مجله مطالعات باستان شناسی پارسه
پیاپی 7 (بهار 1398)

The Neolithic process and the extension of the Neolithic lifestyle have been one of the issues raised in recent decades in archeology, and archaeologists have come up with a variety of approaches to explain why and how this event occurred in human life. The Neolithic period can be considered an important milestone in the history and life of mankind. Archaeological studies show that several regions in the Near East experienced Neolithization, and Azerbaijan was a regional marginal area that expanded and reflected the Neolithic centers. In the late Neolithic stage, for the first, non-indigenous groups settled in the plains around Lake Urmia as the center of the area and then this center became the center spread to the outskirts in over time. Despite extensive research carried out in various parts of northwestern Iran, there is little and disproportionate evidence of the Neolithic period in the eastern part of Azerbaijan, and the settlements of the late Neolithic period in the eastern part of Azerbaijan are far less well known and there is a fundamental questions relation with the archaeological situation, chronology, the nature of culture and regional and trans-regional interactions in the eastern parts of Lake Urmia during this period. Since this area is considered to be the bridge between East and West in the northwest of Iran, it can play an important role in defining the sixth millennium BC. Today, there are new archaeological evidence of the existence of the late Neolithic settlements in the area, which is also in the horizon with Haji-Firuz. In the present article, it is attempted to present a new interpretation of the late Neolithic period in the region based on descriptive-analytical methods based on the archaeological findings obtained from Horand region in comparison with the traces of Haji-Firuz and also by reviewing previous studies.

The previous studies on the Elamite pottery generally focused on the form and shape of the artifacts. From the perspective of fabric, very few studies have explored the Elamite pottery. The pottery type studied in this paper is orange (ranging from light brown to red) composed of a tempering material, sand and white particles. The core of this no ornamented, wheel-built pottery is black. In an investigation to outline the scope and boundaries of Haft Tapeh ancient city, a number of the Elamite pottery samples were recovered in certain layers dating back to the late ancient Elam (Sukalmah) and the Middle Elamite near the adobe structures of Haft Tapeh. Haft Tapeh refers to a structure belonging to the Elamite Era located in Khuzestan and south of Susa. One major finding in this city is a tomb from the Middle Elamite Era. Since 1965, this building has been investigated by Negahban and later by Mofidi-Nasr abadi. Thus, Haft Tapeh can undoubtedly be considered a city belonging to the Elamite Era. In this light, the pottery type in this geographical scope can be particularly useful for comparison of similar artifacts found in Isfahan and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, both of which could be associated with the Elamite Era. This study focused on Asgaran and Saba as two regions in Isfahan and central part of Ardal in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari. A total of 10 pottery samples were randomly selected from these regions. They were then compared in terms of fabric and composition against 4 counterparts found in archaeological layers of Haft Tapeh belonging to the Elamite Era. It should be noted that the two-color body in the pottery sample is not at all associated with the type of compounds or curing temperature, Since the two parts are identical in terms of composition. Moreover, it seems that the main reason for the two-color body lies in the curing conditions and techniques (oxidation and reduction) inside the furnace, leading to two different colors. Apart from that, there is a kind of orientation in the components of pottery samples, potentially indicating they were built on wheels.

Among the ancient motifs from Iran and Mesopotamia, some pictures showing special shaped beakers can be seen but unfortunately no explicit comment has been made on the nature and function of these forms by researchers. Recently, 7 pottery beakers have been found in a Mannaean cemetery (Mala Mcha) and and Iron Age grave (Kani Koter) in northwestern Iran and authors are believed that their shape and possible function are compatible with some of these ancient motifs dating back from the third millennium B.C. to the Achaemenid period. A glazed beaker from Tepe Hasanlu which belongs to Iron Age II also has the same characteristics as the Mala Mcha and Kani Koter examples. Considering the symbolic meaning of the Lotus flower in ancient cultures, as well as their form and decoration, it seems that the Mala Mcha, Kani Koter and Hasanlu pottery beakers have a special application. Previously some researchers in some cases have interpreted these motifs as a Barsom (Barsam) or flower (often lotus). The authors propose that these objects that can be seen on ancient reliefs or ivories are simple or painted beakers equivalent to the clay beakers unearthed in these sites. Probably this type of beaker was not used as normal container, but it seems to have been utilized by high-level people during special events and banquets perhaps for drinking prized liquids. In addition, it seems that the samples of the Mala Mcha, Kani Koter and Hasanlu in terms of shape and possible there function, are comparable with some of the patterns of the motifs discussed in this paper. The grave of Kani Koter is rich and belonged to a warrior of high status. Also the graves of Mala Mcha which had pottery beakers were richer than other graves, and it seems that the users of them have superior position over others. The glazed beaker of Hasanlu was as well as obtained from a room with local and Mesopotamian specimens in a special room. In ancient motifs, users of these objects have a superior social position than others. In this paper, in addition to comparing the shape of the beakers of Mala Mcha, Kani Koter and Hasanlu with the remaining ancient motifs, Chromatography experiments were carried out which unfortunately, did not receive any laboratory data on its application.

