مجله مطالعات باستان شناسی
سال دهم شماره 1 (پیاپی 17، بهار و تابستان 1397)

Economic transformation is one of the most important parts of cultural system and has vital role in transformation of any social entity. For this reason, study of archaeological evolution of industrial spaces will clarify part of an ambiguity in understanding modernization and metamorphosis in social forces of study periods. In order to contribute an answer to this question, this paper studies four industrial buildings (from Qajar and Pahlavid Periods) in an historical context of change in economy of production. The ultimate goal is to specify the implied structure of spaces in the historical context within the new mode of production. The conclusion, here is that the change in space it is also parallel with the change in social structure of work has not a clear-cut equal relation with the latter. The past methods of production were still modifying the methods and processes of work in the modern societies, a modification which might cause the formation of social solidarity in the course of production process.

Mobility is considered as a key factor in realizing all biological dimensions of professional livestock producer communities. This component leads to a dynamism in the behavior and then as a result in the material culture of these societies. Degeneracy of the most cultural related elements can be mentioned as another feature of the material culture of pastoral -nomadic communities. Since architecture is considered as an emblem of human beings hardworking in regard to cultural conformity and environmental adaptation, architectural intangible section of settlements of these communities is the main subject of the current research that it can be more representative of the economic and cultural structures of human societies. The present paper identifies various range of settlements in the mountainous landscapes and discusses the different architectural patterns of a pastoral-nomadic society in a case study based study on the mobility-sedentary model of these settlements and recommends three spatial-temporal, socio-economic and historical-cultural patterns that could be demonstrated how pastoral-nomadic architecture is adapted to the environment and landscape and how socio-economic structure of these societies can display the architectural patterns. Ultimately, some patterns are recommended that it could be used in the ethnoarchaeological studies.

In this research, the bone samples of mommies no. 2, 3, and 5 of Chehrabad salt mine, Zanjan, which have been dated previously by radiocarbon dating method, were dated by fluorine, uranium, and nitrogen (FUN) relative dating method. To identify and measure fluorine, uranium and nitrogen in the samples, UV-Vis spectrophotometer, ICP-MS, and, CHNS and Kjeldahl analytical methods were respectively used. It was cleared that mommy no. 5 was the first one buried, then mommy no. 3, and finally mommy no. 2, where this order is in good agreement with the one obtained previously by radiocarbon absolute dating method. In the next step, the normalization of the data distribution was investigated by SPSS statistical software, and, linear regression, logistic graph, student’s t-test, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the results obtained. The results showed that the results of FUN analysis have direct relationship with radiocarbon dating results. This study showed the high precision and accuracy of FUN relative dating method in archaeological sites, and its good agreement with radiocarbon dating in well-preserved archaeological environments.

The main goal of this paper is study of the internal and external cultural interactions of the Bronze Age sites in the Mazandaran plain and its mountainous areas on the basis of pottery analysis. Plain and painted red and burnished gray and dark wares are two prototypes potteries of the Mazandaran Bronze Age period. We have studied potteries which were gathered from some excavations and surface survey projects carried out in the region through comparing them with other potteries from the neighboring regions. This study has been to identify the parallel production of red and gray potteries and internal and gradual transformation of ceramic technology in the Bronze Age of Mazandaran to assess assertions concerning its eastern or western interactions.

The parthian period in Iran is less known than other historical periods. The information that presents historical and historical geography can be the source of the Parthians in Northeast Iran, especially Khorasan and parts of the Gorgan plain. With the passage of time and changing the governmental centers of this series from the northeastern part of Iran to the Western lands, their arts and cultures have also been transformed, which can only be seen in the remnants of its western state centers. On the other hand, based on limited studies and heterogeneity in Khorasan, this cultural period can be considered completely unknown in this area. Based on archaeological investigations of the Mashhad plain, the Ismail-Abad Tappeh has been identified with surface materials belonging to the Parthian period. In the present research, it is attempted to reconstruct the Kashafrud River basin's parchment traditions, based on the typological studies and comparative studies, which can somehow clarify the cultures of the Khorasan region, as well as the basis of the relative syntax of this period in the region. The results of the research indicate that there are several forms and types of pottery that, due to the origin and initial formation of the dynasty in this area, are borrowed to some extent from the ancient traditions of the previous period (Iron period, the culture of the so-called Yaz) and have classes Local is also known as other well-known traditions in the central and western parts of Iran.

