نشریه پژوهش های باستان شناسی ایران
پیاپی 7 (پاییز و زمستان 1393)

Here we present the results of 2005 field research in the Qaleh Bozi site complex located at south-southwest of Isfahan، close to the inner foothills of the Zagros range، on the south-western margin of the Central Iran. The sites include two rockshelters and a cave located at elevations of between 1750 and 1810 meters above sea level، on the southern face of a limestone cliff of lower Cretaceous age. These sites were studied by M. Yazdi، who excavated one of the sites، Qaleh Bozi 1، in 2004. In 2005، under the supervision of F. Biglari، a joint team conducted test excavations at the other two sites، Qaleh Bozi 2 and، Qaleh Bozi 3. A large sample of animal bones and lithics were recovered from these sites، the largest assemblages belonging to QB2 with abundant، well-preserved macro and micro-vertebrates remains and lithic artifacts. A large sample of faunal remains was recovered in these sites. The largest faunal assemblage belongs to Qaleh Bozi 2. A considerable number of shaft fragments of the limb bones were recovered in this cave. Some specimens show impacts and breakage patterns compatible with marrow extraction. The anthropogenic activity is also evidenced in a number of burnt and cut marked bones. The Macro mammalian remains belong in majority to large and medium sized herbivores. Besides the Caprini the gazelles are abundant in the assemblage. Among the large herbivores، the dominant species are the Equids. Aurochs was also identified with remains of horn cores and the presence of Rhinoceros is attested by few bones and teeth fragments. The lithic artifacts were made from small river worn pebbles. Chain operation took place entirely at the site as shown by the high percentages of cortical flakes، some intact and tested pebbles and cobbles and cores and small debris. Façonnage technology and core reduction are present in the industry. Both hard hammerstone and probably soft hammerstone were used. There are very few Levallois elements. Tools and flakes are predominant and making up three quarters of the assemblage. The remaining artifact types consist of cores، waste and debris. The tool group is dominated by various types of scrapers، followed by the retouched pieces، notch-denticulates، borers and bifacial tools. A number of pointed tools from Qaleh Bozi 3 were selected for use-wear analysis and some use-wear traces were found on two points. These tools show edge damage، polish and scarring which indicate they were used for butchery، most probably for cutting meat. This preliminary analysis shows that a use-wear analysis of a larger sample may yield useful additional insights into the subsistence activities of human groups on the Iranian Plateau in the Middle Paleolithic. The analysis of a number of charcoal fragments from Middle Paleolithic layers at Qaleh Bozi 2 has allowed the identification of two different taxa including Willow or Poplar and Pistachio. This analysis shows the presence around the site of two different plant formations: open steppe-forests and riverine formations. AMS radiocarbon dates from charcoal samples collected during the 2005 excavations at Qaleh Bozi 2 refine the dating for the Middle Paleolithic occupation of this site to Late Middle Paleolithic (OIS 3). The diversity and the significant number of large species such as equids، Rhino and Aurochs، the relative absence of carnivores، the presence of thick ash lenses، and the presence of almost the entire chain operation in Qaleh Bozi 2، indicate a possible base camp function for QB 2، probably for a number of months on a yearly basis، during the Middle Paleolithic. But the evidence from Qaleh Bozi 3 indicates short-term stays probably related to hunting activities at the Qaleh Bozi Mountain and Zayandeh Rud plain. This is indicated by the dominance of bifacial and uinfacial points in the tool-kit and also the abundance of caprids and gazelles in identifiable faunal remains.

