Journal of Sistan and Baluchistan Studies
Volume:3 Issue: 2, Dec 2023

The Sistan sedimentary plain has been the habitat of various human communities in the past due to its favorable environmental conditions. Therefore, there are many ancient hills and historical monuments in this area. Although this area is one of the important and rich ancient areas in Eastern Iran, there are still many issues and uncertainties about the history of this area, and each of the existing works can answer many of these questions. Therefore, protecting such works against natural and human destructive factors is inevitable. The archaeological survey of the Zahedan-Zabol gas transmission route was carried out to identify the ancient sites on this route and protect them against any damage and destruction. Along the route designed to install the gas pipe, there are many ancient sites and important historical centers such as Shileh, Ramroud, Roud-Biaban, and Shahr-i Sokhta. This survey was conducted with an intensive and step-by-step method to identify and investigate all the sites of this important cultural area and thereby protect them from possible future dangers. In sum, 38 ancient sites and mounds were identified, and surface movable and immovable works, belonging to prehistoric, historical, and Islamic eras, were collected and documented. These cultural materials included 322 pieces of pottery and 157 index objects, all of which were categorized and studied. In this article, the authors try to provide a brief report of this study along with a description of the findings and results.

The review takes into consideration the importance of chemistry in the study of the human past, mainly, for the authentication and the provenience determination as well as the characterization of archaeological artifacts. Archaeological chemistry is an unbreakable linkage between archaeology and chemistry and has rapidly grown in the last few decades. The use of chemistry in archaeology can help archaeologists provide valuable information for the learning of archaeological sites and artifacts. Over the years, new chemical techniques have been improved, and the vital role of chemists in evaluating the development of technology and other activities of ancient civilizations has been increased. In addition to discovering the past, chemists should consider the physicochemical and analytical degradation procedures for preserving the heritage of humanity for our children and the next generations to enjoy, benefit, and learn from the legacy of the past. Furthermore, here, some commonly used analytical techniques such as neutron activation analysis (NAA), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) are briefly described regarding their use for archaeological artifacts. We hope that this article will be helpful for students who are new to the field, in addition to interesting productive argument among experienced researchers.

Archaeological surveys are the first phase in archaeological studies. Identifying the historical works in a geographical area, in addition to knowing the historical-cultural evolutions of that area is also very important from the administrative and executive point of view in the face of construction plans, and urban and rural development. Having sufficient knowledge of the historical sites of a particular geographical area increases the possibility of preserving historical monuments in the face of construction projects. Kerman, the country's largest province, is located in the southeast of Iran. This province is considered one of the main historical-cultural centers and one of the richest archaeological regions of Iran. Due to the climatic and environmental diversity and the diversity of plant, animal, and human habitats, this region has attracted human groups since prehistoric times. Anar County in the north of Kerman province and adjacent to Yazd province is one of the driest and most desert parts of Kerman province where no coherent archaeological studies have been conducted before. In 2021, archaeological surveys of this city were conducted to complete the archaeological map of the country. During these surveys, 120 cultural-historical works were identified, of which the earliest works are related to the Epipalaeolithic period, and the latest works are related to the late Islamic era (Qajar/Pahlavi). The identified works are divided into 6 different groups including 6 sites, 49 aqueducts, 15 water structures, 7 religious buildings, 39 historical monuments, and 4 historical contexts. Among these findings, 17 works have been registered in the list of national works of Iran.

In the case of the Archaeology of southeast Iran, many archaeologists have paid attention to the objects that were produced there and considered them as commercial items in Susa and Mesopotamia. This commercial relationship, in its trans-regional form, caused the transference of beliefs and Ideologies. The evidence of such relationships can be seen in the evidence of Tepe Yahya, Shahdad, South Konar Sandal, and Shahr-i Sokhta all are located in southeastern Iran. However, there is some evidence of a kind of relationship between Mesopotamia and the inhabitants of southeast Iran, but there is no evidence of direct contact between them. Based on the classic interpretation of the intercultural material it seems that this relationship was not limited only to raw or processed materials and meantime some ritual and ideological notions were transferred directly or indirectly between these two worlds. A good example is the presence of the serpent motif in southeast archaeological sites in Iran that comes with different forms and concepts over seals, metal vessels, painted and plastic pottery, and other products of the existing cultures like Tepe Yahya, Shahdad, Jiroft, Bampur, and Shahr-i Sokhta. The serpent-like motifs have been seen from the 6th and 5th millennium BC as a sign or symbol of the underworld god. Perhaps no other motif like the serpent can represent the transference of beliefs and thoughts from low to high lands and it seems as we move farther from the borders of cultural Iran, it declines in importance and presence.

