Journal of Archaeological Studies

Hierarchical or Transegalitarian? Societies of the Transitional Chalcolithic Period on the North-Central Plateau of Iran

Hassan Fazeli nashli; Roger Matthews

Volume 12, Issue 4 , May 2021, , Pages 165-192

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2021.320058.142994

Abstract

Tracking the emergence of political authority and social hierarchy in the archaeological record has been one of the major challenges addressed by archaeologists in the past fifty years ... Read More

Archaeological Survey of Potteries in the Site of Nachir Khanloq of the Ray

Firooz Mahjoor; Mohmmad Ebrahimi-Niya; Hossein Sedighiyan

Volume 3, Issue 2 , February 2012, , Pages 173-192

Abstract

With at least 11 hectares site locating on Fashafooyeh from Rey Town, the archaic area of Nachir Khanloq is one of the important regions from Islamic period that has been less noticed ... Read More

The Study of Middle Chalcolithic Pottery in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari by Using Petrographic and ICP-OES Analysis

Fatemeh Hajinoroozi; Mahmood Heydarian; Alireza Khosrowzadeh

Volume 13, Issue 2 , September 2021, , Pages 175-198

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2019.290969.142795

Abstract

The work has tried to study the structural propinquity of Middle Chalcolithic potteries in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari, which, in terms of appearance, are very similar to those of Khuzestan ... Read More The work has tried to study the structural propinquity of Middle Chalcolithic potteries in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari, which, in terms of appearance, are very similar to those of Khuzestan and Fars, by using laboratory studies. The pottery with well- firing was made in the color range of buff, cream, buff-green, light green and less frequently orange wares. Characteristic of these ceramics is the paste which tends to be buff or its different shades. Sand and fine white particles were used as temper. The painted type is seen in buff, creamy or greenish creamy. The designs generally include geometric motifs represented mainly by parallel bands and lines, undulating lines, hanging triangles, checkerboard patterns, ladders and dot motifs. For the provenance of these types of pottery, the use of laboratory methods seemed necessary to find out whether this pottery is native or has entered to area by the nomads. We can largely determine the interactions of the communities on the Iranian plateau during the Middle Chalcolithic. For this purpose, it employs a combination of field, library and laboratory methods. 32 pieces of pottery, collected from the surface of the Middle Chalcolithic sites of Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari, Khuzestan and Fars, were analyzed by performing petrographic and ICP-OES analysis. After the analysis and multiplicity compering between Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari samples and similar structural samples, it was concluded that specimens of Khuzestan and Fars are naturally produced in the same regions as the origin of the Susa and Bakun pottery, respectively. But the samples of Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari have been produced in itself, the Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari areas, despite the apparent technical similarities with the neighboring regions. In fact, the production of pottery, is made by the influence of neighboring cultures, but, this effect was due to the transferring of potters to the area or the transferring of the technology of making pottery due to the nomad movements

In Search of the Message of Srōš: Investigation of the Deity Srōš and his Iconography During the Sasanian Period

Rahele Koulabadi; Seyed Mehdi Mousavi Kouhpar; Morteza Ataie

Volume 14, Issue 2 , September 2022, , Pages 181-197

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2022.338945.143094

Abstract

Srōš is a great Zoroastrian diviniy in the Avesta and Middle Persian texts. He functioned as a warrior and a fighter against evil, a high priest, and one of the judges of the ... Read More

Analysis of the Mortar of Early Islamic Era on Tomb Towers and Castles of Eastern Mazandaran by XRD Method

