Akbar Abedi | TABRIZ ISLAMIC ART UNIVERSITY (original) (raw)
Papers by Akbar Abedi
Documenta Praehistorica, 2019
During 2007 archaeological survey of Little Zab River in Sardasht district in northwest Iran, six... more During 2007 archaeological survey of Little Zab River in Sardasht district in northwest Iran, six typical Uruk (Uruk-related) sites were brought to light. One of the important ones is Tepe Badamyar Rabat, with typical Bevelled Rim Bowls pottery that is considered as the first evidence of Uruk materials in northwest Iran. In addition to Rabat, the Uruk materials found in Tepe Baghi, Tepe Waliv, Tepe Molla Yousef, Tepe Lavin and Tepe Goman provide an opportunity for studying the one millennium gap between Hasanlu VIIIA (Pisdeli) and VIIC (Kura-Araxes) in the southern parts of Lake Urmia, which is seen as a key unknown period in the archaeology of NW Iran. The Uruk evidence found in the mentioned sites mainly belongs to the Middle and Late Uruk periods (3600/3500–3100 BC).
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Tapeh Qal'eh-ye-Sarsakhti is located between the Central Iranian Plateau and the Zagros Mountains... more Tapeh Qal'eh-ye-Sarsakhti is located between the Central Iranian Plateau and the Zagros Mountains, specifically in the entrance threshold to the Central Iranian Plateau from the eastern part of Central Zagros. It is a rich site including several periods: late Neolithic, Middle and Late Chalcolithic, Early and Middle Bronze Age, Parthian and eventually the Seljuk era. According to surveys conducted in the Central Zagros and in the Central Iranian Plateau, Tapeh Qal'eh-ye-Sarsakhti appears to be one of the southeastern-most extensions of the Kura-Araxes and the eastern sphere of Dalma Culture influence in the Central Iranian Plateau and East Central Zagros. Here, we trace the nature of the arrival of these cultures to the East Central Zagros and Central Iranian Plateau, as well as the role this area played in transferring of these cultures from east to west, north to south and vice versa.
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Archaeozoology of the Near East XII, Proceedings of the 12th International Symposium of the ICAZ Archaeozoology of Southwest Asia and Adjacent Areas Working Group, 2018
The Early Bronze Age in north-western Iran and adjacent regions is known for the Kura-Araxes or E... more The Early Bronze Age in north-western Iran and adjacent regions is known for the Kura-Araxes or Early Trans-Caucasian Culture, spreading through the Caucasus and the Lake Urmia Basin. The subsistence economy during this important period is not well known, especially in Iran. This paper deals with the characterization of Kura-Araxes herding strategies by examining the faunal remains from six settlements (Tepe Hasanlu, Kul Tepe, Haftavan Tepe, Kohnehh Tepesi, Kohneh Pasgah Tepesi and Ovçular Tepesi). The results indicate that all these settlements shared similar herding strategies. The exploitation of animal resources was mainly based on domestic ruminants.
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International Journal of the Society of Iranian Archaeologists, 2017
The first and second seasons of extensive survey and excavation at Zardkhaneh were carried out du... more The first and second seasons of extensive survey and excavation at Zardkhaneh were carried out during June-August 2011 and 2012. Third season of excavation continued in August 2014. The survey and excavation yielded materials from the Late Bronze and Early Iron Age. Recently, a survey covering 30 ha at the second millennium b.c. site of Zardkhaneh, located near the city of Ahar in the province of Eastern Azerbaijan, brought to light 95 stone burials indicating that Zardkhaneh was a large cemetery, related to the adjacent settlement and defensive fortress. Our preliminary study shows that the large stone graves and kurgan type burials of Zardkhaneh had close connections with the material culture of areas today located in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkey during these periods.
