of the available emblems and historical narratives. The present study is based on historical and archaeological information, which has provided new information about a clean-shaven person behind the king, shown in the four Ardashir Babakan's reliefs in Firuzabad, Naghsh-e Rostam, and Naghsh-e Rajab. This paper examines the beardless person's figure in the Ardashir I's reliefs and similar examples in the archaeological evidence such as reliefs, seals, and historical narratives. Furthermore, we are trying to determine the identification and probable position of this person. The most critical questions in this research are the following: 1- What is the identification of the beardless person in the Ardashir Babakan's reliefs? 2- What is the position of the beardless person in the Ardashir Babakan's reliefs? Most researchers have used the titles such as whisk-bearer, eunuch, servants, or bodyguards of the king. Lukonin has described this person as the Karen dynasty representative and attributed the carved emblem on his kolāh to this dynasty (Lukonin, 2005: 309). Ghirshman identifies him as a Sasanid nobleman (Ghirshman, 2011: 125), and Hinz describes him as bitaxš of Ardashir (Hinz2006: 276). By studying Sasanid riders' descent in the relief of warrior's war in Firuzabad, Kalani considers this person as the representative of the Soren family by a special emblem on his kolāh (Kalani, 2017a: 90; Kalani, 2017b: 204). Mousavi Haji and Sarfaraz believe that this person has been a servant and bodyguard of the king (Mousavi Haji and Sarfaraz, 2017: 72). The presence of beardless persons (or clean-shaven?) has a long history among the civilizations of the Ancient Near East; for example, we can see the examples of these people in different periods, such as Assyrian and Achaemenid ones, and in the Sasanid period, on the reliefs and seals later. Specimens of beardless persons are seen in ancient Near East works such as the Achaemenid and Assyrian periods (Figure 1, 2, 3, 4). A tradition that seems to have lasted until the Sasanid period, like Kerdīr (Figure 12). He reached such a very high position in the Sasanids' political structure that Narseh mentioned his name in the inscription of "Paikuli" among his noblemen and loyalists. Also, a person without a beard is seen in Ardashir I's reliefs in Fars. We can quickly identify these people as servants. Indeed, holding a device such as fly-whisk (?) not only did not create a disturb and disorder in their task, but also they could reach a position that everywhere are portrayed behind the king, and their Specimens are visible in the reliefs of the Assyrian, Achaemenid, and Sasanid (including Kerdīr). It seems the person who has been portrayed without a beard in all of Ardashir I's reliefs in Fars is enjoying such a position (Figure 7, 8, 9, 10, 11). Regarding all of Ardashir Babakan's reliefs, this beardless person is portrayed with a diadem and royal ribbons, so he cannot be one of the Sasanid kingdom people. We should search for his identity among non-royal family members. Among the courtiers of Ardashir are only Tansar and Abarsam, that different narratives exist about these two persons, especially in the Islamic sources are mentioned about their high position among the clerics. Tansar has not been mentioned in any sources contemporary with the Sasanid. Abarsam is mentioned in the inscriptions of the Shāpūr I's Ka'ba-i Zardusht among the Ardashir's courtiers, not as the clergy or Ardashir's vizier, but as one of the courtiers in the fifteenth row of this inscription. Regarding this person in the relief of Ardashir's war with Ardawan IV and Ardashir's investiture from Ahura Mazda, he has been both the high political and the first rank of the clergy society. According to Ibn Balkhi's version about Ardashir's vizier called Nansar, some scholars consider Tansar and Abarsam one person. He is named as "Mobad-e Mobadan" in epic texts, such as Karname-ye Ardahsir, and mentioned in the Shahnameh Ferdowsi with various titles, such as "Dastūr", vizier, "Mobad" and "Kadkhodā or Kadiwar (alderman)". The likeness of this person with the great Sasanian cleric is that like Kerdīr carrying the sword in the reliefs of Sarāb-e Bahrām and Sarmashhad, this person also, in addition to fighting on the battlefield of Tangab-e Firuzabad with the Parthian rival, in other Ardashir's reliefs carries a sword indicating this person has had a strong political influence, in addition to the high ranking clergy, as well as Kerdīr. This is a crucial point in rejecting the approaches of those who regard this person as a simple servant or a eunuch holding a fly-whisk behind the king's head. Is it reasonable a servant who is only his duty to hold a fly-whisk (?) behind the king's head carrying the weapon with his own? On the other hand, the carved emblem on his kolāh shows his descent and ancestry. Emblems related to the family of essential persons were carved on their kolāh, not a servant whose duty was only holding fly-whisk (?). Regarding the courtiers of Ardashir, Abarsam is the only person who has received the honorific title, "Ardashir's Farr" or Ardashir glory has been named in many sources as the senior clergy and grand vizier, so it seems has had a very high position. If we accept the view of the scholars that Parthian's adversary of the beardless person in the third scene of the relief of the warrior's war is the king of Ahwaz, or according to Henning, Ardawan V Elymais, probably can be more trusted in Tabari's version about the encounter king of Ahvaz with Abarsam who has attacked to the Ardashir Khorra in the absence of Ardashir, and should be considered the third scene of Firuzabad I's relief related to this battle and battle scene between the king of Ahwaz and Abarsam (Figure 7, 8). Probably a person portrayed without a beard in all of Ardashir's reliefs is Abarsam, who had both a very high political position because of his numerous services to Ardashir, and senior clergy of the Sasanid period appeared with this portrait and figure in the reliefs according to the tradition of shaving face among the clerics.