The salvage excavation at Tappe Qeshlaq Chel-Amiran lead to identify a site attributed to the Chalcolithic period in the highland between the east of Central Zagros and the southern Lake Urmiah basin. Although a cultural relationship between two areas was already proved، but available information intermediate about the areas was not too much. Tappe Qeshlaq is a site located in the middle of a valley with the same name as a natural corridor indicating the cultural interactions of the given regions during the Chalcolithic period. This site، in which over 12 meters of deposit from different phases of the Chalcolithic period was identified، is includes five cultural periods and shows a non-stop 2000-year-long existence according the Dalma culture indexes in the lowest deposit and the works of Godin VI/VII type in the highest deposit until the end of the Chalcolithic in central Zagros. During the Chalcolithic period numerous finds such as sphere، cone، disc، oval، hyperbola and other unique geometric shapes were found most of which have half-baked due to burning among the rubbish، and that may be the reason why they have lasted for such a long time. Other archeological data show that the economy was dependent mostly upon farming، hunting wild animals and catching the aquatics rather than agriculture. Of the various reasons one could mention is the special environmental condition، fairly cold and dry steppe climate and the low soil fertility. It seems that some of the needed things were imported from the neighboring areas through exchange while most of the finds proving trade and exchange، although stamp seals with geometric figures show a regional function of the site. Of the hunted animals، wild donkey and gazelle are more frequent then rabbit، turtle، fish and birds are the most frequent hunted animals. The abundance of animal clay figurines، although incomplete and broken، is another characteristic of the site during the Chalcolithic period، as compared to the several similar samples from sites like Tepe Sarab، Tepe Ghabristan، etc. implies farming and the relevant rituals. In this ritual، which seems to have been held repeatedly، clay figurines were made in an abstract form and thrown away in a special ceremony while they were broken. The clay figurines are in complete conformity with the animals bones discovered from the site.

Tappeh Gourab is located at E 34 ، 13‘، 29. 3 “and N 48 ، 52’، 00. 4”، 1823 meters above sea level and close to the Gourāb Village a Suffragan of Malayer town in Hamadan province، adjacent to the link road Arak-Malayer. The archaeological investigations carried out by Ali Khaksar in 2006 aiming to determine stratigraphy and limit of the site during which remarkable results were achieved. The site has been registered on the National Heritage List with No. 1042 in 1984. Then in 2006 archeological excavations were done. Tappeh Gourab was identified in 1962 and Mehdi Rahbar according to the pottery comparisons، attributed the site to Sassanid era; meanwhile the site was investigated by Mr. Ahmad Kabiri. He believed there are remains of prehistoric periods (mid-4th millennium B. C.) and in the higher floors the 1st millennium potteries are attested. There were also multi-Islamic era potteries of particularly Ilkhanid era on top of the site. Archaeological excavation of the Tappeh Gourab were done in two apart tranches to determine the limit of the cultural deposit area and offering the boundary. Determining the limit of the site، 14 test trenches were excavated in different directions. As a result، the actual dimensions of the site was about 200 × 340 m were identified over the area that represents 8. 3 hectares. Stratifying the site، three tomography trenches were established. The Northeast trench is known as the main stratigraphic trench. The stratigraphic trench in the northeastern part of the site، in an sloppy area close to vertical direction was established with basic dimensions of 2 × 2 m in the northeast - southwest order. The tranche 1 is an step trench and 1. 5 × 1. 5 meter in diameter، placed in front of stratigraphic trench in the northeastern part of the site. Trench 14 is located at the Northern part of the site. It is 1. 50 × 1. 90 m. In three trenches 29. 68 meters of the deposits via 3 trenches were excavated led to discover 53 catalogs، 7 structures، 7 Features and 4 locus. Providing the absolute dating، totally 13 C14 samples have been taken of which 6 samples are from the Yaniq culture deposit and dating of samples was conducted in the laboratory Oxford University. According to the evidences of absolute chronology، pottery and architectural evidences of Tappeh Gourab، 8 cultural periods can be specified: Middle Chalcolithic، Early Bronze Age، Iron III (?) / Achamenid (?)، Parthian، Sassanid، Early Islamic، Seljuk and Ilkhanid. Deposit related to the Early Bronze Age is 5. 80 m without gap from the Middle and Late Chalcolithic. Because of the architectural structures associated with the Iron Age III / Achamenid، the upper part of Early Bronze Age deposits (K 24-36) were disturbed. Yaniq data of Tappeh Gourab is comparable with those from Tappeh Pisa، Godin Tepe، Yaniq Tape، Gol Tepe، Eastern Anatolia، Asvan Kale، South Anatolian Plateau، Mus in Turkey، Sos Hoyuk، Büyüktepe Höyük. Comparing the C14 analysis from Tappeh Gourab and the current dating of Godin Tepe، it seems that some reviews on the dating of Yaniq culture in Central Zagros is necessary.