shahin mahyar; Bahman Firuzmandy Shirehjini; Hayedeh Khamseh

Volume 13, Issue 1 , July 2021, , Pages 189-209

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2019.269379.142641

Abstract

After the political collapse of the Sassanid Empire, a kind of national resistance against the Arabs came into being. Tabaristan was one of those areas that the invading tribes did ... Read More After the political collapse of the Sassanid Empire, a kind of national resistance against the Arabs came into being. Tabaristan was one of those areas that the invading tribes did not have a good chance of reaching due to its special geographical location. Inscriptions in the Pahlavi language indicates that until the fourth century AH in some areas of Tabaristan, this language was trusted and can be a sign of a cultural resistance of the people of this land against the Arab invasion. According to this, The hypothesis of this research is that the study of mortar of the remaining buildings related to the early Islamic period and its comparison with the Sassanid period mortar can show the evolution of the mortar structure up to several centuries after the collapse of the previous system of government. The selection of Mazandaran as the spatial territory of this research is for the existence of three tomb towers (Figure1,2) that were built in the fourth century AH and have two common elements, which are the structure of brick and mortar with Kufic and Pahlavi inscriptions. Apart from these towers which are located in the east of present-day Mazandaran, there are many castles (Table2) in these areas that a comparative study of their mortar structure can be helpful in achieving the goal of this research. The purpose of this study is to find the answer to the question whether after the fall of the Sassanid Empire and the disruption of the long-standing political order of Iran, there has been a change in the technology of mortar production and how long and in which parts of Iran this can be done. We assume that the land of Tabaristan, as mentioned before, can be a good place to seek this technical transformation. The laboratory method selected for the study is called XRD analysis method. In the case of mortars and mineral powders, the XRD method is a reliable method. The XRD method is also effective for different granulations, as all the minerals in the mortar show an X-ray scattering pattern that is easily detectable in phase detection software. If you need quantitative analysis of mortar, you should use complementary methods of elemental analysis such as "SEM" or even XRF method, which is not the purpose of this study; This is because the same quantitative standard was not used to make mortar in different geographical areas, and only the method of construction was the same over time, which changed over time, depending on the needs of the architects. The hardening of the mortar and its adhesiveness depend on the reabsorption of the initial crystallization water of the raw mortar. Therefore, the use of any organic matter, whether plant material, or food additives such as egg white or egg yolk, etc., has no effect on the chemical structure of the mortar and does not help it to harden and stick. As a result, the use of organic matter detection methods such as "Chromatography", UV and IR spectroscopy, etc. will not be effective in this study. According to the analysis (Table3), it can be said that in general, the mortar of all three tomb towers, like most Sassanid structures, is a mortar of gypsum. Among the mortar samples of the studied castles in East Mazandaran (Table4), the predominant phase with the composition of "gypsum" has been identified only in the samples of "Hammam Kojoor Castle", "Varazan Noor Castle" and "Kanglo Castle". Also in all the samples in which the "gypsum" composition forms the leading phase, we encounter the "dolomite" or "calcite" phase together with the "quartz" phases with different crystal shapes, which are reminiscent of the same structure of Sassanid mortars. Copper-based sulfur compounds from natural copper ores and Aluminum silicate compounds in some samples are also due to natural impurities in the raw ore. Due to the phase diagrams and the number of phase adaptations, it is not possible to confirm the manual addition of sand or clay to the gypsum mortar in these samples. The results of XRD studies by the author on samples of raw gypsum (Table5), clay and sand stones (Table6) indicate that at least throughout the Sassanid era, the predominant mortar used in the construction of castles, palaces and Fire temples was gypsum mortar, which according to special heating conditions, the composition of calcite remains in the mortar and this has caused the stability of this mortar. But due to the fall of the empire, still in the early Islamic period, we see the use of the same gypsum mortar in the eastern regions of Mazandaran. Considering the date of construction of Sassanid tombs and castles such as "Kanglo Castle", and the similarity of mortar composition of all these samples, it can be concluded that the method of processing, heating and baking gypsum has not changed from the Sassanid period to at least 400 years later in Mazandaran. It seems that the structure of the mortar, in order to reach the next more resistant mortars, goes through a transitional period, the evidence of which can be found in the mortar used in the three tombs of the fourth century AH in East Mazandaran.

GIS and Fuzzy Logic in the Management of Cultural Resources; Presenting the Predictive Model of Chalcolithic Sites in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari

