Journal of Archaeological Studies

Research Paper

Diachronic Patterns of Lithic Raw Materials From the Middle to Epipaleolithic Periods Based on the Bawa Yawan Rock Shelter, Kermanshah, West-Central Zagros Mountains

Nemat Hariri; Mohsen Ranjbarab; Elham Ghasidian; Saman Heydari

Volume 17, Issue 2 , August 2025, Pages 5-31

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2025.374793.143258

Abstract

The Bawa Yawan rockshelter and cave complex, located in the west-central Zagros region of Iran, stands out as a significant Paleolithic site due to its spanning the three periods of ... Read More

Research Paper

Manufacture and Use of Bone Tools in Neolithic Societies: Bone Tools from the Posht-e Forudgah Malayer Mound

Khalil-Ollah Beik-Mohammadi; Fahimeh Rahmani

Volume 17, Issue 2 , August 2025, Pages 33-65

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2025.400621.143370

Abstract

The Posht-e Forudgah Malayer mound, located on the Malayer Plain in the Central Zagros, represents semi-nomadic communities whose subsistence economy during the Late Neolithic was based ... Read More

Research Paper

Typological and Structural study of Pottery from Tell Aswad, Damascus, Syria: A Proposed Chronology Based on Thermoluminescence/Optically Stimulated Luminescence (TL-OSL) Dating

Naowar Ahmad; Farshid Iravani Ghadim; Ahmad Aliyari; Mohsen Mohammadi Achachluei

Volume 17, Issue 2 , August 2025, Pages 67-95

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2025.396851.143353

Abstract

One of the most significant Neolithic sites in southwestern Syria is Tell Aswad. This site was excavated by DeContenson and Stordeur, and a limited number of pottery sherds were recovered. ... Read More

Research Paper

Bridging the Gap: Godin Tepe and the Origins of Proto-Elamite Communities

Rouhollah Yousefi; Hassan Afshari Salaki; Donya Etemadifar

Volume 17, Issue 2 , August 2025, Pages 97-125

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2025.392835.143343

Abstract

Based on archaeological evidence, during the mid and late fourth millennium BCE, Godin Tepe lacked hallmark Uruk material culture (such as distinctive pottery, specific architecture, ... Read More Based on archaeological evidence, during the mid and late fourth millennium BCE, Godin Tepe lacked hallmark Uruk material culture (such as distinctive pottery, specific architecture, or administrative technologies), and thus cannot be identified as a purely Uruk trading outpost. The discovery of tablets with layouts and structures closely resembling Proto-Elamite texts indicates the existence of a local administrative system linked to the management of highland community resources, integrating Godin Tepe into the wider Proto-Elamite economic network. The complementary functions of pastoral nomadism (livestock products and transport services) and sedentary agriculture (agricultural produce and handicrafts) suggest that Godin Tepe acted as a conduit for regional exchange and a seasonal gathering place for nomadic groups. Findings such as the coexistence of Susa II economic tablets and formative Proto-Elamite types, the presence of pottery from the highlands and the central plateau, and the application of standard Proto-Elamite architecture reinforce the site’s role as a multi-cultural commercial hub and a meeting point for administrative technologies (including economic tablets and sealings). Additionally, storage facilities and large jars underline Godin’s function in warehousing and distribution. Chronologically, the material culture of Godin VI:1 bridges the gap between Susa II and Susa III and documents the initial stage of Proto-Elamite formation (ca. 3500–3200 BCE), marking the transformation from purely numerical tablets to fully developed Proto-Elamite texts. This “Formative Proto-Elamite” phase is defined by administrative innovations, cultural diversity, and expanded regional interaction, occurring in parallel with the ongoing Uruk/Susa II culture. Collectively, the evidence positions Godin Tepe not as a peripheral Uruk outpost, but as an active commercial center for Proto-Elamite pastoral nomads, with a central role in the development of administrative systems.

Research Paper

Stone as Symbol in the Funerary Practice of the Srubnaya-Andronovo Cultural Sphere

Ilshat Bakhshiev

Volume 17, Issue 2 , August 2025, Pages 127-143

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2025.397096.143354

Abstract

This article is devoted to analyzing the role of stone as a symbolic substitute for the body of the deceased in the funerary practices of the Srubnaya-Andronovo cultural circle during ... Read More

Research Paper

Nebuchadnezzar II and the Jews: A Critical Reassessment of Archaeological, Historical, and Religious Narratives

Musallam Al-Rawahneh

Volume 17, Issue 2 , August 2025, Pages 145-165

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2025.394675.143348

Abstract

The figure of Nebuchadnezzar II continues to fascinate scholars precisely because of the striking contradictions in how different sources remember him. While Babylonian records celebrate ... Read More