One of the most important and unanswered questions in archaeological researches of two neighboring provinces of Guilan and Mazandaran is; what kind of settlement patterns are there in the prehistory، especially in the Iron Age of the region; Presence or absence of permanent architecture and the kind of the architecture and the applied material، despite their importance reconstructing the livelihood systems، have had no considerations in the archaeological studies of Guilan and Mazandaran and have not been studied yet systematically. Meanwhile، the main prehistoric archaeological activities at two provinces are mainly focused on the Iron Age graveyards (1500-750 B. C.). The lack of fundamental questions and methodological considerations in archaeological researches lead to the settlement patterns and architecture in this era remain obscured. However there are many questions seems to need more attentions in the archaeological investigations. Some of these inquiries are listed below: How is the distribution of sites and settlement pattern in this area during prehistoric time? What factor (s) led to identify little evidence of such settlements at this part of Iran? Are there any sedentary settlements in northern slops of Alborz Mountains over prehistoric era? If there is، what are its architectural elements? And what materials were used in the construction of temporary or permanent architectures? In this paper we tried to establish an initial sketch of Iron Age architecture attributions in the region restricted from west parts of Mazandaran to southeastern parts of Guilan. Based on available evidences، we can show that the prehistoric inhabitants of these areas have had semi-sedentary and occasionally fully-sedentary architecture. To sum up، the attribution of the Iron Age architecture in this region includes: 1 - The use of local materials such as cobbles and wood for building the foundation، walls and roofs; 2 - Stones have used in flooring، foundations and probably in walls and also in oven and heart borders; 3 – It seems that unbaked bricks were used in wall occasionally; 4 - Fully fastening angles and making the rectangular spaces was known to these ancient people; 5 - The usage of woody piers probably was prevalent bearing the roofs. 6 - It seems that the roofs were made of wood or other unstable materials. 7- Also we can see traces of ovens and hearts near interior or exterior sides of walls of living space. 8 - Burnt and trampled layers associated with these structures were used for flooring the living rooms and beyond as well. All of these probably shows intermeshed context of sedentary settlements in northern slops of Alborz Mountains in the period between 1500 -750 B. C. In other hand there are evidences of temporary settlements in caves and rock shelters.

Khorramabad Valley is located in Central Zagros region although has its own unique features. In the middle of the valley، where the Khorramabad River turns northwest and creates an angle، there is a natural bedrock under which a watery spring gushes. The bedrock is surrounded by the river from east، south، and southwest. In August 2008، stratigraphic excavation was started by digging a 3×3m trench on the south-western corner of the second court in Falak-ol-Aflak Castle، which reduced to 2×1m and became 13. 30 m in depth finally. Following two season of excavation، five cultural periods were identified، which chronologically include the Late Iron Age II (8th – 9th century BC)، Trans-Achamenid، Parthian، Sassanid، and Late Islamic period. During the 2nd season of the stratigraphic excavations carried out at the precincts of Falak-ol-Aflak Castle in Khorramabad valley in 2008، some signs of a large brick wall were appeared. The wall started from a depth of 6. 30 meters from the brick floor of its second precinct، continuing up to the surface of the hill bedrock at a depth of 13. 30 meters. The evidences of pottery، so-called Genre of Luristan have been found from the oldest deposits of a known settlement of stratigraphic trench، which is backed to the 9th and 8th centuries B. C. The known triple layers of this period with the evidences of burnt at the upper parts are contemporary with a wide brick defensive wall which its surface is covered. The size of used bricks is resemble to the similar ones at Lorestan specially Babajan. The oldest settlement period of this site has not been identified from the stratigraphic trench، but an excavated trench doing the stability activities of castle foundation in the southern part of the second yard has shown that the thick layers is belong to the Middle and late Bronze Age with the potsherds parallel to the Godin III culture. These shards are also