Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran
2 M.A, in Archaeology, Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
Abstract
The Posht-e Forudgah Malyer mound, located on the Malayer Plain, stands among the notable sites representing semi-nomadic communities with a subsistence economy based on pastoralism during the Late Neolithic in the Central Zagros. In this period, the consolidation of agricultural and herding practices led to the expansion and diversification of tools crafted from raw stone and, in particular, from animal remains (bone). The durability of animal bones owing to qualities such as flexibility, workability, relative strength, and ready availability played a significant role in the daily life and subsistence of Neolithic societies. This study examines a limited number of bone tools, varying in size, morphology, and function, recovered from the Posht-e Forudgah site, through a descriptive-analytical and comparative approach, juxtaposing them with comparable assemblages from other prominent sites in the Central Zagros. The first research question asks: What morphological and functional characteristics do the bone tools from Posht-e Forudgah possess? The second addresses: Given their structural features, what roles did these tools play in the daily life of nomadic or semi-nomadic communities, and for what specific purposes were they employed? The final question explores: Is there structural and functional affinity between these tools and those from other contemporaneous and horizon-sharing sites? The objectives of this research include analyzing the morphological features, investigating the technological ingenuity of the toolmakers, and assessing probable functions supported by experimental archaeological studies. The findings reveal that the tools are predominantly conical-bodied, pointed, and polished, with evident traces of wear indicative of repeated use.
Keywords
Main Subjects
)