Stones are important and durable material in construction building; objects and make cultural artifact on the prehistory until now. Objects are very important between the entire artifacts that made by stone, Easy stuff catches for artist due to improve making stone object in the different region. One of the most important stone in the prehistoric of Iran that is good material for carving and applies in life was chlorite. A best attribute for decorated due to this metamorphism stone used in all of Iran history so after 5000 years, this time some workshop in Mashhad city is Functioning and must be support these for improve industrials and identity this handicraft in contemporary, Hence in this paper by Analytical and technical approach based on comparative studies to examine the species, extent , methods of making and decorating stone chlorite in ancient times (archeological areas in the South East of Iran) and contemporary (Mashhad carving stone workshops) will be paid. The result of this research show that we need rehabilitation this industrial decoration by bankroll of the history background of carving chlorite stone and also try to find a new technology for improve quantity and quality making in Kerman province and Mashhad city According to the chlorite stone sources in contemporary. Meanwhile, Iran’s stone-cutting art with its various uses in buildings and monuments over the thousands of years of flourishing its artists have created remarkable masterpieces of various types of stone. One of the most prominent stones in the pre-history of Iran due to its functional and decorative nature and has been used for thousands of years, is the chlorite which is under the main branches of the Metamorphic rocks. In the ancient world, chlorite stones were used as fillings for necklaces, stamps, religious sculptures, burners, bowls, pots, jars and other kitchen utensils, molds for molding copper and bronze, and in some cases has been used as Pottery fillers.

To balance the needs and actual or potential facilities, mankind has tried along with time. Water, ground, soil, road is from environmental factors forming a living place while one or more factors may play more important role depending on some situations. The culture is created due to people interactions and is progressing longitudinally and affects human activities. Ignoring the environment makes the debate impossible on cultural and behavioral conditions. Culture creates sites and phenomena around the spaces and places. Architecture is one of the main sites of culture in environment. Natural characteristics in the region of Ghahestan made the Ismailia – in the Islamic middle centuries - to establish defensive buildings due to cultural and religious conditions. The results made them to be in accordance with the political and natural conditions of the time. In spite of some environmental limitations, they provided their need in the environment and caused some sort of cultural and environmental accordance in the region. This study introduces the Kouh Zardan castle of Zirkouh city in South Khorasan. This castle has spent two different residence eras. The castle was used as a defensive place at the first era may be known as Saljooghi. Ilkhani’s were the second residents.The main question of the research is, what role has the natural geography of the area played in the castle of Castle Zardan Mountain architecture? The castle of Zardan Mountain has been built with regard to the environmental conditions of the area and the impact of the environment in the castle architecture space is not only in the use of native materials, but other factors such as climate, altitude, distance and proximity to water resources, geological structure and ... has played a key role in the formation of the castle. This paper is descriptive and analytical and its data has been through library resources and field surveys.

Ujan covers about 90 hectare area, where locates 5 Km away from modern Bostan Abad. Earlier construction of the urban center dates to 4-6 AH centuries that coincides to Seljuqs era. It developed during 7 and 8 AH centuries and reached to summit during middle Ilkhanid to Safavid period. It collapsed and destroyed during Qajar period. Here, there is an attempt to study effective elements in formation of Ujan and its consequent function, using descriptive-analytic view and historic research method, based on archaeological-environmental landscape. Finally, it is involved in reasons of collapse of the city. Bibliographic and field studies indicate that construction of the city was for midway positioning. In addition, present paper presents subjects about political and social history, architectural remains, urbanization, cultural remains, and different districts of the city including cemetery and administrative center.