existence as the mixed materials of the mentioned bricks in the wide wall. It seems that، during the 9th and 8th centuries B. C the Bronze Age layer has been removed making a building foundation on the natural rocks. As well as، the deposits of this layer were used as construction materials of the given wall. This situation caused to unidentified layer of Bronze Age in the stratigraphic trench which situated inside above mentioned wall. According to the states and hypothesizes made by Iron Age experts، the Ellipi Rulership reigned to the Pishkouh-I Luristan during the first centuries of the 1st millennium B. C. This rulership was united with Elamite، while it was enemy with Assyria. The ancient documents of many Assyrian kings described their campaigns and cited many of the Ellipi places as well. The cultural data of this period are the architectural remains at Babajan and the pottery so-called “Genre of Luristan”. The architecture found out Babajan the Goffʼs excavations has been special traits. Based on reports and articles which showed these traits have been stone base which mud-brick walls formed on it and surface of these walls were clay plastered. Outside in front of these walls there were fixed towers، unlike other periods، instead gyrate towers with orthogonal towers saw in Babajan. These traits found out in Falak-ol-Aflak fortress excavations. This article tries to introduce the discovered brick structure as a part of a castle attributed to the Ellipi State rules during the 9th and 8th centuries B. C. We believe that this castle has been destroyed and burnt out during the ruinous attacks by one the Assyrian kings in the late 8th or early 7th centuries B. C.

Mortuary practices are the main source of study on the ancient cults and religions. Burials، as a part of material and intangible heritage of a society، have their own characteristics in different regions. Since ancient inhumation traditions originate from the beliefs of the past societies، their study could be useful for reconstruction of cultural evolutionary process of them. Equally، investigation on them is the best way to determine the religious and cultural interactions among neighboring civilizations. In southern Makran، new archaeological surveys indicate that special stone burials، called cairn burials، are abundant during the Parthian era، very similar to those already identified in Kerman، Hormuzgan، Fars، northern coasts of Persian Gulf (Bushehr region)، Pakistani Makran and southern shores of Oman Sea. In the Baluchistan region، these graves are called Dambi which refer to inhumation of old alive persons. In fact، an abundant samples of them were discovered among which، the largest and most significant site is “Damba-Koh” located in Bahu Kalat plain. Their form are characterized by semi-deep pits covered by a hump of stone pebbles. The present paper tries to study and classify these graves، to detect their traces in anterior periods as well as to evaluate their chronology through typological and comparative analysis of pottery، found on the newly identified cairn sites. The forms of the cairns are divided into three general groups including square، circular and oval shapes. Structurally، they have been constructed by two various 1- Simple stony irregular graves 2- Regular graves with walls and doors All of the graves have built with stones available around the sites. Only a few samples have remained intact and their roofs have been mostly collapsed during the time. In the case of chamber shaped cairns، they have been constructed without using any mortar. Some of them have entrance doors، between 50-70 cm wide and 50-70 cm high. The potsherds discovered from these cairns are generally divided into 3 groups: the first group is usually monochrome or occasionally biochrome painted ware. Regarding their manufacturing techniques، they have a middle to fine paste and the surface of the vessels are covered by red to buff slips. Geometric (zigzag and ladder lined) motives have been used for decoration of the pottery. The second pottery type، which called Londo ware، is a kind of painted pottery on which animal motives (like horse and ibex motives) are abundant as well as geometric motives. The third category of pottery is fine orange ware with very smooth surface including cups and long chalices that some scholars consider an Indian origin for them. By providing new archeological evidence including classification of burial structures and pottery typology، the present study conclude that، at the moment، Parthian dating، already proposed for this type of graves، is also confirmed by our findings. But an earlier chronology could be attested by excavating some cairn burials in the region.

