Journal of Archaeological Studies

Abstract The Mesolithic period and its transition to the Neolithic period in Western Asia is one of the most important stages of human cultural evolution during which. humans gradually changed their way of life and cultural behavior. After millennia of living as mobile hunter-gatherers, these changes in human lifestyle were so significant that some scientists consider them to have triggered the Anthropocene (Smith and Zeder, 2013). Therefore, the study of the Mesolithic hunter-gatherer way of life and its transformation into a Neolithic society is crucial for investigating the first steps and possible triggers of this fundamental change. A small number of important archaeological sites in the southeastern edge of the Caspian Sea coast provide rich sequences of hunter-gatherers dating from about 15,000 to 10,000 years ago with abundant cultural materials. One of those, Hotu Cave located nearby the modern Iranian city Behshahr, was firstly described by the American anthropologist Carlton Coon in 1949 and then excavated by him in 1951. Due to various reasons, a proper report on this cave was never presented. Our new activities at the site after 70 years aim to establish a secure chronology from the Mesolithic to the Parthian period and to link obvious gaps in the cave sequence to climatic and environmental changes during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene. The new excavation at Hotu Cave is not only useful to contextualize the data from the Coon excavations, but has also helped us to generate additional data to propose a regional chronology from the Mesolithic onwards. In this paper we present not only the current data on the chronology of the cave, but also all the chronological schemes attempted by scholars, which we have brought together. Our project not only includes activities in Hotu Cave, but also carried out excavations in 2022 and 2023 at the two other key sites of the relevant Mesolithic-Neolithic transitional horizon, Kamarband Cave and Komishani Tappe, which lies in front of Komishani Cave. The material culture from the recent excavations is very important in proposing a new model of the transition from the Mesolithic to the Neolithic for the Iranian highlands that goes beyond the Zagros region, which – until now – has been considered an independent core region of early domestication and Neolithization.

Abstract Chogha Golan has previously found a spectacular place in studies of the emergence of early agriculture and sedentary life in western Asia. Earlier brief work by the University of Tübingen in 2009-2010 suggested that Chogha Golan was inhabited between ca. 9700-7600 BC and witnessed a long initial experimentation with food production. However, despite this significant archaeological position, the site was left without further fieldwork until a new stage of excavations was initiated in 2023, aimed at investigating the diverse nature of the long-term resilience of the inhabitants of the Zagros foothills over the course of the transition to the Neolithic. In this regard, the first season of the excavations was carried out in October-November 2023. Accordingly, an 4×8 m area was excavated at the top of the site. As a result, 5 occupational phases were distinguished based on architectural remains within 285 cm of residential sequence yet excavated. However, the virgin soil was not reached, leaving investigation of remaining underlying levels to the next season. This article presents the preliminary results of the 2023 excavations and then contextualizes their significance for a better understanding of the Neolithization process across the Zagros region.

Abstract After 70 years we still have very little knowledge about the Epi-Paleolithic, Pre-pottery Neolithic (PPN), and Pottery Neolithic (PN) periods in the eastern Mazandaran plains. Unreliable excavation methods, the application of personal taste in collecting data, and uncertain analyses are among the issues we face in Coon`s excavations at the Hotu and Kamarband caves. Additionally, there are no detailed reports of pottery from the caves by Coon. In the following years, only general information and a few pictures and drawings by archaeologists were published, which, although helpful, weren’t enough. In the last two decades, despite the excavations and field surveys that have been carried out, there have been no attempts to reinterpret the Caspian Neolithic Software (the CNS pottery type). Touq Tappeh and Tappeh Valiki, located in the Neka Plain, are two CNS sites that yielded over 2500 sherds belonging to the PN. Analysis of the pottery assemblage suggests a need to revise our assumptions about the CNS type. The diversity in production and decoration reflects household production, although they show a specific pattern at regional and inter-regional levels. It has come to our attention that while some researchers have referred to this pottery as the Djeitun/Chakhmaq style, new absolute dates tell a different story. The sherds presented in this paper can be categorized into two groups - regional and inter-regional - with the majority belonging to the CNS type. The dating of Touq Tappeh suggests that the PN layers belong to 6250-5800 BC. Meanwhile, dating from Hotu indicates that the PN began around 6400 BC, and at Tappeh Valiki, it started around 6600 BC. Consequently, the CNS culture in the eastern region of Mazandaran is now considered the oldest Pottery Neolithic culture in northeastern Iran.