Rayen and Bam citadels, dating back to ancient civilization from the Sassanid period, has a favorable commercial position due to its location at the intersection of the North to the South of Khorasan and Govashir of Kerman to Bandar Abbas and the west to east of Fars to Baluchistan. Its geography and position on the route of the above-mentioned communication way has always been threatened and invaded by various ethnic groups and governments; the Kerman province during the Islamic period has been the base of riot clashes with the government forces, and construction of many of the Kermans’ citadels and castles had a security and defense function. Two citadels of the Rayen and Bam, from the Sassanid to Qajar era, have played an important role in the life of the communities and the preservation of security in the Kerman area. The main question is, what are the similarities and differences of the defense structures of these citadels from a security perspective? The present study want to identify the security defenses of the two Rayen and Bam citadel in Kerman province and achieve structural defensive patterns and ways to connect, share and differentiate them. The information of this paper was collected through library (documentary) methods, visual observation and comparison of the findings and the research was conducted using an adaptive-analytical method. The presence of a fence, ruler, watchdog, as well as crossed stands and machicolation indicate the military and security function of the two citadels. One can hypothesize that structure of the Rayen defense fortifications is influenced by the Bam Citadel. The results of this study indicate that due to the location of these citadels in the communication paths of Khorasan, Sistan, the center of Iran, these citadels and defense fortifications have been formed in these two regions.

the star tile Apart from beauty and eye-catching, is noteworthy for yet another reason, adorning the tiles with poems by high-profile poets that have doubled the beauty of these tiles. Paying attention to these inscriptions can in some cases be a guide to literary scholars, as the tile recordings sometimes differ from literary manuscripts, The difference most often seen in multiple tiles, probably each produced in a different workshop, is the same, and may indicate the prevalence of that recording during tile production. On the other hand, in some cases, because of the tile year on which the tile was written, the attribution of some poems to a particular poet can be ruled out because of the precedence of producing these tiles over the year of the poet’s birth. It should be noted, however, that in some cases there are differences due to individual scribe error, which require careful use of the inscriptions on these tiles. Because the authors of these tiles were also not error free. The main question of this study is: Can golden tile inscriptions be considered as a basic version? And if so, to what extent can these inscriptions be considered important? The main hypothesis can be put forward as follows: Since tiles are manufactured in a wide range and in different centers, in cases where all the tiles indicate a particular form of verse recordings as opposed to literary manuscripts, tile inscriptions may be given more value. And these tiles are used for critical correction, but for poems that only represent one tile, it should be used more cautiously and deductive correction, in which case only tile inscriptions can be considered as a complement to manuscripts. The research method was based on reading the inscriptions on the tiles and then comparing the Rubaiyat and verses inscribed on the tiles with the recorded form in the literary manuscript..

In the Islamic era, the mosque is known as an architectural index and is considered a sacred and blessed place for the Muslims and has a special status and importance. The architecture of the mosque was gradually embellished with decorations, and over the time, it was filled with special concepts that are full of semantic and decorative elements in Islamic architecture that have extremely benefited from the teachings of Qur’an the Muslim Bible. This diamond engraving has been executed with various Quran, prayer, historical and divine names, and sometimes with the techniques of tiling, brickwork and craftsmanship. The analysis of the contents of the inscriptions used in Goharshad and Hakim mosque and also the exploration of the differences and similarities of the inscriptions of the two mosques are the purposes of this article. Which is in response to the following questions: What are the implications in the Qur’an inscriptions of the Hakim Mosque of Isfahan and Goharshad of Mashhad? What is the difference and similarities between the two mosque inscriptions? The study shows that in the inscriptions of Goharshad mosque, Thuluth script is most used among other scripts, and the Cathay bearings, Scrollwork arabesque bearings motifs coincided with the decoration of the building. In Hakim Mosque of Isfahan, the index script in the inscription is Cufic, Sotto script), and most of the inscriptions are on the same script, and also Thuluth script as well as Nasta’liq script are used in the inscription of this collection. Tobeh, Asra ,Jom ‘eh, Dahr are among the common chapters between these two collections. Although in the Goharshad Mosque of Mashhad and Hakim mosque of Isfahan share similarities in the structure and content of the inscriptions, the decorative enrichment and Quran inscriptions of Goharshad Mosque are more than Hakim Mosque. The research method in this study is descriptive content analysis and collecting the necessary information was through library studies, observation of collected works and fieldwork.

Rocky sanctuaries are the most valuable works of Iranian architecture, that have been formed over a long period of time, and due to the continuity of traditions or slowness of the transformation process, their exact date is difficult. Among them “Kohulu Mechid” is the rocky sanctuary in the city of Maragheh, East Azarbaijan, which, no coherent studies have been conducted around it yet. This research seeks to provide dates and more acceptable practices for this sanctuary, through a comparative study and a review of some of the details, though deep and accurate research needs archaeological speculation and science. However, according to available evidence and based on the present research, this rocky structure was created during the Ilkhanid period and the nature of its usage, religious sanctuary , is proposed for non-Islamic religions, including Buddhists and Christianity, that is called mosque with religious reforms in later periods and its user modification.