Arsacid Empire is one of the least known periods in the history of Iran which، until recently، was called the “dark middle age of ancient Iran civilization”. In Iranian culture and tradition، this period is usually ignored and left unexplored. For years، identification and investigation of Arsacid culture and art were done just based on the excavations carried out in Mesopotamia and Syria، especially in Palmira and Dura Europos. In Iran، the important sites excavated only include Susa (50 km south Andimeshk and 114 km north of Ahwaz)، Khajeh Mountain (in Sistan)، Khorheh (in Markazi province)، Qale’ Yazdgird (in western Iran، close to Qasre Shirin)، Tepe NushiJan (60 km south Hamedan)، Qale’ Zahak (16 km southeast Sareskan city)، Taq-i Bustan cemetery (in Kermanshah)، Parthian domain of Bisotun (in Harsin city) and Laodicea Temple (in Nahavand). One of the most valuable Arsacid cultural materials is pottery، a difficult، unknown yet important issue studying which is a must. An essential، prominent aspect of Arsacid pottery is that the works of pottery were not identical throughout Arsacid territory. In this period، in every region of Iran، there were works of pottery which were unique to that region and differed from the potteries of neighboring regions. Sang-e Shir area، now known as Sang-e Shir square، is placed at the east of Hamedan city. Today، a very small part of this site has turned into the square and the rest is buried under residential houses. To the northeast of this area، there is a vast cemetery on a natural hill; stone lion statue is located on the highest point to the southwest. This cemetery was visited by Ali Akbar Sarfaraz in 1966، and later، in 1974-75 by Masoud Azarnoush as a result of which Achaemenid، Seleucid?، Parthian and Islamic graves were excavated. As a result of the excavations، four different types of burial were identified including burial in clay coffins، burial in clay pithos، burial without coffin (corpse in a flexed position)، and burial without coffin (corpse in a extended position). In his 1975 report، Azarnoush divided these burials into three categories: burials flexed is considered as belonging to 4th century BC because of a coin from Caria found; he claims that this coin can possibly be dated back to Hecatomnus، the king who was appointed by Artaxerxes II as the head of Iranian Army that were to fight Evagoras، the rebelling king of Salamis. Burials with or without coffins along northeast-southwest axis in which the head is in the southwest are considered، doubtfully، to belong to Seleucid? period based on comparative studies on excavations in Egypt and Mesopotamia. Burials with or without coffin along northeast-southwest axis in a which the head is in the northeast، are regarded as belonging to the late first half and early second half of 2td century BC based on the coins found in these burials that belong to Mithradates I، Phraates II and Gutarzes II. In this article، the Parthian potteries found in this cemetery were the subject of study، typological analysis، comparison and contrast، which led to the identification of Common، Clinky and Glazed pottery categories. Comparative study investigation indicated that these potteries are similar to the Parthian potteries of central Mesopotamia (Seleucia)، west (Kangavar، Bisotun، Tepe Nush-IJan، Khorheh، Ti-Haleh site in Khorramabad Valley)، southwest (Tepe Darougeh، level III of Chaour palace-Susa، eastern Apadana-Susa، level VI of Ville Royale in Susa، Masjid Soleiman)، and northwest (the site of Germi in Moghan plain) of Iran. Based on the analysis، the pottery set found in Sang-e Shir Cemetery of Hamedan can be dated to the early and middle Parthian period.

