Abbas Moghaddam | Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization (original) (raw)
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Papers by Abbas Moghaddam
Modified human skulls are among the unique finds recovered from archaeological contexts. They exh... more Modified human skulls are among the unique finds recovered from archaeological contexts. They exhibit various forms of deformation, which can be attributed to factors such as diseases, cultural practices, post-burial lithostatic pressure, and life history events. Particularly significant are intentionally deformed skulls, with examples, albeit in small numbers, found throughout Southwest Asia, not to mention the Iranian Plateau. However, these skulls have not received adequate attention in Iran due to problems such as focusing on other research priorities during excavations and the imbalance in the analysis of the various types of excavation findings. Examples of such skulls have been unearthed from the Neolithic sites in the Central Zagros. Recently, excavations at Tol-e Chega Sofla in the Zohreh Plain (Behbahan, Khuzestan) have yielded thirteen skull specimens with deformed proportions in a relatively well-preserved state. Hence, there is an excellent opportunity to study such skulls within the context of the Iranian Plateau. The study of the deformed skulls of Chega Sofla reveals similarities in the methods of skull deformation with the other areas of Southwest Asia. At Tol-e Chega Sofla, the practice of skull deformation using bandages is evident, along with various other traditions of cranial modification. The BG1 mass grave samples show similarities with the Ali Kosh and Seyh Hüyük skulls, while the BG6.1 specimen does not resemble any of the BG1 mass grave skulls and is similar to the modified skull of Burial no.5 in Chagha Sefid. It is worth mentioning that unintentional skull deformation, resulting in the flattening of some parts of the occipital bone, has also been observed in Chega Sofla.
Undoubtedly, Chogha Mish is the most recognized prehistoric settlement, which has multiple cultur... more Undoubtedly, Chogha Mish is the most recognized prehistoric settlement, which has multiple cultural sequences of prehistoric Susiana, but our current knowledge assumes that from the end of the Late Middle Susiana to the first stage of the Late Susiana phase it had been deserted or became a marginal settlement. The evaluation of the available evidence, both those obtained from Chogha Mish and those from various areas and sites during recent decades, show that the idea of the decline of Chogha Mish in this period cannot be completely correct. Here we will first discuss one of the well-known pieces of evidence the "Burnt Building", which has been accidentally or unexpectedly identified in the margins of High Mound's during the ninth season of excavations at Chogha Mish. The most common analysis presented implies that the Building, which is not classified as an ordinary building in terms of dimensions and quality, is targeted and set on fire in hostile contact with the developing highland mobile pastoralist population. Therefore, this evidence attracted the attention of researchers as a turning point in the history of the Chogha Mish settlement development. Since someone has considered the beginning of this decline as the great fire in the building belonging to the Late Middle Susiana phase, it is reasonable to know that, what kind of characteristics the building has and if the presented evidence is indicative or not? Based on evidence from the deposits of the building can it be considered a Monumental Building? Given the existing archaeological evidence, we assume that the "inference" of the scholars has led to such a notion. Otherwise, we think the assumed decline of Chogha Mish may have various reasons. The new settlement configurations in the region which are fashioned by new economic and especially ritual practices may have led Chogha Mish to not be prosperous as before and left behind its counterparts.
Social Science Research Network, 2022
Pearls, Politics and Pistachios. Essays in Anthropology and Memories on the Occasion of Susan Pollock’s 65th Birthday, 2021
IRAN, 2007
Many areas in southwestern Iran are unknown archaeologically. Recent archaeological surveys east ... more Many areas in southwestern Iran are unknown archaeologically. Recent archaeological surveys east of the Karun River indicate that this area acted as a corridor connecting various cultural zones over a period of some 7000 years. The archaeological evidence of human settlement in this area provides an important record of longterm socio-cultural change from the late fifth millennium B.C. to the post-Sasanian Islamic world.