Abstract The Orzuiyeh Plain stands as a crucial region for understanding prehistoric, particularly Chalcolithic, settlements in southwestern Kerman Province. While sites like Gaz Tavileh, Morad Abad XII, and Vakil Abad have seen limited archaeological exploration, they have yielded insufficient data on the sequence of Chalcolithic occupation. To address this gap, a stratigraphic investigation of Tepe Morad Abad VIII, a prominent Chalcolithic mound in the area, was undertaken to establish a relative chronology and delve deeper into Chalcolithic life and pottery traditions. The mound’s substantial depth and scattered pottery fragments suggested a lengthy occupation spanning multiple cultural periods, likely associated with the Yahya Pottery Culture. Through meticulous field and library research, a detailed analysis of pottery artifacts revealed a clear sequence of Chalcolithic occupation across 60 distinct layers. Of the 2413 recovered sherds, 918 underwent in-depth study, including drawing and classification. The findings indicate continuous habitation at Tepe Morad Abad VIII throughout Yahya Periods VI, VC, VB, and VA, spanning from the early to late Chalcolithic era, with an estimated timeframe of 5600 to 4200 BCE.

Abstract The Gorgan Plain in Golestan Province is one of the most archaeologically rich regions in Iran. Given its favorable climate, the Gorgan Plain has been an attractive location for settlement by agricultural villagers for millennia. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the region attracted the attention of European travelers and archaeologists, who were fascinated by the Great Gorgan Wall, the remains of medieval cities, as well as the hundreds of ancient mounds that dot the plain. Despite over one hundred years of archaeological survey in the Gorgan Plain, however, we still know very little about historical trends in settlement before the Iron Age. Through the digital integration of five previously published surveys of the Gorgan Plain and a novel  remote survey methodology using Google Earth, it has been possible for the first time to perform a basic characterization of the late prehistoric settlement patterns of the Gorgan Plain.

Abstract The archaeological site of Sarcham is situated in the southwestern region (Hawraman Region) of Kurdistan Province in western Iran. It was excavated as part of the Darian Dam Archaeological Salvage Project (DDASP) in 2015, revealing a multi-period site with cultural deposits spanning four distinct archaeological periods. This paper aims to present the findings from the excavation season, highlighting the significance of each period. The cultural sequence of site includes the Middle Chalcolithic (Se Gabi phase), Middle Bronze Age, Late Bronze Age, and the Parthian/Sassanid era. The Middle Chalcolithic pottery discovered at Sarcham bears resemblance to that of the Seh Gabi period in the Central Zagros region. Similarly, the Middle Bronze Age pottery assemblage exhibits similarities with those found in the Central Zagros (late phases of Godin III), Northwestern Iran, and Anatolia. This excavation marks the first discovery of a Middle Bronze Age/Late Bronze Age site in Kurdistan Province. Furthermore, our research indicates that certain grey ware previously attributed to the Iron Age I period actually originated in the Bronze Age. The uppermost layer of the site, albeit somewhat disturbed, yielded pottery fragments dating to the Parthian/Sassanid period. This study sheds new light on the archaeological significance of Sarcham and contributes to the understanding cultural history of the region.

Abstract In the last century, a group of Bronze Age composite stone female figurines, known as “Bactrian princesses”, appeared in the antique market, and were suspected to come from Afghanistan. Later, during scientific archaeological excavations, similar female figurines were discovered in southern Turkmenistan and northeastern Iran, corresponding to the Late Namazga V period. There are many discussions about the origin of this composite stone female figurine. Traditionally, it is believed that they have clear Elamite elements and were influenced by the culture of the southern Iranian plateau. From the Neolithic to the Bronze Age in Central Asia, archaeological remains show close connections with the populations on the Iranian plateau. Clay female statues were used both in Central Asia and Iran for a long time, and based on them, statue tradition with local cultural characteristics was relatively independently developed. The new composite stone female statues in Namazga V were different from the early Central Asia traditions, which were made of clay and in a schematized shape. The decorations on the surface of these composite stone figurines have a great similarity with the images of elites from the Old Elamite Dynasty. Also, the stone materials, mainly chlorites and marbles, can be traced to southeastern Iran. The appearance of these composite stone figurines shows a change that happened in Southern Central Asia society, corresponding to the transition that people moved from Kopet Dag Piedmont to the Murghab Delta. The integration of Central Asian local culture and Iranian culture was ideologically reflected in these figurines.