Seymareh valley is an area located between Luristan and Ilam provinces considered to be an almost unknown area in the Iranian Archaeology. Here، several sites spanning various periods، especially the Sassanid era can be perceived. One of them is Qale’h- ye Seyram Shāh located on the eastern bank of the Seymareh River on a natural hill، approximately 40 meters above the ground while he site is elevated some 725 meters above sea level. The site is belong to remains of the old Sassanid castle. During the excavations، the site was surveyed as remarkable amount of sherds were found of which 361 sherds has been studied and classified introduced here. The significance of these potteries lies in their single period nature. This research is mainly based on the classification and typology of Sassanid pottery from Qale’-ye Seyram Shāh and also their comparison with homogeneous pieces from Central Zagros and other known areas of Sassanid era. These potteries are include typical daily use potteries، Jugs، Big Bowls and Jars; all of them are wheel-made and most are well-baked. In terms of quality they can be divided to 3 classes: delicate pottery، plain and coarse ware. The colour is varies from buff، orange to red. Sassanid potteries of Qale’-ye Seyram Shāh are a local type in which the influence of other regions can also be seen simultaneously. In terms of form، the technical features and decorative style of the collection belongs to the cultural sphere of west and south-western Iran. According to the technical characteristics of the Sassanid pottery of the Qale’-ye Seyrom Shah، it can be attested that the common forms of Seyrom Shah pottery are typical pottery such as: jars، large bowls and jugs. These sherds have mostly impress، curved and raised decorations and the most common designs are scale، linear or finger cordage in one or two rows، wavy and concentric circle designs. Majority of pottery are eggshell and plain ware. The rims are mostly smoothed or rounded inverted rims. Potteries are in small or medium sizes and the large ones are jars and large bowls. Potteries have tempered with fine mineral and coarse sand in white، black and grey colours. Most of potteries have slip or wash in buff or orange and all are wheel-made and well-baked. Technical characteristics of Seyrom Shah Sassanid pottery in comparison with different Sassanid sites represent that the production process was based on the preferences of each Sassanid area. Meanwhile، similar forms with cross-section nuances can be seen. Therefore، in this era، there were different preferences in each area with nuances. Although during this era forms have nuances but they are approximately similar and only technical characteristics and various decoration differentiate. It is noteworthy that the decorations themselves are based on the preferences which mean the decorations are similar but the design pattern are different. So، the Seyrom Shah pottery is a regional and local type in which the inspiration of other regions is well attested. In terms of form، technical characteristic and decoration Seyrom shah pottery belongs to the west and southwest Sassanid culture of Iran as it has the highest similarity with potteries of these regions; these similarities are mostly base on form and decoration،. Similar sample. Qale-ye Seyrom Shah in west are observed in Dare-Shahr، Sargandab، Qale’ Yazdgird، Kangavar and Bistun and in southwest are highly similar to Hajiabad of Fars. These similarities suggest intra-regional and inter-regional interaction of Qa’ale seyrom shah.

One of the characteristics of Sassanian is that they use to methods of Water transferring with policy Fund، administrative and important technology، which turn dry and semiarid land of Iran to a suitable place for long and continuum life. Firuzabad Plain (Gur- Ardeshir khore) is a sample of coherent system and exact operation of water sources، from existence in region sub-arid Iran which 18 century after Ardeshir، the founder of Sassanid imperial، recognize the Firuzabad plain as vital area staying the society of Sassanid kingdom. Firuzabad plain is full of huge buildings and memorial from the founder of Sasanian Imperial dynasty along with surrounding settlements، Who has studied settlemen pattern، Water transition practices in Firuzabad plain، Sassanid and Islamic periods unmentioned. Several questions about the sources and modes of transmission of the city of Ardashir khore (Gur) periods the Sassanid and Islamic، remained unclear and they are the aims of the current study. The research methods employed all the available resources to identify and evaluate the role of water shaping Firuzabad plain by the Early Sassanid architecture and ways of carring water to the city of Ardashir khore (Gur) during the 16th century، the life of it. Archaeological studies of the writers revealed that was in surces of Sasanian and Islamics period about different methods of carrying water to Ardeshir khore city has been demonstrable and Firuzabad river has had a main role informing building of early Sassanid period. The most important monuments of the early Sassanid period are the Qale’h Dokhtar، Ardeshir Palace and the Gur city; all of these buildings have raised up by Ardeshir، founder of the Sasanian Empire. Firuzabad Plain settlement largest of Ardashir khore (Gur) city، which is located in the eastern part of the river. According to surveys conducted around the river Firuzabad only source of water for the northern، eastern and south of Gur، a distance of several kilometers. Historical Sources of Water Supply Project for the length of six kilometers to the grave of the story moved to the middle of the city takes a certain height. The river water is not accessible to the middle of the city. After matching the historical