Mahdi Alirezazadeh Alirezazadeh; Mahmood Heydarian; Alireza Khosrowzadeh

Volume 12, Issue 3 , December 2020, , Pages 193-216

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2020.269316.142640

Abstract

Archaeologists have identified and recorded only some of the innumerable archaeological sites, while thousands of sites are destroyed each year to make way for ongoing land development. ... Read More Archaeologists have identified and recorded only some of the innumerable archaeological sites, while thousands of sites are destroyed each year to make way for ongoing land development. One way to help us understand and protect these sites is to create Predictive models. It is obvious that when it comes to modeling, in fact, with Reductionist approaches, it is an attempt to simulate a phenomenon that has occurred in very distant times. However, predictive models are tools that can help archaeologists in many cases. This research tries to introduce the most suitable locations for the formation of the Chalcolithic settlements of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari whit ArcMap software and based on utilizing the relationship between ancient settlements and landscapes, investigating the role of factors affecting these settlements and predictive models. To achieve this, at first, 75 Chalcolithic sites in this area were surveyed relative to the environmental variables of altitude from the sea level, slope percent, distance from the water resources, vegetation, and soil texture class. Then using fuzzy logic analysis in GIS, the most suitable places for the existence of Chalcolithic sites were identified. Finally, after analyzing the situation of the spatial distribution of the sites concerning the factors mentioned above, and examining the accuracy of the proposed model based on using 15 control sites, proved that this model has come up well from the forecast of the most suitable locations for the formation of the Chalcolithic settlements of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari. In addition to saving time and money, such models can help to better understand the environmental potentials and factors influencing the formation of prehistoric sites. It is very clear that in archeological surveys, a process similar to modeling is subconsciously formed in the mind of the survey team so that after a few days of fieldwork in a particular landscape, the survey team subconsciously understands in which part of the environment the "possibility" of the site is more and in which parts it is less. It should be noted that environmental factors affecting ancient settlements are diverse and abundant. But some of them can be selected as the most important factors. It can never involve all the influencing factors in modeling. The nature of modeling takes advantage of this reductionist perspective. In the meantime, to provide a predictive model for Chalcolithic sites of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, 75 Chalcolithic sites in the region are used. These sites have been identified in archaeological surveys in the region. However, from the environmental variables, five variables of Altitude, Percentage of Land Slope, Distance from the Waterway, Vegetation, and Soil Texture Class were selected. Another point involved in selecting variables is that they do not change much over time. The way it works is that these five variables are added information layers in the ArcMap software. Then the geographical UTM of the desired sites will be added to each of these layers separately. It is easy to determine the distribution of the Chalcolithic sites of the region concerning these layers. These distributions will be presented in the form of diagrams. Here the required information is extracted from 75 sites. This information extracted in the next step forms the basis for the production of “Fuzzy” layers. These fuzzy layers are made with the help of the extracted data of the previous step and by selecting the desired Fuzzy Functions. Finally, by overlay the five fuzzy layers produced, a prediction model is presented for the Chalcolithic sites of the area. The questions that arise here are how ArcMap software can help to better understand environmental factors on ancient settlements? What are the advantages of fuzzy logic modeling? Are such proposed models effective in practice or are they purely theoretical? How accurate is this model and where are the position of important sites and regional indicators in this model? It should be noted that ArcMap software has many capabilities. Among other things, it can easily provide researchers with a view of an area with the help of a digital elevation model (DEM). Using DEM, the location of the sites to environmental factors can be determined. Suppose you have identified a large number of sites, with the help of this software you can easily and with a few commands to determine what distribution the sites have taken with rivers and other factors. These are just a few of the many features of ArcMap software. Using this software, different layers can be analyzed and models can be presented. One of the advantages of the fuzzy prediction model for researchers is that it provides infinite continuous values for the possibility of having a site in a landscape. That is, based on the input information, it can determine the possibility of a site in a landscape as a continuous spectrum (from zero to one). Therefore, the study area can be divided into very desirable, desirable, moderate, etc. in terms of the possibility of the existence of an ancient site. This capability is due to the continuous quantification of fuzzy logic to each of these environmental factors. Also, the prediction model presented in this method is testable. That is, if a model is presented based on the number of sites, it can be tested by several other sites. It can even be determined in the model where the position of the index sites of the region is and what number this model considers for the geographical location of those sites. In fuzzy logic modeling, the performance of fuzzy functions plays a key role. The proposed model can only provide a near-realistic explanation if these functions are used correctly. For example, it is very obvious that in the analysis of variables of altitude and percentage of land slope, different fuzzy functions should be used. As the following theoretical studies will show, the percentage of slope changes compared to altitude changes are more decisive in determining the location of the site. That is, if a few percent is added to the slope, this factor moves to the critical point, while the altitude variable is not so sensitive. That is, in this particular example, the fuzzy function for the slope of the land must be more sensitive than the fuzzy function for the altitude variable. Therefore, it is necessary to model each of the variables with the most appropriate fuzzy function available. That is, the sensitivity of the variable is in good agreement with the sensitivity of the fuzzy function. Considering all these cases, a fuzzy prediction model was presented for the location of Chalcolithic sites of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari. In this model, it was determined what distribution the sites of the region have adopted concerning the mentioned five variables. The desired geography was determined for the possibility of the existence of Chalcolithic sites in this area. In this model, the entire surface of the area was presented as a map, which is colored with a range of black (zero) to white (one). White areas are desirable places for the existence of Chalcolithic sites in the region. However, the black dots indicate that the possibility of a site in those areas is very low. Significant sites of the region, such as Choghate Eskandari, Tape Jamalo, Koganak, Aloni, Tape Afghan, Gerde Chelehgah, and the like, are in white dots in this model. Also, the fuzzy value of these areas can be determined with great accuracy, as shown in the table in this text. Therefore, by using these models, it is possible to determine the desired landscape for placing the Chalcolithic site in practice, not just on paper. While the importance of environmental factors involved in this modeling can be seen. This modeling can save time and money. Also, the reasons for the formation of sites in different landscapes can be examined, and vice versa, why the distribution and existence of sites in such parts of the study area are so low.