The Mausoleum of Mir-e-Zobeir, in the village of Sharif Abad in Sirjan, has beautiful decorative embellishments, such as a mihrab, inscriptions, arcades, squinches, and so on. So far, there has not been a full and comprehensive study of this work and the artist who created it. In this study, due to the similarity of the plastering of this building, in terms of structure, motifs and inscriptions, with the plasterings of Imam-Zade Rabieh-Khatun of Oshtarjan, the Kochemmir Mosque of Natanz and the Kermani Mosque in Torbat-e Jam, which is signed by Kermanian artists, we decided to consider their visual features as the basis of our comparative study, while referring to the mihrab that is the work of the Kermanian artists and achieve our goals, including studying the plaster decoration of the Mir-e-Zobeir tomb in Sirjan and also finding the reasons for its assignment to the Kermanian artists. The data was collected based on field studies, such as visiting the buildings under study and taking pictures of them, referring to written sources. The data obtained from study samples was analyzed by comparative historical method. Therefore, due to the common features of the stucco involving the signing of Kermanian artists with the plasterings of the Mirzebir tomb in Sirjan, as in their structure, decorations of the mihrab pendentive and some arcades with a circle form, the tangent form of this circle form in all the pendentives with their peripheral wall, as well as the motifs, like Cathay flowers and leaves with similar surface decorations, and also the inscriptions, like placing a fixed place for installing inscriptions containing the name of the artist and the date of making the mihrab, compaction and detailing of the belt inscriptions, etc., it can be said with certainty that the decorations of this building are also works of Kermanian artists

The Encircled Male Bust is one of the most mysterious symbols of ancient Iran and as yet, many researchers have commented on its identity and origin. However, the evidences have not been enough to achieve a certain, ultimate result. Some researchers relate the Encircled Bust to the pre-Achaemenid period and believe that its origin goes back to Assyrian art. On the other hand, there is the possibility that the Encircled Bust is a purely Iranian innovative motif (Median or Achaemenian). So far, there have been various hypotheses proposing that the Encircled bust could be Ahura-Mazda, the Moon God, Mithra, Xwarneh, or alive or dead king. Reviewing the history of the Encircled Bust and analyzing previous opinions, this research concludes that there are two candidates for the identification of this motif: 1. King, 2. a god other than Ahura-Mazda. In the first case, the most possible option is the dead king and in the second case the most possible case is the god of Mithra.

Sardasht is a mountainous region consisting of wide valleys in northern Zagros Mountains. In the field studies carried out on the western bank of the Little Zab River, there were found five Pithos cemeteries, as well as archeological sites belonging to different cultures. Unfortunately, all the cemeteries have been disturbed by illegal excavations and many Pithos cemeteries have been destroyed. This paper introduces archaeological evidences on the newly-found Parthian cemeteries in Sardasht, whose characteristics would be comparable with the other known Parthian Pithos cemeteries such as Mingecevir, Germi, Kangavar, Taq-e Bostan, Marivan, Acropolis and Royal City of Susa. Meanwhile, a comparative study on the form of the pithos and the other findings indicates a close resemblance between pithos cemeteries of Sardasht with Germi and Taq-e Bostan cemeteries. Considering the comparisons made between the two cemeteries and the Pithos cemeteries in Sardasht, one may claim that Sardasht cemeteries could be dated back to the first and the second centuries BC.

In the present paper, we have tried to study the mineralogy of ten pieces of the glazed potteries of Islamic era were discovered during a systematic archaeological survey on the Shahr-e Belgheys (Esfarāyen). For better understanding of potteries inside structural characteristics Petrographic thin sections and microscopic polarization were prepared. In the all petrographic sections composition of microcrystals were similar and only one piece (code 216) has represented a heterogeneous texture, but in terms of mineralogy all samples were shared a similar component indicating that the potteries would have been made from the same clay with local origin. Pottery sample (code 216) with a different geological composition may be assumed to have been a piece of a vessel was imported to the area