and archaeological evidence، it is understood that Sassanid water pond in front of the North Portico of the palace of Ardeshir in the form enclosed and buried in the basement of the town have moved. After the collapse of the Sassanid Empire by the introduction of Eslamic period and early and Middle Ages of the three sources of water for the water supply to the city was buried، These changes are somehow related to political developments in the province and the failure of Siraf port flourished in the Late 4th century (A. H) is. Evidence suggests that the Sasanian have a thorough knowledge of geography and strategic location Firuzabad plain، That consequently the implementation of a systematic and coherent transfer of water to support the political، economic، administrative، technical and strong، Firuzabad plain to bloom in business، industry، agriculture and the arts has، Until after the collapse of the Sassanid Empire in the 4th century (A. H); Has retained its position as an ideal city. But after that، the commercial life of plain Firuzabad plain، the boom fell، maintaining full control of all modes of transport are Firuzabad plain water. The rapid development of urbanization، the construction of more than 2،000 agricultural wells، with the implementation of the agrarian reform law in 1340 decade (A. D) The Sassanid precious relic was forgotten.

During the first to eighth centuries، Islamic city of Jiroft has been one of the strategic، important and great areas in cultural field of Halilrood and Jazmoriyan. Islamic city of Jiroft is located in Kerman province at south-east of Iran and during the Islamic period، it was one of the five county of Kerman province According to the political and geographical division. The extent of dispersion of cultural materials and ruins in this city is representative of its prosperity and importance in Kerman province and its vastness equals to famous cities of that time like Ray، Nishapur، Siraf، Istakhr and Isfahan. The main surface pottery findings at this city are: the pieces of wares with engraved patterns under glaze، Sgraffito، splashed glaze، slip-painted polychrome and monochrome wares، Faience with blue and turquoise and violet glaze، monochrome glaze، moulded design، lustre wares، and wares with Chinese inscriptions. Also many pieces of bricks، glasses، metal works، Beads made of precious stones and stuccos are scattered throughout the city. Also، architecture remains and plazas are recognizable throughout the city based on the surface effects. In excavations at this city by Hamideh Choobak in decades ago a great mosque، markets، one of the Bath houses and industrial workshops has discovered. The purpose of this research is to explain the quality of formation، development، abandonment and destruction of Islamic city of Jiroft during the first to eighth centuries. The main question is what environmental variables have affected formation، development and destruction of ancient city of Jiroft in the first to eighth centuries? Accordingly، the ecological theory proposed by Kenet Watt is considered and role of five variables of material، energy، diversity، space and time in three phases of formation، development and destruction has been studied. The following hypotheses have been made in order to clarify the direction of research: material and space have had the greatest impact on formation and development of Islamic city of Jiroft. Also، space was the main reason for abandonment and destruction of this city. The hypotheses of this study referring to findings of archeological surveys and historical approaches in study of written sources have been reviewed. Then argumentation is done based on the ecological theory proposed by Kenet Watt and role of five variables of material، energy، diversity، space and time in formation، development and destruction has been studied. According to archaeological findings Jiroft city was a moderate city in Kerman province from the beginning of Islam until the fourth century and its expansion began in the fourth century. Because the most cultural materials of this city are belong to fourth to eighth centuries. It seems that the most important reason for development of Jiroft was the change of communication path between Persian Gulf coast and northern part of country. Because Sirjan was the capital of Kerman province until the fourth century; but، from 4th century، Bardsir (current Kerman city) became the capital. Also، until this time، Kish and Siraf islands were the most important harbors of Persian gulf and the main commercial route continued to Sirjan and to northern part while the fourth century، by change of center of Kerman state from Sirjan to Bardsir and the importance of Hormuz harbor instead of، Kish and Siraf the communication route of Hormuz-Jiroft-Bardsir to northern parts were more developed and Jiroft became the store of imported goods and commercial medium. At the same time، the Qomadin sector was built at the northeastern margin of Jiroft city; As pointed out in the Marco Polo. The Indian، Chinese، Roman، Greek، Ethiopian، Zanzibar merchants lived in Qomadin and they store their goods at this sector. Then the Seljuk rulers of kerman focused on Jiroft and it was chosen as their winter capital. There were also resources and mines which provided raw materials of exported goods and made it more developed. Roads of Jiroft have lost their security during the battles of the Fars rulers، Shabankareh and Ghoz and Jiroft lost its importance at this time. But it recovered its prosperity in the Qarakhataee period. After this، Tamerlane attacked the south region of Kerman during the 8th century and he destroyed seven castles in this regions. After that by decrease of importance of Jiroft–Hormuz route this city slowly became abandoned.