A Survey of Origin and Production of the PPN Shell Beads from Ali Kosh, Deh Luran Plain

Hafez Ghaderi; Hojjat Darabi

Volume 13, Issue 3 , September 2021, , Pages 193-210

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2020.298646.142856

Abstract

During Neolithic time, increasing knowledge and various interactions paved the ground for the new experiments and products as well as spread of commodities and different ideas. Across ... Read More During Neolithic time, increasing knowledge and various interactions paved the ground for the new experiments and products as well as spread of commodities and different ideas. Across the Near East, Neolithic archaeology has mostly focused on the beginning of domestication and sedentary life. Intensive interaction and exchange between societies, however, is amongst outcomes of Neolithization process that resulted in diffusion of some materials such as obsidian. To date, most of the researchers have taken the issue of long-distance contact in the light of geographical diffusion of obsidian, while various materials and commodities were exchanged via wide networks. In this regard, objects made of seashells are of particular importance. As a result of recent excavation at Ali Kosh, a great number of different beads of shell and stone was found...along with seated burials dated to the second half of the 8th millennium BC. Tiny disc-shaped samples constitute the most common beads in the assemblage. They were previously known as stone beads. However, our recent examination shows that they are mostly made of a kind of bivalve sea shell known as Spondylus sp. It seems that such beads were produced on the Pesian Gulf shores, as the closest habitat of the shell, and then were transported or exchanged as finished goods. As evidenced by the recent stratigraphy and human isotopic analysis inhabitants of Ali Kosh had a high level of mobility. This highlights the role of interaction and exchange networks through which beads were diffused across lowlands of southwestern Iran. Accordingly, the site yielded remains of 18 levels indicating subsequent short-term occupations. Furthermore, as by the isotopic analysis, some of the buried individuals seem to have emigrated from shorelines to the site. This highlights the role of interaction and exchange networks through which beads were diffused across lowlands of southwestern Iran. Prevalence of shell beads at Ali Kosh reminds us that obsidian was not the only main exchanged material in the early Neolithic. The main focus of the present article is investigation of production and origin of oyster beads from the pre-pottery Neolithic levels at Ali Kosh, Deh Luran Plain

Position of the Jubara Qquarter in Historical Changes and its Influence on the Zone of Isfaha

Shahbaz Nouri Fesharaki; Mohsen Javeri; Mohammad Mortezayi

Volume 14, Issue 3 , October 2022, , Pages 195-218

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2020.284264.142737

Abstract

Esfahan is one of the cities that, despite its ups and downs, retains part of its historic texture and is relatively healthy. Two factors have contributed to the maintenance of the ... Read More

An archeoseismology approach for identifying historical earthquakes in Sialk Kashan, Iran

Masoud Mojarrab; Hossain Me’marian; Mahdi Zare’

Volume 4, Issue 1 , July 2012, , Pages 203-220

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2012.35382

Abstract

Historical earthquakes play a notable role in engineering seismology. The historical Kashan-Sialk region, 3 Km south of Kashan, was surveyed in the viewpoint of historical earthquakes ... Read More

Bronze Age Settlement Patterns in the Silakhor Plain

Abbas moghaddam; abbas Nouri

Volume 9, Issue 2 , April 2018, , Pages 137-155

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2018.211247.142308

Abstract

The Silakhor Plain is one of the key plains in the eastern part of Central Zagros that its suitable environment made a significant base for human habitants since prehistoric time. This ... Read More

Archaeological Investigation of Göyce Qala: An Urartuian Castle in Maragheh Plain, Northwestern Iran