The paper concerns with an investigation of beginnings and evolution of female figures on the cylinder seals of ancient Susiana plain during the middle of 4th millennium up to the end of 2nd millennium B.C. The female figures on the cylinder seals considered according to archaeological contexts and situations as independent variable according to which the visual qualities of them has been tested. Assuming an existential co-relation between archaeological situations and the modes of female figures, it is suggested that by transforming the first, the latter would be transformed actively as well. For discovering the meanings entangled with female figures on ancient Susiana cylinder seals, the enactive semiotics is applied. Accordingly, female figures on the cylinder seals and sealings are classified and described in terms of their spatiotemporal contexts. The major groups are female-related a, female-related b, crafting scenes, collective scenes and ritual scenes. The paper based on descriptive-analytical classification of data according to iconographic attributes, based on a theoretic examination of related archaeological evidence. The results show that womanity on-the cylinder seals have always been a dynamic phenomenon, depending on its historical and archaeological status.

Considering Tepe Ismailabad and Cheshmeali sequences, identifying the architectural levels as well as the length of continuation of this culture in the mound, provides the most accurate information on the changes and the technological, artistic, social, economic and ritual developments which took place in the area. The goal is to measure the process of transformation on the basis of pottery data The alteration of pottery, partly due to the evolution and inner growth of cultural developments over time, and the other part comes about due to cultural and economic links with distant and nearer societies. In this article, every effort has been made to understand these changes in the evolution of the pottery and its exact course. In the statistical analyzes of the motifs, the form, using computer databases, revealed that the pots of Tepe Ismailabad had undergone an evolutionary process. In the middle classes, like the progress and tangible architectural changes, there has also been a period of splendid production of pottery and artistic flourishing

Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari province witnesses a long period of human occupations. It is due to for the geography and environmental factors such as its location on the highly mountainous regions as well as the existence of permanent water resources, small plains, deep valleys and the presence of tribal and nomadic roads. One of these mountainous regions is the Laran County, which is in fact a relatively long valley with smaller suburbs. This section includes the southern aquiferous of Zayandeh-Rud Basin and its branches and the eastern portion of the Karoon River Basin. This region is perhaps one of the few areas of the country where no major archaeological activities have been performed yet. Considering the geographical location and environmental capabilities of the area, carrying out an archaeological survey with the aim of understanding the location of the region in the archaeological studies in Zagros, identifying the factors affecting to the formation, continuity, expansion and disruption of its settlements, and assessing the history of human life developments in the region is necessary. Accordingly, the Laran County was systematic surveyed in 2010. Overall, 210 archaeological sites from the Neolithic period to the contemporary era were identified and recorded. The remains discovered include sites, hills, caves and shelters, cemeteries, bridges, mosques and shrine. In total, 4 settlements from the Neolithic period, 20 settlements of various periods of Chalcolithic, 6 settlements from the Bronze Age 32 sites of the Iron and Achaemenid period, 60 sites from the Parthian and Sassanian periods and 111 ancient sites of the Islamic period were identified. Most of the settlements in this area are located at low altitude and their surface findings have been very poor. Due to the location and morphology of these sites, as well as the studies of the remains of the living nomadic peoples, it seems that most of them are used seasonally. This article is intended to present the preliminary results of this survey work.

In terms of synchronic studies, the Late Chalcolithi period is characterized by Sialk IV1 cultural horizon at on the northern edge of the central desert. The final feature of proto-literate period known by the titles of Uruk and the Proto-Elamite characterized by the sudden disappearance of painted pottery of Sialk III6-7 and emergence of simple and coarse pottery of Uruk tradition. MeymanatAbad is an important site for study the Sialk IV1. Meymanatabad Tepe (N 3928141.46 and S 515322.47, AMSL: 1053.96 m) is located in southwest of Tehran, surrounded by two shallow hills of Northern and Southern ones. In general, a complete sequence of late chalcolithic was identified at this Tepe based on stratigraphic excavations. Stratigraphic excavation and presenting its chronological table help us to illuminate new information of the mid and late fourth millennium especially late chalcolithic in the frame of Sialk III6-7 and Sialk IV1. Considering the fact that the two mounds were settled along the chronological sequences, this report had done to present the Operation at the northern mound and relied upon on pottery analysis.