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New studies on prehistoric obsidian artifacts and their provenance have been published by Iranian... more New studies on prehistoric obsidian artifacts and their provenance have been published by Iranian and international researchers during recent years, which showed, that some obsidian tools might have come from an unknown source located in Iran (perhaps Sahand or Sabalan Mountains). The aim of this paper is to discuss recently discovered obsidian sources in northwest Iran. After a brief introduction of recent obsidian studies in Iran the paper addresses some recent filed work and the geochemical analyses of samples from these surveys (from Tajaraq near Miyaneh and Ghizilja near Bostababad in the Bozghoosh Mountains) by using portable ED-XRF analysis. The results suggest that three major obsidian groups can be distinguished, which are classified as group A and B of Tajaraq besides a single group of Ghizilja. The implications of the new results are discussed along with actual limitations and future research directions.
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Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry, 2019
Southeastern Iran consists of several different geographical zones. Archaeologically, Halil Rud B... more Southeastern Iran consists of several different geographical zones. Archaeologically, Halil Rud Basin is one of the most important parts of the region. This little known basin includes two different geological parts, highlands and lowlands. This dichotomy was to cause interactions between the two areas. The evidence for interactions between the highland mobile pastoralists and lowland urban centers in the urban phase of the 3 rd Millennium BCE in Southeastern Iran has been elusive. However, it is supposed that scattered highland settlements have played a very subservient role in developing the cultural landscape of the region during this period. In May-June 2012, an archaeological project was carried out by one of the authors (NE) at the area of Hanzaf Dam in the highlands of Halil Rud Basin. This paper deals with the results of the project that includes excavations at two Bronze Age pastoral sites, and destroyed cemetery dating back to the Bronze Age. Furthermore, it attempts to present the strategy of pastoralism in the Halil Rud basin based on the ethno-archaeological studies. Finally, we suggest that the pastoral societies had a main role in the prehistoric economic landscape of the Halil River Valley by exploiting the natural resources (instance; copper).
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Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry, 2020
In this work, strontium stable isotopes and trace elements analysis were used for assessment of m... more In this work, strontium stable isotopes and trace elements analysis were used for assessment of migration phenomena in five human skeletons, found in 2017 in Tepe Silveh excavation in Piranshahr, northwestern Iran. On the basis of the associated findings, these skeletons belong more likely to the Millde Islamic Periods (Seljuk era). Due to the proximity of the site to the Iran, Iraq and Turkey boundaries, this study, as the first investigation about the likely migration of the ancient occupants of this region, is of a high importance. The elemental content of both tooth and bone samples of the skeletons was analyzed by ICP-MS technique and the strontium isotopes ratio (87 Sr/ 86 Sr) and trace elements ratio (Ba/Ca and Sr/Ca) were obtained to address whether these skeletons are local or non-local. The results of strontium isotope analysis (87 Sr/ 86 Sr) showed that all the samples could be considered as non-local, where the isotopic ratios were out of local range (local mean ± 2SD). Moreover, the results of trace elements analysis proved the strontium isotope results, where the difference between the ratio of Ba/Ca and Sr/Ca in tooth enamel and bone shows the possible non-local nature of the skeletons, or in other words, it could be said surely that these people have spent their childhood in different places.
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Archaeometry, 2021
Recent archaeological research has highlighted the potential role of mobile pastoral groups in th... more Recent archaeological research has highlighted the potential role of mobile pastoral groups in the diffusion of raw materials and technological innovations between the southern Caucasus and northwestern Iran from the Neolithic onwards. Two successive projects, PAST-OBS and SCOPE, were designed to explore this hypothesis through the study of obsidian consumption patterns from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age using a flexible analytical strategy that considerably extends the scale of obsidian studies in these regions. By focusing on the exploitation
of obsidian at multiple levels—local, regional and interregional—we hope to unravel the complexity of the obsidian networks under study. The aim of this paper is to present (1) a reassessment of the work so far carried out by previous obsidian studies, with a view to homogenizing and to clarifying the nomenclature in use; and (2) an introduction to the PAST-OBS and SCOPE projects in order to initiate a discussion of our preliminary results.