Hossein Naseri Som’eh; Bahman Firouzmandi; Mohsen Sa’dati

Volume 7, Issue 1 , March 2015, , Pages 147-165

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2015.56685

Abstract

According to the inscriptions the eastern and southern shores of Lake Urmia were occupied by Urartuian Empire in 9th century B.C. There have been evidences such as the inscribed documents ... Read More

An Archaeological Study on the Burial Tomb of Ghorban Tower in Hamadan

Reza Nazari Arshad; Mahmoud Tavosi; Sosan Bayani; Javad Neistani

Volume 6, Issue 1 , September 2014, , Pages 149-162

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2014.52681

Abstract

Ghorban Tower as an architectural monument is one of the outstanding resting- place of Islamic era in Hamadan city which has not been studied properly. Previous studies on the Tower ... Read More

Geoarchaeology of Prehistoric Settlements Using Micromorphology Methods (The case study: Meimanatabad Cluster)

Mehran Maghsoudi; Seyed Mohammad Zamanzadeh; asghar navidfar; Rohollah Yosefi Zoshk; Hojatollah Ahmadpour

Volume 7, Issue 2 , December 2016, , Pages 149-164

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2015.57753

Abstract

The ancient hills are the human’s close and far activities sense. These places may be the transit camp survivors or ruins towns or villages. This paper studies the archaeology ... Read More

The staircase of ruined palace plan rectification and documentation of the Artaxerxes III

Afshin Yazdani

Volume 4, Issue 2 , February 2013, , Pages 159-178

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2013.32125

Abstract

It was constructed a palace, at 4th cent B.C, at the summit of Persepolis with a broad portico and staircase before "Hadish" courtyard that has not been remained except parts of the ... Read More

Strontium Isotope Ratio (87Sr/86Sr) To Determine Human Skeletons Origins From The Ancient Cemeteries, Case study: An Iron Age Cemetery of Gohar Tepe

Fahime Sheikhshoaee; kamal aldin niknami

Volume 10, Issue 2 , January 2019, , Pages 159-170

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2019.68536

Abstract

The isotopic analysis solves many important issues in archeology and anthropology including the reconstruction of past diets, tracing the footsteps of the ancient migrations and recognition ... Read More

Archeological Studies on Northern Karūn Basin (Chahārmahāl-o-Bakhtiyārī Province

Ali-Asghar Nowrūzi

Volume 1, Issue 2 , February 2010, , Pages 161-175

Abstract

Chah?rmah?l-o-Bakhtiy?r? Province has an area of some one percent of the area of Iran and is situated in the northern basin of Karun river, which is one of the most vital flows of the ... Read More

Chemical Analysis of Tepe Zaghe Anthropogenic Soils to Identify Particular Activity Areas

Kamal Aldin * Niknami; Iraj Rezaee

Volume 5, Issue 2 , March 2014, , Pages 163-182

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2014.50404

Abstract

Archaeological investigations on the soil of archaeological sites indicates that human settlement and residence in a particular area, may lead to enrichment of certain elements such ... Read More

Archaeometrical Study of Achaemenid Glazed Bricks Found from Tall-e-Ajori Excavation in Persepolis

Soodabeh Yousefnejad; Reza Vahidzadeh; Mohammad Hasan Talebian

Volume 5, Issue 1 , December 2013, , Pages 165-179

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2013.35950

Abstract

Achaemenid glazed bricks of archaeological excavation of Tall-e-Ajori in Persepolis city were studied by multiple instrumental analysis methods such as XRF, XRD, SEM-EDS, ICP ... Read More

A Comparative Study on the Urbanization Periods of the Mehran Plain Based on the Pottery Finds from Chogha Ahowan

Parisa Nekouei; Hassan Fazeli Nashli; Ardeshir Javanmard Zadeh

Volume 6, Issue 2 , March 2015, , Pages 167-184

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2015.54181

Abstract

Mehran Plain is located in the cultural region of South West Iran. Studying the geographic location of this region in relation to the formation of early states is important. The cultural ... Read More

Typological Study and Comparative Chronology of the Pottery Vessels from Tepe Giyan in Nihavand: The Assemblage of Moghadam Museum of University of Tehran

Niloufar Moghimi

Volume 8, Issue 2 , March 2017, , Pages 167-188

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2017.61775

Abstract

Tepe Giyan, which situated in Nihavand city, is one the most important and the first excavated sites in the cultural-geographical zone of Central Zagros. Excavations in this site had ... Read More

Studying the Ancient Metallurgy of Qazvin Plain Based on the Metal Samples Discovered from The Iron Age II Graves of Sagzabad Cemetery