The traditional attire worn by Baluch women in the Sistan region has evolved in response to the geographical conditions, encompassing cultural, social, economic, and natural factors, spanning extended historical periods. Adaptations have emerged with technological advancements over time. This distinctive clothing not only serves as a key element of identity but also stands as a representative expression of the authentic Baluch ethnicity. Rooted in the historical antiquity of the Sistan region, the dressing culture of Baluch women exhibits unique characteristics and features, shaped by diverse developments across cultural, social, historical, and climatic dimensions from ancient times to the present day. Hence, considering historical precedents and current conditions, this paper aims to scrutinize the attire of Baluch women in Sistan, specifically emphasizing the ancient background and cultural identity. The objective is to discern strategic priorities and glean insights from Baluch women in Zabol regarding the criteria guiding the selection of dress types and overall decision-making processes pertaining to the cultural aspects of women's attire, through a comparative analysis of the past and present. The central research question is formulated as follows: What constitute the most important selection criteria for Baluch women's dresses in Sistan, with a focus on ancient background and cultural identity? The research methodology employed is descriptive-analytical, relying on documentary, library studies, and field surveys. Additionally, the analysis utilized the Analytic Network Process (ANP) model, breaking down the data into 3 clusters (groups) and 9 sub-groups (nodes). The findings reveal that, in the analysis of Baluch women's dresses, the node "Compatible with traditional culture" (0.708) within the "Preference of Baluch Women in Zabol City" cluster, the node "Stemming from neighboring lands" (0.668) within the "Traditional Attire" cluster, and the node "Adhering to Sistan traditional culture" (0.525) within the "Modern Attire" cluster, have been assigned higher priority compared to alternative options. These results hold significance for decision-makers, planners, and officials involved in cultural matters, providing valuable insights for prioritizing strategies concerning women's dresses. Implementing these insights can contribute to the preservation and safeguarding of Iran's indigenous and traditional culture.

The Shahr-Draz site is located in Southeast Iran in the Daman River basin in the center of the Shahr-Draz village of Iranshahr County in the center of Sistan and Baluchistan Province. The Bampur River basin is one of the important ancient areas in the Baluchistan region. Bampur River is formed by the joining of small rivers such as Karvandar and Daman and many other small branches and flows in the east-west direction. Daman and Bampur Rivers were the center of the formation of significant sites in the Bronze Age, which played an essential role in the formation of human communities. The Daman River basin has been a communication corridor between the north, center, and south of Baluchistan. To protect the Shahr-Draz site, the first author was commissioned by the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage of Sistan and Baluchistan Province to conduct a field survey and sounding to determine the core zone and propose the buffer zone for this site in the summer and fall of 2020, which lasted 45 days. During this period, the site was carefully surveyed step-by-step, and 14 trenches with 1 × 1 m dimensions were dug in different directions. During the project, 112 potsherds were identified, registered, and studied. The present research aims to study the found pottery from this site and compare it with other simultaneous sites in neighboring areas. This work has been done with the purpose of a comprehensive understanding of the condition of this site and the extent of its cultural interactions to realize the cultural dynamics of the region. In this research, two methods of documentary and field research have been used. The results show that the Shahr-Draz site with an area of about 35 hectares in the Daman River basin had cultural continuity during the Bronze Age and the pottery of this site has the most similarities with the pottery of the ancient sites of Bampur and the Pakistan region. In addition, based on the typology of pottery, it seems that in the Bronze Age, the Daman River basin had not only extensive regional and extra-regional relations, but was also one of the important communication routes and the connecting point between the sites of Central Baluchistan and the sites of Soghan Valley, Makran, Sistan, and Baluchistan of Pakistan.