Archaeological Research on Islamic Pottery from Qal´eh Sang, Old Sirjan (Kerman province, Iran)

Sirjan was one of five districts in Kerman province during the Islamic periods. According to archaeological research and historical sources, the city of Sirjan was located at Qal´eh Sang at the time from the 12th to 15th century AD. During the first season of archaeological excavation besides the identification of architectural remains, a big variety of Islamic ceramics was found which suits for further specialized studies. Questions are concerning the variation of ceramic decorations, the dating of the objects as well as the characteristics of local production at Qal´eh Sang. To answer these questions a descriptive-analytical approach is applied. The goal of these analyses is to give answers about the relative chronology, the role of Qal´eh Sang on cultural interactions with other regions, the zenith and descent of Qal´eh Sang on base of documented pottery finds in comparison with historical sources as well as on the local pottery production during early Islamic times. At Qal´eh Sang many ceramic shards dating from Middle Elamite to Qajar period were documented, but the majority belongs to the time from the 12th to 15th century AD. These ones show similarity to pottery finds from Jiroft, Ghubayra, Kashan, Rey, Farahan, Gorgan, Neyshabour, Belgheys, several sites on the Northern coast of the Persian Gulf as well as Al-Mataf, and Al-Huleylah in U.A.E. Some pieces seems also to be imported from Azerbaijan and Afghanistan or f.e. from China during the Yuan and Ming dynasty as evidenced by fragments of blue and white ware and Celadon. In general, the investigation of the ceramic finds from Qal´eh Sang can be used as a good indicator for the developments of trade contacts with centres along the coasts of the Persian Gulf. Trading contacts between the Persian Gulf and Sirjan have been an important economical branch for the exchange of goods with Central Iran and is also an indicator for the imminent influence on the development of the Southern cities.