Description, Classification and Typology of the Excavated Parthian Pottery from the Second Seasons of Qal’eh-i Yazdigird’s Excavations

Pottery -as the most prominent archaeological material- has a great role in reconstruction of regional and transregional interactions. So identification of the pottery assemblages of each cultural periods is very important. A few archaeological sites related to the Parthian period have been excavated in western Iran. Therefore, due to the lack of enough ceramic collections to identify and distinguish the pottery of this period, recognition of Parthian sites in western Iran encounter with some problems. So, it's necessary to present a precise dated collection of the Parthian pottery in order to have a better understanding of regional changes in this period. One of the most important sites in western Iran is Qal'eh-i Yazdigird, which has been excavated recently. Describing the pottery forms of this region, could be helpful in the regional pottery studies, as well as relative chronology in the Parthian life world. Pottery is the most prominent archaeological material which has a great role in reconstruction of regional and interregional interactions. So, identification of the pottery assemblages of each cultural period is very important to clarify their chronology and their technological significance. So far, few archaeological sites related to the Parthian period have been excavated in western Iran. Therefore, due to the lack of ceramic collections to identify and distinguish the pottery of this period, recognition of Parthian sites in western Iran encounters some problems. So, it is necessary to present a precise dated collection of the Parthian pottery in order to have a better understanding of their regional changes in this period. One of the most important sites in western Iran is Qal’eh-i Yazdigird, which has been excavated recently. Describing the pottery forms of this region could be helpful in the regional pottery studies, as well as for relative chronology in the Parthian world. According to the excavated pottery, three types have been reported, including clinky, glazed and common wares. Comparative studies on the pottery suggest most of them have been made locally, but some are probably from other sites and show cultural-commercial relationships between this site and other contemporary settlements during the Parthian. On the basis of forms and technical characteristics, it seems that the pottery belonging to the late Parthian period can be classified into two types of ordinary pottery and semi-precise ceramics. In addition to the pottery, other archaeological findings, such as building units, are very useful in our study to reconstruct the chronology of site.