Iranian Journal of Archaeological Studies
Volume:3 Issue: 1, Winter and Spring 2013

We discuss a figured pin from Shahdad, previously well known but published with a partial and unsatisfactory drawing.  More detailed observations and a new, more realistic recording of this important artifact reconsider its stylistic and iconographic links with the imagery of the Halil Rud civilization and the eastern Iranian Plateau in general, and, at its opposite cultural poles, with Mesopotamia and the Indus valley. The  subject, probably a supernatural anthropomorph flanked by two reptiles in heraldic position, is discussed in light of the art of the Halil Rud civilization, and the traditionally negative mythological associations of the “Man with serpents” in ancient Iranian literary tradition and lore.

The Present study carried out on the bone samples collected from Roopkund Lake in Chamoli Garhwal, Uttarakhand, which is located 5029 meters from main sea level in between Nanda Ghunghti and Trishuli peak. This historical site belongs to the 9th century A.D.  All the samples selected for the study were dried in room temperature, as well as in hot air ovens at 32 degree Celsius. The Cleaning, pretreatment and digestion process of all faunal remains was done through established scientific methods.  Chemical analysis i.e. concentration of different elements such as  calcium, strontium, barium, magnesium and zinc as well as isotopic ratios of Carbon and Nitrogen was estimated with the help of Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy (ICP) and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The results obtained from the chemical analysis are significant. On the basis of concentration of different elements and ratios of Nitrogen and Carbon isotopes, the dietary habits of the peoples buried in the Roopkund Lake have been identified, although it differs from sample to sample and person to person. Besides this, the results are also significantly helpful for knowing the preservation status of faunal remains in Roopkund Lake. Finally this study also indicated the potentiality of chemical analysis for reconstructing the palaeodiet behaviour and preservation status of bone remains.

Aveh archaeological site, which has prepared the necessary background for the archaeological studiesafter having been identified and registered, is located in Saveh Plain, and it is one of the less-known sitesin the Iranian Central Plateau. The chronological sequence of this site extends from prehistoric periodstill Timurid time. It is worth mentioning that here, except for the Islamic settlements, neither prehistoricnor historic settlements are of big proportions. Our subject settlement developed so much in size over themiddle Islamic centuries reaching its zenith in Ilkhanid period. According to the archeological excavationsconducted by Tarbiat Modares University team at this site, its significant archaeological materials such asceramics have been found and documented. In 684 A.H. the luster tiles were discovered in this area beingthe first particular scientific indicator proving this site is an Ilkhanid one. Through performing numerousfield works, the authors could determine Aveh town’s basic structure including arg (citadel), sharestan(peripheral areas of the city center), and rabaz (outskirts and farmlands which are farther than the mainurban parts of the city/town) which were generally similar to the other royal/ ruling Ilkhanid towns. Onthe other hand, the discovery of potsherds as well as luster tiles in this area showed the artistic and culturalpower of the artists residing here. Through laboratory works and electronic microprobe method, the authorsalso found out that the important particles of the clay in Aveh besides its richness, which both make the soilvery suitable for making luster wares, existed in the area. All the previously-mentioned facts as well as thedecoration, designs, and motifs applied on luster wares make us consider Aveh as a center for making lusterware and producing style . The present study was done using a description - method in addition librarystudies , field and laboratory works.

Although prehistoric periods (especially Chalcolithic) on the western side of the Central Zagros Mountain are fairly known, the Songhor and Koliyaei Plains have not been sufficiently investigated by western  or  Iranian archaeologists. In the course of the recent investigationsduring the 2002 and 2009 field seasons, thirty three chalcolithic sites, of which nine sites  contain Dalma sherds, were identified. The above  nine sites are located close to the water resources and most of them are located in the hill sides where pasture lands are accessible. Small size settlements testify that there have been small sedentary or semi-sedentary villages whose inhabitants could obtain  their requirements by animal husbandry. The present paper aims  to provide valuable information on this culture and examine its probable interaction with its neighboring regions such as Kangavar, Mahidasht, and south of Kurdistan. Keywords: Central Zagros, Songhor and Koliyaei, Chalcolithic period, Dalma tradition, Pottery.

This article deciphers and analyzes a  previously unknown Sassanian mint location represented by the inscription WLČ., based on the analysis of a Middle Persian inscription found in Persepolis, and on the linguistic changes that occurred during the transition to modern Persian. Evidence is presented to show that this previously unknown Sassanian mint designation corresponds to the modern-day city of Borazjan in southwestern Iran. This is one of only a few cases in which the Sassanian recording of  known towns is confirmed through archaeological evidence. Previous efforts to identify mint locations through abbreviated inscriptions and mint marks, have achieved good results. The linguistic analysis of official seals and inscriptions, in which the name of a city is either in the center (in abbreviated form) or along the rim (written in full), allows the identification of some mints.. This article presents a linguistic analysis of a previously unknown mint location designated WLČ.  Based on a Middle Persian inscription found in Persepolis, and the linguistic changes that occurred during the transition to modern Persian, evidence indicates that WLČ designates the modern city of Borazjan.

Delegations of the various satrapies of the Achaemenid Empire are depicted bringing presents to the king on the reliefs of the Apadana in the palace of Persepolis. Among these presents are two which most likely contained gold. One of the members of the Indian delegation carries a pole over his shoulders from which two baskets are hanging filled with two bags each. From the degree of bending of the pole and the size of the bags it can be concluded that the latter contained a granular material with a bulk density of about 6.25 kg/liters. Because of this weight, the material can only have been fine-grained gold, probably the gold “stolen” by the Indians from the Giant Ants to the north of India as reported by Herodotus. The Ethiopian delegation consists of three young boys before the age of puberty. The middle one carries a cylindrical vessel with a volume of about 1.1 litters, equivalent to approximately one choinix, an Attic measure for e.g. grain. It is suggested here that the vessel must have contained something very valuable, most probably granular gold. The choinix would then represent half of the quantity presented by Ethiopian tribes to the king every three years according to Herodotus