Evidences of Great Khorasan Culture (BMAC) at the Eastern Part of Central Desert of Iran, Based on Findings from Bekanda (Archaeological Site) in Tabas

bahram anani; Farshid Iravani ghadim

Volume 13, Issue 3 , September 2021, , Pages 169-191

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2020.302631.142875

Abstract

Because of the hot and dry weather of central desert in Iran, archaeological fieldwork and case studies in some regions like Tabas city have been insignificant and archaeologists were ... Read More Because of the hot and dry weather of central desert in Iran, archaeological fieldwork and case studies in some regions like Tabas city have been insignificant and archaeologists were not interested in working there. However, recent archaeological surveys have provided valuable findings for researchers. Specific geographical location and the connection as a natural corridor among central Asia, North of Khorasan, southeast of Iran, and central plateau of Iran, which was made by central desert, can be a great cause of archaeological studies in this region to get better understanding of ancient cultures from east of Iran. Therefore, to achieve perfect understanding over Great Khorasan Culture (BMAC), and the way it was developed across the east of Iran and its intercultural issues with other regions, all of them would demand completed archaeological studies at the same time with this culture in central east. Recent archaeological fieldwork on Great Khorasan Culture (BMAC) in central east were led to recognize several settlements and some new cemeteries located on the east for this culture. Bekanda site in Tabas is one of the significant sites in central east in which many evidences of the Great Khorasan Culture (BMAC) have been observed. This site is located beside the permanent river and of course, it was damaged dramatically. According to archaeological evidences it appears that Bekanda is a cemetery correlated with Bronze Age and associated with Great Khorasan Culture (BMAC). The main sources of this research have been chosen from the library sources and excavations of Bekanda of Tabas. This excavation was done for determining and recommending the border of this site, then these findings were analyzed and interpreted in theoretical studies. This paper intends to introduce and describing Great Khorasan Culture (BMAC) at the eastern Part of central Desert of Iran; furthermore, its results can demonstrate different aspects of this culture.

The Continuity and Relationship between Meaning and Example in the Tombstone of the Islamic Age of Iran (Case Study of Ram and Stone Lion)

Esmaeel Maroufi Aghdam; Karim Hajizadeh; Reza Rezaloo; Behrouz Afkhami

Volume 14, Issue 3 , October 2022, , Pages 169-194

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2020.286487.142760

Abstract

Tombstones in cemeteries are perhaps one of the most semantically complex human works of art. Tombstones deal with the most important and most painful event in human life, namely death ... Read More

Eco-political interactions between Nishapour and its hinterlands during Sassanian period