The interior design of a dome is one of the most important decorations in Iranian architecture. The study of the common technique in Iran used for the decoration of internal parts of the domes indicates that for such decoration، brick، tile، and plaster are used in two plain and mixed forms. Although watercolor technique on plaster has not been used in any building، but the common decorating technique used for the internal part of the domes in Yazd uses gypsum plaster، painting of motifs، and construction of frieze by watercolor painting in azure color. These motifs include geometric shapes and arabesques with floral patterns. They also contain Quranic friezes and some cases friezes with hadiths and prophet’s traditions. Such decorations are not exist in the building of that time in center، south، and east of Iran. On the other hand، the innovations and developments of architectural decorations in Yazd are based on the climatic and cultural conditions as well as the religious beliefs and available natural resources. All of these factors lead to create the special technique for artistic and architectural products. This technique is calls Yazd Style which can be observed in the central part of Iran. The existing documents indicate that this style of the domes in Yazd was common since 5th century AH، during the rules of Kakuyids dynasty، and it was expanded in the era of Atabakan. It reached its peak aesthetically in 8th century AH. when Al-e Mozafar dynasty took office. This style survived even during Mongol Empire when Yazd was in adverse conditions except during the short-time rule of Mirchaghmagh and Haj Ghanbar Jahanshahi. The characteristics of Yazd decoration style can be summarized as follows: 1- The internal parts of domes in Yazd buildings built from 5th to 8th century AH are covered by gypsum plaster. 2- The plaster is designed with rosette paintings which is called peacock feather rosette; it was a plain design originally، but it expanded in the next eras. 3- The tholobate of buildings of this period is decorated by friezes of Quran verses written in monochrome Kufic calligraphy. The tholobate is painted in azure color. 4- Azure is a color used for the decorations and friezes of different parts of buildings including dome، corners، and body decorations. This is the dominant color in decorations. 5- In Yazd، painting on plaster has never been replaced by tiling despite the elegant works of the architects of Yazd، who created domes with tiling such as the dome of the Grand Mosque of Yazd (Masjed Jame’ Yazd) in 777 AH. 6- This style features geometric and arabesque shapes as well as Kufic calligraphic forms and in some cases Naskh calligraphic forms. 7- Although the dominant color is azure، other color shades including green، ocher، yellow، etc. have used slightly in motifs and especially in the rosettes of the ceilings. In the Early 8th century AH، the attitudes were changed both in religious and aesthetic terms; in decoration of Sultanieh dome which was required to have high quality changed rapidly، this method was welcome and implied. The use of this style and such decorations in Sultanieh dome is glamorous and shows the importance and status of this building in Ilkhanid era. Thanks to the skilled artisans of this field، this decoration style was expanded and used in the buildings of other regions of Iran during the rule of Timurid dynasty as well.