Talhe Ghodousiyan; Ahad Samadi; Hasan Talai

Volume 9, Issue 1 , August 2017, , Pages 167-187

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2017.64011

Abstract

Ancient metallurgy is one of the technological processes were seen from discovered natural native copper in Tappeh Zagheh (6th millennium B.C.). It was continued progressively in Tappeh ... Read More

New Uruk Findings in NW Iran; Hasanlu VIII -VII and the Lack of Kura-Araxes Evidence in Southern Parts of the Lake Urmia Region

Akbar Abedi; Reza Heidari; salah salimi

Volume 11, Issue 1 , May 2019, , Pages 167-183

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2019.71110

Abstract

During 2007 archaeological survey of Little Zab River in Sardasht district in NW Iran, 6 typical Uruk (Uruk Related) sites have been brought to light. One of the important one is Tepe ... Read More

An Archaeological Analysis of the Existing Shell Vessels (Libation Shell) in the Archaeological Contexts of the Iranian Plateau in the Third to the First Millennium B.C.

Parisa Naseri; Abbas Motarjem; David S. Reese

Volume 15, Issue 2 , December 2023, , Pages 167-183

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2023.342641.143113

Abstract

Sea shells are natural-biological objects. They are embedded in geological layers in the form of fossils, but also, to find in archaeological deposits as a result of human activities. ... Read More Sea shells are natural-biological objects. They are embedded in geological layers in the form of fossils, but also, to find in archaeological deposits as a result of human activities. Archaeologists can use the provenance of shells in the functional analysis of ancient sites in terms of social archeology and prehistoric trading activities. Aarcheological excavations in several sites of the Iranian Plateau have shown that from the 3rd third millennium B.C. onwards, finds of of sea shells (e.g. Lambis, Dentalium, etc.) rapidely increased. Such shells were for instance discovered from ritual cemetery contexts such as Shahdad, Tepe Hesar, Kale Nisar cemeteries or Bani Surma. These objects are mainly used as natural or polished shells. In some cases, they served as a raw material for making all kinds of beads, buttons, and other ornamental objects.. The main question is to understand the relationship between the use of seashells and archaeological context, and also, their role in Bronze Age ritual life. In this article, the descriptive, analytical method has been used in the biological recognition of all types of shells. This method is also used based on similar studies on this issue in Mesopotamia's archeology of the Sumerian-Akkadian period. The distribution of recognizable species shows that these objects are concentrated in the settlements from south to southeast of Iran in the coastal strip of the Persian Gulf, and from the Oman Sea to the Zagros intermountain valleys, as well as in the northwest and northeast of Iran. The biological origin can be placed in the northern shores of the Oman Sea to the Gulf of Kutch on the northern coast of the Indian Ocean. It seems that with the growth and development of urbanization in Southwest Asia and especially the development of sea trade, oysters have been traded as valuable goods and other prestige goods. The importance of the shell findings is more than the value of the shells themselves because they were used as sacred goods in religious affairs. Analysis of the fields where the shells were discovered is more related to cemeteries and temples as sacred spaces. Also, the significant presence of Lambis shells for the production of specific ritual bowls, placed together with bronze axes in graves, can be seen as the reflection of a patriarchic tradition in the social-political organisiation of the third and second millennia B.C. Despite many excavations and the discovery of many samples of these types of shells, no furthergoing investigation on these specific objects was undertaken so far. This desideratum reveals more valuable findings in the archeology of the Iranian plateau. Therefore, one of this article's final goals is to focus more on analyzing the context of the discovery of seashells in future Excavation

Womanity as Represnted on-the-Cylinder Seals An Enactive Semiotics of Female Visualisation in Ancient Susiana (3500-1000 B.C.)

Vahid Askarpour

Volume 10, Issue 1 , August 2018, , Pages 169-187

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2018.215872.142331

Abstract

The paper concerns with an investigation of beginnings and evolution of female figures on the cylinder seals of ancient Susiana plain during the middle of 4th millennium up to the end ... Read More

Archaeological Excavation at Taj Amir Cemetery, Yasouj

Ebrahim Ghezelbash; Mohammad Javad Jafari; Nowrooz Rajabi; Korosh Mohammadkhani

Volume 8, Issue 1 , April 2016, , Pages 171-190

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2016.59501

Abstract

Taj Amir Cemetery is located in southern side of Dena Mountain and east of Yasouj city in Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad Province. The cemetery was discovered in 2009 during the construction ... 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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