Meysam Labbaf-Khaniki

Volume 4, Issue 1 , July 2012, , Pages 175-202

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2012.35381

Abstract

In the face of strategic and geopolitical importance of Nishapur, this city was not much taken into consideration by the archeologists of the historic period. The analysis of the new ... Read More

Early Accounting System during the Chalcolithic Period of Tal-e Mash Karim

Mohammad Hosein Taheri; Alireza Sardari Zarchi

Volume 9, Issue 2 , April 2018, , Pages 123-136

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2018.203598.142276

Abstract

Investigating the accounting systems and their progressive development during the prehistoric period is a critical issue in recognition of human societies, their communication, and ... Read More

An Archaeological Study on Accounting System in Prehistoric Human Societies of the Qazvin Plain: the Case of Tepe Zagheh

Niloufar Moghimi

Volume 7, Issue 1 , March 2015, , Pages 127-146

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2015.56684

Abstract

The study of the circumstances surrounding the development of record-keeping for information purposes, and of what these records looked like, in prehistoric human societies has always ... Read More

Shimashki Potteries of the Saymarreh Valley Based on the Ghale Zinal and Gharatmalghah Findings

Khoda Karam Mazaheri; Bahram Karimi

Volume 6, Issue 1 , September 2014, , Pages 129-148

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2014.52680

Abstract

The goal of this article is to study the Shimashki potteries in the Saymarreh valley. Archaeological surveys conducted in the Saymarreh valley shows that the painted pottery tradition ... Read More

The Origin of Snake Motifs in the Material Culture of Southeastern Iran During Third Millennium B.C: Some Evidences for Making Relationship With Elam and Mesopotamia

Volume 7, Issue 2 , December 2016, , Pages 131-145

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2015.57752

Abstract

The interactions between southeastern sites of Iranian plateau and western sites in Susa and Mesopotamia in the third millennium B.C is one of the most controversial aspects of the ... Read More

A Chronological and Stylistic Re-Appraisal for Kay Kavus Catacomb of Sahneh, Kermanshah Province

Mazdak Shervin

Volume 10, Issue 2 , January 2019, , Pages 139-158

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2019.68535

Abstract

The catacomb of Kay Kavus, located on the Darband highlands to the north of the modern city of Sahneh, has a southwest looking Iwan that originally included a pair of free-standing ... Read More

Archaeological Survey of Qohestan Castles

Firouz Mahjour; Sattar Khaledian

Volume 4, Issue 2 , February 2013, , Pages 141-158

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2013.32124

Abstract

Qoheston is a region in the southeastern Khorasan which includes Kashmar, Tabas, Ferdos, Birjand, Qaen, Torbate Haidarie, Khaf and Taibad cities. This region is surrounded by Sabzevar ... Read More

Iran; Origin of So-Called Kūbācheh Pottery

Firūz Mahjūr

Volume 1, Issue 2 , February 2010, , Pages 143-160

Abstract

The Iranian origin of some pottery was confirmed by discovery of various types known as K?b?cheh, including black, green and colorful pens found in archeological excavations of the ... Read More

The Saki Abad Site at the Choqakhor Pond’s Basin: Evidence of a Chalcolithic Nomadic Settlement in the southern Zagros

Ali Asghar Nouroozi; Mohsen Heydari; Khosro Ahmadi

Volume 5, Issue 1 , December 2013, , Pages 145-164

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2013.35949

Abstract

Sakiabad is one of the most important sites in the Choqakhor pond’s basin which show remains of nomadic settlement in the Chalcolithic period. Salvage excavation was carried out ... Read More

The Impact of Drainage Systems in the Selection of Site locations Case Study: Meymon Abad Sites

Mehran i Magsoud; Seyyed Mohammad Zaman Zadeh; Hassan Fazeli Nashli; Rouhollah Yousefi Zoshk; Samira Chazghe; Hojat Ollah Ahmadpour

Volume 5, Issue 2 , March 2014, , Pages 145-161

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2014.50403

Abstract

Water resources throughout human history have always been an important factor in attracting human settlement. The main purpose of this paper was to investigate what is the role of Shadchay ... Read More