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Geoarchaeology; an international journal, 2021
This paper reports the results of a recent geological and archaeological survey conducted in the ... more This paper reports the results of a recent geological and archaeological survey conducted in the Sarab district (Sabalan area) in Northwestern Iran. This survey aimed to identify potential obsidian outcrops in the region and to investigate archaeological sites in the vicinity to assess their obsidian exploitation patterns. We located a new obsidian source, Ideloo, and surveyed the previously known archaeological sites of Tepe Qalehjoogh, Kultepe Asbfrooshan, Tepe Emam Chay and Qaleh Tepe Abarghan. Here, we describe the methods and results of our surveys, along with the geochemical characterisation, using portable XRF and LA-ICP-MS, of both the new outcrop and the obsidian artefacts found on the sites. Our analyses have revealed the consumption of Ideloo obsidian on three of the four sites surveyed, confirming its exploitation by local communities. While validating previous assumptions regarding the existence of potential obsidian sources in Northwestern Iran, our study also highlights the consumption of raw materials originating from the Caucasus or Eastern Anatolia in complement to local resources. However, the diffusion of the Ideloo obsidian seems so far restricted to a small area, which suggests more complex consumption and trade patterns than previously expected. K E Y W O R D S Bronze Age, Chalcolithic, lithic economy, local exploitation, Northwestern Iran, obsidian Geoarchaeology. 2020;1-17. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/gea
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International Journal of the Society of Iranian Archaeologists, 2017
2011 and 2012. Third season of excavation continued in August 2014. The survey and excavation yie... more 2011 and 2012. Third season of excavation continued in August 2014. The survey and excavation yielded materials from the Late Bronze and Early Iron Age. Recently, a survey covering 30 ha at the second millennium B.C. site of Zardkhaneh, located near the city of Ahar in the province of Eastern Azerbaijan, brought to light 95 stone burials indicating that Zardkhaneh was a large cemetery, related to the adjacent settlement and defensive fortress. Our preliminary study shows that the large stone graves and kurgan type burials of Zardkhaneh had close connections with the material culture of areas today located in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkey during these periods.
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Documenta Praehistorica XLVI, 2019
During 2007 archaeological survey of Little Zab River in Sardasht district in northwest Iran, six... more During 2007 archaeological survey of Little Zab River in Sardasht district in northwest Iran, six typical Uruk (Uruk-related) sites were brought to light. One of the important ones is Tepe Badamyar Rabat, with typical Bevelled Rim Bowls pottery that is considered as the first evidence of
Uruk materials in northwest Iran. In addition to Rabat, the Uruk materials found in Tepe Baghi, Tepe Waliv, Tepe Molla Yousef, Tepe Lavin and Tepe Goman provide an opportunity for studying the one millennium gap between Hasanlu VIIIA (Pisdeli) and VIIC (Kura-Araxes) in the southern
parts of Lake Urmia, which is seen as a key unknown period in the archaeology of NW Iran. The Uruk evidence found in the mentioned sites mainly belongs to the Middle and Late Uruk periods (3600/3500–3100 BC).
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The site of Kul Tepe is located near the city of Hadishahr, in Eastern Azerbaijan Province. It is... more The site of Kul Tepe is located near the city of Hadishahr, in Eastern Azerbaijan Province. It is an ancient multi-period mound, having an extension of about 6 hectares and rising 19 meters above the surrounding land. The second season of archeological excavations at the site, carried out in 2013, aimed at clarifying its chronology and its settlement organization. In the meantime it aimed at elucidating fundamental questions concerning the transition process from Late Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age, at identifying different cultural horizons (including Proto-Kura-Araxes and Kura-Araxes I periods) and also at outlining cultural conditions of the region during prehistoric and historic periods. The present paper exposes briefly the main stratigraphic, architectural and material data from the site. On the basis of the results from the first and the second seasons of excavation, it is argued that Kul Tepe possessed cultural material pertaining to Late Neolithic/Early Chalcolithic (Dalma), Late Chalcolithic (Pisdeli=LC1; LC2 and LC3=Chaff-faced Ware), Proto-Kura-Araxes and Kura-Araxes I, Early, Middle, Late Bronze Age, Iron III, Urartian and Achaemenid periods.