IRAN, 2003
France and the Anglo-Russian Accords: the Discreet Missing Link, by Mariam Habibi. .. . Leon Tigr... more France and the Anglo-Russian Accords: the Discreet Missing Link, by Mariam Habibi. .. . Leon Tigranovich Gyuzalian, on the Centenary of his Birth (15 March 1900), by A.T. Adamova The Development of Women's Football in Iran. A Perspective on the Future for Women's Sport in the Islamic Republic, by Jenny Steel and Sophie Richter-Devroe. ........
IRAN, 2022
Previous archaeological investigations of the northern coast of the Persian Gulf have assumed tha... more Previous archaeological investigations of the northern coast of the Persian Gulf have assumed that it had an unstable landscape due to successive fluctuations and sea-level changes in the mid-Holocene, and no prehistoric settlements were expected there. This impression has also been reinforced by the lack of a systematic strategy for carrying out detailed archaeological surveys on the northern shores of the Persian Gulf, which contrasts to the systematic approaches use in the inter-montane valleys of the Zagros Mountain and the lowland plains of Khuzestan. Geoarchaeological studies have partially reconstructed landscape evolution of the Persian Gulf’s northern coasts, and prehistoric sites are now being found in this region. One prominent recent find is Tahmachi, a fifth millennium BCE settlement in the Liravi (Deylam) plain, which is less than 5 km north of the current shoreline. The two remaining mounds situated alongside the Zendarun stream attest to the presence of a permanent settlement with at least 10 m of cultural deposits in a dynamic and resource-rich landscape. Based on material culture and surface finds, the prehistoric population here had access to diverse resources from both sea and land.
Modified human skulls are among the unique finds recovered from archaeological contexts. They exh... more Modified human skulls are among the unique finds recovered from archaeological contexts. They exhibit various forms of deformation, which can be attributed to factors such as diseases, cultural practices, post-burial lithostatic pressure, and life history events. Particularly significant are intentionally deformed skulls, with examples, albeit in small numbers, found throughout Southwest Asia, not to mention the Iranian Plateau. However, these skulls have not received adequate attention in Iran due to problems such as focusing on other research priorities during excavations and the imbalance in the analysis of the various types of excavation findings. Examples of such skulls have been unearthed from the Neolithic sites in the Central Zagros. Recently, excavations at Tol-e Chega Sofla in the Zohreh Plain (Behbahan, Khuzestan) have yielded thirteen skull specimens with deformed proportions in a relatively well-preserved state. Hence, there is an excellent opportunity to study such skulls within the context of the Iranian Plateau. The study of the deformed skulls of Chega Sofla reveals similarities in the methods of skull deformation with the other areas of Southwest Asia. At Tol-e Chega Sofla, the practice of skull deformation using bandages is evident, along with various other traditions of cranial modification. The BG1 mass grave samples show similarities with the Ali Kosh and Seyh Hüyük skulls, while the BG6.1 specimen does not resemble any of the BG1 mass grave skulls and is similar to the modified skull of Burial no.5 in Chagha Sefid. It is worth mentioning that unintentional skull deformation, resulting in the flattening of some parts of the occipital bone, has also been observed in Chega Sofla.
Undoubtedly, Chogha Mish is the most recognized prehistoric settlement, which has multiple cultur... more Undoubtedly, Chogha Mish is the most recognized prehistoric settlement, which has multiple cultural sequences of prehistoric Susiana, but our current knowledge assumes that from the end of the Late Middle Susiana to the first stage of the Late Susiana phase it had been deserted or became a marginal settlement. The evaluation of the available evidence, both those obtained from Chogha Mish and those from various areas and sites during recent decades, show that the idea of the decline of Chogha Mish in this period cannot be completely correct. Here we will first discuss one of the well-known pieces of evidence the "Burnt Building", which has been accidentally or unexpectedly identified in the margins of High Mound's during the ninth season of excavations at Chogha Mish. The most common analysis presented implies that the Building, which is not classified as an ordinary building in terms of dimensions and quality, is targeted and set on fire in hostile contact with the developing highland mobile pastoralist population. Therefore, this evidence attracted the attention of researchers as a turning point in the history of the Chogha Mish settlement development. Since someone has considered the beginning of this decline as the great fire in the building belonging to the Late Middle Susiana phase, it is reasonable to know that, what kind of characteristics the building has and if the presented evidence is indicative or not? Based on evidence from the deposits of the building can it be considered a Monumental Building? Given the existing archaeological evidence, we assume that the "inference" of the scholars has led to such a notion. Otherwise, we think the assumed decline of Chogha Mish may have various reasons. The new settlement configurations in the region which are fashioned by new economic and especially ritual practices may have led Chogha Mish to not be prosperous as before and left behind its counterparts.
