Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Staff Member of Cultural Heritage. Archeology Research Institute, Cultural Heritage and Tourism Research Institute, Tehran, Iran
2 2Postdoctoral Researcher in Archaeology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
3 Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Abstract
the Mersinchal Cemetery is not associated with any permanent settlements and is related to nomadic communities. 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. One of the major challenges Currently facing Iranian archaeology is the issue of chronology. 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 (C14). 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 indicated that this cemetery was used between 409 BC to 51 BC, . 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.
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