Abstract Kani Shaie is an important archaeological site in the Sulaymaniyah Province of Iraqi Kurdistan. Sitting in the center of the Bazyan Valley, it is located on a major communication axis that connects northern Mesopotamia via Kirkuk with the central Zagros Mountains of western Iran. Its main occupation spans the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age, from ca. 6000 to 2000 BCE. Later occupation of the Late Bronze Age, Neo-Assyrian period, and the Hellenistic-Parthian period is also well-represented in the lower mounded area of the site. Throughout these millennia, Kani Shaie was a major focus of settlement within the Bazyan Valley. While never reaching more than 3ha in size, occupation in each period attests to the settlement’s function as a local center that was connected within the exchange networks of southwest Asia. As such, Kani Shaie is of particular importance to connect the archaeology of western Iran with the Mesopotamian world. In this article, we present the excavation results of the 2024 season when two impressive architectural complexes were investigated. The first dating to the beginning of the Early Bronze Age, ca. 3000 BCE, in the aftermath of the collapse of the Uruk exchange network. The second belonging to the Hellenistic-Parthian period and likely connected to the southern expansion of the Adiabene kingdom.

Abstract The investigation and characterization of the Kura-Araxes culture is a key focus of archaeological research in this field. One of the enigmatic aspects of the Kura-Araxes culture is the role of religion, rituals, and associated ritual evidence among its people. This aspect holds particular significance not due to its spiritual or supernatural dimensions, but rather because of the limited, scarce, and largely unknown nature of the cultural evidence. Archaeological findings related to this facet of Kura-Araxes culture, such as figurines, hearths, and possibly architectural elements, have been uncovered across the entire expanse of this culture’s territory, from northwest Iran to eastern Anatolia and the South Caucasus. One of the primary objectives of this research is to explore the social identity and ritual beliefs of Kura-Araxes communities, and to identify the symbols, elements, and religious signs of the Kura-Araxes culture. This investigation is based on a combination of library-documentary studies and first-hand archaeological data from excavations in Iran and the broader Kura-Araxes cultural sphere. This research also aims to address the following questions and uncertainties: What insights do archaeological evidence and documents provide regarding the ritual-religious beliefs of Kura-Araxes communities? Additionally, what are the key differences and similarities in the religious beliefs of Kura-Araxes communities across Iran, the Caucasus, and other regions within the Kura-Araxes cultural sphere? More broadly, can we definitively discuss belief systems, religion, rituals, and associated sacred spaces in relation to these communities? The forthcoming study will focus on answering these questions and addressing the stated objectives to clarify some of these ambiguities. The results indicate that while the Kura-Araxes culture and its people did not have dedicated religious spaces or distinct places for their rituals (based on current findings and evidence), it is important to consider two factors: first, the temporal span (3500–2400/2500 BCE) and the continuity of this culture; and second, the contemporary cultures, such as Uruk, which were characterized by established religious practices. Additionally, religious and ritual practices were prevalent among Bronze Age cultures. Therefore, it is unlikely that the Kura-Araxes communities were devoid of religion and rituals. However, rather than a sedentary and fixed culture, if we accept the hypothesis of the Kura-Araxes culture being semi-nomadic pastoral, then their ritual artifacts, such as figurines and hearths, were likely small and portable. Consequently, these artifacts reveal traces of their ritual beliefs, allowing us to consider ritualistic characteristics as part of this culture.

Abstract One of the most important potteries used in Persian Gulf (Middle East) maritime trade with a large part of the ancient world, including the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka, and finally the country of Thailand. (Suriname ship cargo) earthenware jar called Torpedo-jar or storage jar. Although this type of pottery was dated by most researchers to Sassanian era, this type was used in trade and burial from the Parthian period to early Islamic era or 3rd century BC to 9th century AD (Kennet, 2004: 85). The most important feature of these types of jars is the coating of bitumen on its inner surface. So far, archaeologists have not succeeded in finding a kiln for the production of this type of pottery, so it is very important to know the place of pottery production and the bitumen mine used in them.  In this article, using the method of geochemical laboratory studies and a comparative study, the bitumen samples taken from the torpedo jars from the south and southwest of Iran were investigated. In this research, 15 pieces of pottery with tar coating belonging to the archaeological excavations of Siraf and Mahruban ports on the coast of the Persian Gulf (south of Iran), related to the Sassanid and Islamic period, and samples from Shush and Shushtra region from the Parthian and Sassanid periods were selected.The sample of the Susa area is from the Iran National Museum and belongs to the archaeological excavations of Susa region, the sample of Ivan-i Karkheh is related to the Dezful region, and the sample of the Dastova area is also related to the Shushtar region in Khuzestan province, southwest of Iran. All bitumen samples were analyzed geochemically with the aim of determining the origin of bitumen in its specialized laboratories in Europe and America. The main result of the research shows the use of bitumen from the bitumen springs of Khuzestan, Lorestan, Ilam and Kermanshah provinces in the studied pottery (Fig.1).