Research Paper

AMS Radicarbon (C14) Dating of Human Skeletal Remains from the Mersinchal Cemetery, Semnan, Iran

Mohammadreza Nemati; Sahar Bakhtiari

Volume 17, Issue 2 , August 2025, Pages 167-187

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2025.395930.143351

Abstract

Radiocarbon dating is a fundamental method employed in archaeological, historical, and paleographic research to determine the chronological framework of findings. This article discusses ... Read More Radiocarbon dating is a fundamental method employed in archaeological, historical, and paleographic research to determine the chronological framework of findings. This article discusses the results of radiocarbon dating analyses conducted on human remains recovered from six graves excavated during the fourth season of the Mersinchal Archaeological Project. The Mersinchal Cemetery is located in Telajim Village, Mehdi Shahar County, Semnan Province, Iran. Four seasons of archaeological excavations have been conducted at this site, leading to the proposal of a relative dating for the cemetery, attributed to the late first millennium BC, based on the analysis of the findings. This article adopts a research methodology that integrates both fieldwork and laboratory analysis. During the fieldwork phase, burial practices and graves Finds were carefully examined and systematically documented. Human samples were selected for further scientific analysis. In the laboratory phase, six human skeletal samples discovered during the fourth season of excavations at the Mersinchal cemetery were analyzed for absolute dating using radiocarbon (14C) techniques and employing the Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) method. The main purpose of this article is to establish an absolute chronology for the Mersinchal cemetery and answer some fundamental questions, including: To which cultural periods does this cemetery belong? What do burial practices and the associated findings within the graves? And what insights can be gained about their diet? The radiocarbon dating results indicate that this cemetery was used between 409 BC to 51 BCE, corresponding to Achaemenid, Seleucid, and Parthian periods. Interestingly, the burial practices and objects inside the graves remained consistent throughout these periods, showing no significant change over time. The isotopic values of the individuals indicated that their diet, influenced by local agriculture, consisted of both C3 and C4 plants. Animal proteins, including meat and dairy products, were also included in the diet.

Research Paper

Onomastics of Persepolis in Historical Documents and Texts: From the Beginnings to the Qajar Period

Amir Rakee; Goodarz Rashtiani

Volume 17, Issue 2 , August 2025, Pages 189-215

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2025.393407.143344

Abstract

This article investigates the historical evolution of the names attributed to Persepolis, one of Iran’s most prominent archaeological sites. The study addresses a central problem ... Read More

Research Paper

The Sheikh-Makan Monument in Ilam Province, Western Iran: Fire Temple or Water Mill?

Leila Khosravi

Volume 17, Issue 2 , August 2025, Pages 217-235

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2025.392824.143342

Abstract

The Sheikh Makan structure in Ilam Province represents one of the most debated architectural remains from the Sasanian period, consistently drawing scholarly attention and controversy. ... Read More The Sheikh Makan structure in Ilam Province represents one of the most debated architectural remains from the Sasanian period, consistently drawing scholarly attention and controversy. This study employs a systematic methodology to analyze the site’s architectural features, construction techniques, and archaeological context in order to determine its primary function. The rectangular complex comprises a central domed chamber, a vaulted iwan, and integrated hydraulic channels elements characteristic of industrial architecture, particularly watermill infrastructure. Notably, the structure lacks key markers typically associated with Sasanian religious architecture, such as circumambulatory corridors, fire temple, and the canonical north-south sacred orientation. In contrast, the building displays unmistakable industrial features, including flour production mechanisms and milling apparatus. A comparative analysis with established Sasanian religious complexes most notably the Negar Fire Temple and the Espakho Temple reveals significant divergences in spatial organization and intended use. Archaeological evidence, supplemented by ethnoarchaeological data, supports the hypothesis of its prolonged use as a hydraulic mill, indicating the functional adaptation of a Sasanian-era construction during later periods. The site’s strategic location adjacent to defensive structures and historical trade routes further underscores its economic rather than religious significance. Although some scholars, have proposed a sacred function for the site (suggesting it may have served as a fire temple), the present study definitively identifies the structure’s primary role as an industrial facility. It thus offers a paradigmatic example of Sasanian architectural repurposing in the Islamic era. These findings underscore the need for targeted archaeological excavations to resolve existing chronological ambiguities and to trace the developmental trajectory of the building within the broader framework of Iranian architectural history. Ultimately, this research makes a significant contribution to understanding the functional transformation of built environments and the complex interplay between sacred and utilitarian spaces in post-Sasanian Iran.