Social Science Research Network, 2022
Pearls, Politics and Pistachios. Essays in Anthropology and Memories on the Occasion of Susan Pollock’s 65th Birthday, 2021
IRAN, 2007
Many areas in southwestern Iran are unknown archaeologically. Recent archaeological surveys east ... more Many areas in southwestern Iran are unknown archaeologically. Recent archaeological surveys east of the Karun River indicate that this area acted as a corridor connecting various cultural zones over a period of some 7000 years. The archaeological evidence of human settlement in this area provides an important record of longterm socio-cultural change from the late fifth millennium B.C. to the post-Sasanian Islamic world.
IRAN, 2003
France and the Anglo-Russian Accords: the Discreet Missing Link, by Mariam Habibi. .. . Leon Tigr... more France and the Anglo-Russian Accords: the Discreet Missing Link, by Mariam Habibi. .. . Leon Tigranovich Gyuzalian, on the Centenary of his Birth (15 March 1900), by A.T. Adamova The Development of Women's Football in Iran. A Perspective on the Future for Women's Sport in the Islamic Republic, by Jenny Steel and Sophie Richter-Devroe. ........
IRAN, 2022
Previous archaeological investigations of the northern coast of the Persian Gulf have assumed tha... more Previous archaeological investigations of the northern coast of the Persian Gulf have assumed that it had an unstable landscape due to successive fluctuations and sea-level changes in the mid-Holocene, and no prehistoric settlements were expected there. This impression has also been reinforced by the lack of a systematic strategy for carrying out detailed archaeological surveys on the northern shores of the Persian Gulf, which contrasts to the systematic approaches use in the inter-montane valleys of the Zagros Mountain and the lowland plains of Khuzestan. Geoarchaeological studies have partially reconstructed landscape evolution of the Persian Gulf’s northern coasts, and prehistoric sites are now being found in this region. One prominent recent find is Tahmachi, a fifth millennium BCE settlement in the Liravi (Deylam) plain, which is less than 5 km north of the current shoreline. The two remaining mounds situated alongside the Zendarun stream attest to the presence of a permanent settlement with at least 10 m of cultural deposits in a dynamic and resource-rich landscape. Based on material culture and surface finds, the prehistoric population here had access to diverse resources from both sea and land.
Orientalia Antiqua et Nova (Volume I), 2024
Orientalia Antiqua et Nova is a new pluridisciplinary, independent academic journal devoted to th... more Orientalia Antiqua et Nova is a new pluridisciplinary, independent academic journal devoted to the Orient in a broad sense, encompassing a wide geographical area of investigation, substantially coextensive to the empire of Alexander the Great at its height or, later on, to the regions which at one point or another in history have found themselves included in the spheres of civilisation of either Islam or Byzantium. Its ambition is to propose a different look – made in particular of appropriate distancing and understanding vis-à-vis the perceptions and identities of local actors – at both the ancient and modern history of the Middle East and Central Asia including, but not limited to, archaeology, art history, religion, philosophy and literature, and at the current regional developments in international relations, culture and society. One volume of the journal is published annually. All contributions are subject to double-blind peer-review.
RICHT, 2018
A summary of archaeological excavations at the Chega Sofla Cemetery and its impressive finds
Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and Tourism, 2024
Iranian Center for Archaeological Research, 2006
British Archaeological Reports (BAR), 2012