History of Pars During the Arsacid Era Based on the Numismatic Evidence

Yaghoub Mohammadifar; Alireza Khounani

Volume 6, Issue 2 , March 2015, , Pages 149-165

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2015.54180

Abstract

The decentralized structure of the Arsacid Empire brought both positive and negative consequences to the country. Despite all confusions, this particular political trend helped ancient ... Read More

Spatial Analysis and Predictive Modelling Applied to the Archaeological Sites of Bastam Plain, Northeast of Iran

Sharareh Farokhnia

Volume 8, Issue 1 , April 2016, , Pages 151-170

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2016.59500

Abstract

To obtain the site location modeling and patterning archaeological data to extract settlement pattern, GIS spatial analysis methods have been chosen for the study of Bastam plain. By ... Read More

Archaeological Evidence in Timing of Seymarreh Landslide

Khoda Karam Mazaheri

Volume 8, Issue 2 , March 2017, , Pages 151-165

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2017.61774

Abstract

Seymarreh landslide is one of the important natural disasters that happened at east south of Seymarreh valley at Darrehshahr town ship in the past. This landslide has attracted attention ... Read More

Art – Industry of Textile in the Period of Shah Abbas Safavid (978-1038 AH)

Hamid Reza Safakish; forough yazdani

Volume 9, Issue 1 , August 2017, , Pages 151-165

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2017.205927.142288

Abstract

Shah Abbas Safavid period can be known as the golden age of textile industry-art in Iran. During his government, he provided the necessities for growth and development of textile in ... Read More

The Process of Changes in the Post Proto Elamite Sites Based on the Ceramic and Glyptic Arts

tahereh shokri; Morteza Hessari

Volume 11, Issue 1 , May 2019, , Pages 153-166

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2019.71109

Abstract

The large areas of the lands of Proto-Elamite period from the west to the east of Iranian plateau indicates the importance of that period and requires a special attention to the Proto-Elamite ... Read More

Ancient City of Sirjan during 7th-8th Centuries AH Citing Historical Evidence and Pottery Findings

ahmad sohrabi nia; abed taghavi

Volume 11, Issue 2 , October 2019, , Pages 153-169

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2019.73112

Abstract

During the 7th-8th centuries AH, Sirjan was one the most important and valid cities in the Kerman region which was ruled by local states known as Qarakhtaian and Al Mozafar. Not only ... Read More

Chahār Tāqi of Mileh Milegeh, A Fire-temple from the Sassanian Era

Yusef Moradi

Volume 1, Issue 1 , January 2009, , Pages 155-183

Abstract

The newly found chah?r t?qi of Mileh Milehgeh is one of the fire-temples of the Sassanian era that was built, like other fire-temples of that time, with pieces of rock and plaster. ... Read More

Petrographic Study of Islamic potteries of Shahr-e Belgheys, Northern Khorasan Province.

Mahboubeh Abbasabadi Arabi; Yasin sedghi; Seyed Iraj Beheshti; akbar abedi

Volume 10, Issue 1 , August 2018, , Pages 155-167

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2018.215741.142330

Abstract

In the present paper, we have tried to study the mineralogy of ten pieces of the glazed potteries of Islamic era were discovered during a systematic archaeological survey on the Shahr-e ... Read More

From Apavortene to Abivard: Feasibility and Identification of the Early Parthian City of Dara in Northeastern Iran

Seyed Mehdi Mousavinia; Hassan Nami

Volume 15, Issue 2 , December 2023, , Pages 155-166

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2023.356117.143188

Abstract

According to classical texts, Dara stands out as a significant city from the early Parthian era, situated on the eastern fringes of the Parthian Empire. Classical sources have documented ... Read More

Location of Fourfold Fire Temples of Mihr Narseh (A Study of Fire Temples along Bishapour-Ardashir Khorrah Route)

Javad Neyestani; Abbas Namjoo; Mehdi Mousavi KouhPar

Volume 3, Issue 1 , July 2011, , Pages 159-176

Abstract

Based on writing of Tabari as well as other historical researches, Mihr Narseh, Prime Minister of Bahram V (421-439 AD) founded a number of buildings in the province of Ardashir Khorrah. ... Read More

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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