Research Paper

New Researchs on the Discovery of Sogdian Graves in China

Yuanqi Zhao

Volume 17, Issue 2 , August 2025, Pages 237-265

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2025.383454.143305

Abstract

Sogdiana was one of the oldest city-states in Eastern Iran, and it was located along the ancient Silk Road. According to historical records and archaeological materials, numerous Sogdian ... Read More

Research Paper

Documentation and 3D Modeling of Mountain Castles Using Drone Photogrammetry at the Historic Forg Castle

Fereshte Azarkhordad; Hasan Hashemi Zarajabad

Volume 17, Issue 2 , August 2025, Pages 267-281

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2025.398310.143363

Abstract

Forg Castle is a mountain fortress dating back to the Late Islamic period (from the Afsharid to the Qajar era). Due to its strategic location and unique architecture, the castle has ... Read More

Research Paper

Correlation Between Levallois Core Preparation Techniques in China and Those Found in the Altai and Mongolian Regions

Zheyang Chen; William Davies

Volume 17, Issue 2 , August 2025, Pages 283-315

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2025.400441.143373

Abstract

This study adopts a data-driven framework to investigate regional variation in Levallois core technology, aiming to assess the stability of flaking techniques and the diversity of technological ... Read More This study adopts a data-driven framework to investigate regional variation in Levallois core technology, aiming to assess the stability of flaking techniques and the diversity of technological exchange across Russia, Mongolia, and northern China. Guided by Boëda’s comprehensive typology, cores are first classified into preferential, centripetal, bipolar, and unipolar types, then quantitatively analysed through two-dimensional lithic-image analysis. In Mongolia, preferential and centripetal Levallois sequences are mature and stable: scar-density indices at all sampled sites exceed 60%, and coefficients of variation remain low, demonstrating highly standardised reduction concepts. In contrast, Russian assemblages exhibit pronounced inter-site heterogeneity; centripetal cores from Anui-1 are remarkably consistent, whereas contemporaneous layers at Kara-Bom display wide metrical dispersion. At Shuidonggou in China, the overall technological level is slightly lower, yet Layers 7 and 6 clearly inherit technical traits from underlying Layer 8, implying in-situ continuity rather than abrupt replacement. At Tongtian Cave in western China, cores show markedly lower scar coverage and smaller detached-flake areas, indicating a lower degree of technical mastery than at the more centrally located Shuidonggou site. Russian bipolar Levallois shows limited affinity with Chinese counterparts, whereas centripetal cores from Kara-Tenesh cluster tightly with Shuidonggou Layer 7. Crucially, within single Chinese sites different stratigraphic layers alternately align with Mongolian or Russian traditions, evidencing repeated episodes of introduction, assimilation, and re-innovation. In sum, Levallois technology entered China not through a single corridor but via multiple temporally staggered pathways. Chinese Levallois origins are polygenic, and several dispersal routes likely operated across northern Eurasia. Rather than a unidirectional corridor, the region functioned as a reticulated, continuously interacting technological landscape.

Animal Symbolic Motifs of the Sasanian Seals and Clay Sealings Case Study: Collection of Moghadam Museum of Tehran

Volume 7, Issue 2 , December 2016, , Pages 47-67

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2015.57747

Abstract

Seals and clay sealings are the most important cultural material of Sasanian period. There have been a few seals and bullas of various periods retained in the Moghadam Museum of Tehran. ... Read More

Presentation of 12 Kinds of Stucco Works Used in the Architectural Decoration of the Islamic Period in Iran Based on Technical Properties

Volume 3, Issue 1 , July 2011, , Pages 89-1069

Abstract

According to technical presages, in the preliminary studies, we have found that there are at least 12 different kinds of stucco decorations belonging to the Islamic periods of Iran. ... Read More

A Study on the Parthian Burial Traditions at Veliran Cemetery in Damavand, Iran

Volume 4, Issue 2 , February 2013, , Pages 103-121

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2013.32122

Abstract

Since the ancient times, burial practices have displayed certain characteristics among different Iranian ethnic groups and regions were influenced by the local religious orientations, ... Read More

How Darius Build the Suez Canal? Its Political-Economic Impact in Achaemenid Period

Volume 1, Issue 2 , February 2010, , Pages 177-201

Abstract

If we consider the starting of Achaemenian Empire in 559 BC, the year that Cyrus, the second, came to power and its ending in 332 BC, the year that Iran was conquered by Alexander, ... Read More

The Bathhouse of Haj Mir-Hassan Qazvin, a Bath from Early Qajar Era

Volume 3, Issue 2 , February 2012, , Pages 193-219

Abstract

The public bathhouses are included in buildings as public utilities that have been expanded throughout Islamic realm by arising Islamic religion that cleaning is the preamble for most ... Read More

Research Paper

Survey of the Grave goods of the Sassanid period Northern Iran (metal utensils) from archaeological excavations

soheil ahmadi vastani; Jebrael Nokandeh; mostafa dehpahlavan

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 29 November 2022

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2022.337911.143082

Abstract

The period between the third and sixth centuries AD (Sassanid period) is very important in terms of archeology and the study of cultural changes and transformations of the Iranian plateau. ... Read More