Abstract Tomb Street (Khiaban-Mazar) is described as a complex where the tombs are located on either side of a passageway. “Khiaban-e Herat” (Herat Street) is also a cemetery with tombs along its main axis, and it is one of the most unique and ancient examples of Mazar Street in Khorasan. This article aims to examine the process of early developments in Khiaban-Mazar-e Herat, study the evolution of Herat’s urban development during the Mongol-Ilkhanid era and compare it with the developments in Tabriz, the capital of Ilkhanid empire, analyze the similarities and differences between the developments in the two cities and finally evaluate the impacts that these urban changes have had on the  expansion process of Khiaban-Mazar-e Herat. The research has been done by the historical-analytical method. This research shows that urban development in Herat was remarkably similar to Tabriz; in Herat, just like in Tabriz, the Mongols were extending the suburbs of the city and establishing commercial uses and aristocratic palace gardens. The process of expansion of Herat’s suburbs was so widespread that Herat’s ruler, imitating the “Ghazani Wall” in Tabriz, built a massive wall around Herat to encompass all of its new suburbs. With the construction of this wall, Herat’s Mazar Street was divided into two parts, North and South, and the south part of the wall within the boundary of the city was separated from the cemetery and led to various uses in Herat.

Abstract The Tabriz mint is one of the most significant mints from the Ilkhanid period. Since the Hulegu Khan era, Tabriz was officially recognised as the political centre of Ilkhanid rule. This decision, whether ideal or flawed, attracted an influx of artists, scholars, calligraphers, craftsmen, and architects from the vast territories of the Ilkhanid Empire—from Transoxiana to Asia Minor, the plains of Qipchaq and the Transcaucasus to the Mediterranean shores, and from the Persian Gulf to the Strait of Oman. During this time, Tabriz became a major financial, political, scientific, military, and social hub. Historical sources document that Tabriz reached a remarkable level of growth and distinction, with visitors—including tourists, foreign emissaries, and domestic ambassadors—providing vivid descriptions of the city in their accounts. The choice to establish Tabriz as the Ilkhanid political centre appears to have significantly boosted its importance as one of the largest and most prominent mints in Iran during this era, as evidenced by numismatic records. Tabriz’s role in minting underwent substantial changes, shaped by shifts across various historical periods, particularly its financial structure. The study of coins from this mint offers valuable insights into some obscure aspects of Iranian history during the Ilkhanid rule. This article examines Tabriz, one of the most influential mints of the Ilkhanid period, by highlighting its unique characteristics, features, and innovations. This paper addresses the question of how coins were minted in Tabriz in comparison to those from other Iranian mints and seeks to understand the factors behind Tabriz’s preeminence. Preliminary research suggests that Tabriz, as the Ilkhanid political centre, possessed the necessary conditions to become a major financial institution under the Ilkhanid administration. Following the progression of the Ilkhanid administration from nomadism to a more advanced and sophisticated one, the same development appeared in Tabriz. evolved correspondingly. Attracted a vast array of experts, talented artists, scientists, and craftsmen; fostering a dynamic professional environment that contributed to other Iranian cities in various areas of development. By the latter part of Ilkhanid rule in Iran, particularly during the reigns of Öljeitü and Abu Sa’id, Tabriz became a notable centre of cultural, economic, financial, architectural, artistic, and intellectual achievements. This included advancements in book illumination, painting, and coinage, largely for skilled and talented workers drawn from across the empire. This thesis, therefore, focuses on the unique characteristics of coins minted in Tabriz and explores the reasons for and implications of the Tabriz mint’s superiority over other mints within the Ilkhanid Empire.