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Research Paper

Recreating the Epic in History; Bahram Chubine's imitation of the legend of Arash Kamangir

ali akbar mesgar; sara okhravi

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 03 April 2024

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2024.373773.143254

Abstract

Historical data and reports have the ability to be matched with mythological and epic content. The emergence of special conditions in history and its similarity with epic or mythological ... Read More

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Research Paper

Reaction to the earthquake: Evidences of the change of the settlement pattern or settlement collapse in Kangavar Plain in the period after Godin III-2

Parvaneh Ahmadtajari; abbas motarjem; Mehdi Zare

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 04 August 2024

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2024.374948.143262

Abstract

Godin Tepe is one of the ancient sites of Iran in the western region of Iran, where the evidence of at least two earthquakes in different periods has been identified in archaeological ... Read More

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Research Paper

The castles of the geographical area of Jovien and Joghatay in the Islamic era; Typology, perspective and social role

Azita Mirzaye; Hamid Fadaii

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 31 August 2024

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2024.373280.143253

Abstract

A castle is one of the types of architecture that has been the guarantor of the security of the human society based in it due to its enclosure. Although providing security is the main ... Read More

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Research Paper

Finding Zoroaster: Feasibility Study of a ConnectionBetween the Iron Age Cultures of South Central Asia and Zoroastrianism

Seyed Mehdi Mousavinia

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 07 October 2024

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2024.379180.143278

Abstract

Zoroaster is one of the most prominent and influential figures in the history of ancient Iran. Despite the importance of comprehending Zoroaster’s life history toward abetter understanding ... Read More

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Research Paper

The Relocation of Hormuz Dar al-Molk to Jarun Island and its impact on the development of The road network in The Northern Hinterland of The Persian Gulf

kazem Omidi; tayebe rahimi; mehran rezai

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 26 January 2025

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2025.382216.143296

Abstract

The relocation of the administrative and political center of the Hormuz Kingdom from coastal Hormuz to Jarun Island was one of the significant events influencing the political and economic ... Read More

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Research Paper

Archaeological Studies on Sgraffito-Type Pottery Production Workshops in Iran (9th–14th Centuries AD): Insights from Archaeological Excavations at the Aghche Rish Site, Northwest Iran

mehdi kazempour; Yadolah Heydari Baba Kamal

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 31 August 2025

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2025.399060.143365

Abstract

For several centuries (9th to 14th AD), Sgraffito-type pottery was widely distributed across a vast region, including Iran, the Caucasus, Anatolia, Eastern Europe, and Transoxiana. ... Read More For several centuries (9th to 14th AD), Sgraffito-type pottery was widely distributed across a vast region, including Iran, the Caucasus, Anatolia, Eastern Europe, and Transoxiana. Based on the typological studies of Grube and Allen, this pottery tradition is classified into five main groups—Simple Sgraffito, Splashed Glazed Sgraffito, Champlevé/Garrus, Agh Kand, and Amol—each named after geographic locations in Iran where examples were first identified. Despite this established classification, our knowledge of the actual production contexts—workshops, kilns, tools, and technological processes—remained speculative, relying mainly on unverified accounts from antique dealers. No systematic archaeological investigations of production sites had previously been undertaken. These gaps raise significant research questions: How did Sgraffito pottery technology develop over a span of five centuries? Which styles represent earlier phases, and which embody the latest technical innovations? To address these questions, I initiated fieldwork in 2015 in the southern part of northwest Iran, a region historically rich in ceramic traditions. Surveys identified more than 20 sites containing substantial Sgraffito pottery remains. Among them, the site of Aghche Rish was selected for excavation, marking the first archaeological project in Iran devoted specifically to uncovering Sgraffito pottery production workshops. Excavations revealed a complex dating from the 9th to 14th centuries AD. Finds included multiple pottery kilns, extensive quantities of Garrus and Agh Kand wares , residential structures, workshop buildings, kiln-support tools such as bars and tripods, glass bracelets, 10th-century coins, tombs, and a historical cemetery. The presence of both domestic and industrial features provides valuable insight into the organization of pottery production and the daily lives of the craftspeople. This article first examines the workshop activities at Aghche Rish, offering rare archaeological evidence of Sgraffito production in Iran, and then presents a detailed typological analysis of the pottery assemblage, contributing to a deeper understanding of its technological and chronological development.

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Research Paper

Identification and Study of the Paved Roads of Mazandaran in the Late Islamic Period

Mahdi Khalili; Seyyed rasool Mosavi haji; Morteza ataie

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 31 August 2025

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2025.397298.143358

Abstract

The province of Mazandaran has played a pivotal role in northern Iran's political, economic, and cultural development due to its unique geography and strategic location. The imposing ... Read More

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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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