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A B S T R A C T Excavations at the site of Kul Tepe in the Jolfa region in northwestern Iran have... more A B S T R A C T Excavations at the site of Kul Tepe in the Jolfa region in northwestern Iran have unearthed various archaeological materials from Late Neolithic/Early Chalcolithic to Achaemenid periods (end of 6th millennium to 3rd century BC). During the Chalcolithic and the Bronze Age most lithic tools used in Kul Tepe were made of obsidian. From the first and second excavation seasons, 53 and 32 obsidian samples were selected and analyzed by pXRF. According to the results, the main source of obsidian for the workshops in Kul Tepe was Syunik, but other sources in the Lake Sevan Basin like Ghegam, Bazenk, Choraphor and Gutansar and the Lake Van region (Nemrut Dağ and Meydan Dağ) were utilized also.
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This article presents the preliminary results of the analysis of the obsidian collection from the... more This article presents the preliminary results of the analysis of the obsidian collection from the Chalcolithic settlement of Dava Göz in northwestern Iran. Dava Göz is one of the few settlements in this area that has been excavated using modern techniques, and has provided new information on the development of the communities in the Lake Urmia basin from the sixth to the fourth millennia BCE (5400–3700/3600 BCE), including the Neolithic/Transitional Chalcolithic (Period IA), the Early Chalcolithic (Dalma = Period IB) and the Late Chalcolithic (Pisdeli = LC1 = Period II; Chaff-Faced Ware horizon = LC2 = Period III) phases. The analysis of the settlement's material culture also enables some preliminary conclusions regarding the interactions between the groups situated north of Lake Urmia and the contemporary Caucasian cultures, as well as with those located farther west and south, in eastern Anatolia and in the Syro-Mesopotamian region. The characterization of 126 artifacts from three periods using a portable XRF machine indicates throughout the phases that changes occurred in procurement activity. In the earlier phases (Transitional Chalcolithic and Dalma), procurement more closely resembles a polysource pattern, dominated by one main obsidian outcrop and complemented by several, less represented sources of that raw material. This pattern however appears to change in the later phase of the site's occupation (LC2/CFW) where a clear domination of one obsidian source is represented. This development could be connected to a disruption in procurement networks and most probably in transhumance patterns as well.
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New studies on prehistoric obsidian artifacts and their provenance have been published by Iranian... more New studies on prehistoric obsidian artifacts and their provenance have been published by Iranian and international researchers during recent years, which showed, that some obsidian tools might have come from an unknown source located in Iran (perhaps Sahand or Sabalan Mountains). The aim of this paper is to discuss recently discovered obsidian sources in northwest Iran. After a brief introduction of recent obsidian studies in Iran the paper addresses some recent filed work and the geochemical analyses of samples from these surveys (from Tajaraq near Miyaneh and Ghizilja near Bostababad in the Bozghoosh Mountains) by using portable ED-XRF analysis. The results suggest that three major obsidian groups can be distinguished, which are classified as group A and B of Tajaraq besides a single group of Ghizilja. The implications of the new results are discussed along with actual limitations and future research directions.
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Obsidian artifacts is frequently used materials in prehistory and found widely in archaeological ... more Obsidian artifacts is frequently used materials in prehistory and found widely in archaeological sites. Provenance studies of obsidian has been an issue of intense research and debate between archaeologists and geologists. Since different provenance studies has been carried out from 1960s up to 2015 in Anatolia and Caucasus but obsidian studies in Iran is in very early stage and consider as terra incognita. Recent research on obsidian mines in Iran accompanying by prehistoric obsidian provenance studies give this opportunity to establish of a database, as well as outlining a horizon and perspective for obsidian studies in Iran. This paper will try to discuss about old and new researches on obsidian studies in Iran. After a brief introduction of obsidian studies in Anatolia and Caucasus by Renfrew, Cann and Dixon, the paper addresses some recent researches that took place concerning obsidian provenance studies in Iran. The implications of the findings will discuss along with limitations and future research directions.
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This paper discusses the nature of Dalma and Pisdeli cultures, their regional and interregional i... more This paper discusses the nature of Dalma and Pisdeli cultures, their regional and interregional
interactions and expansions in 5th millennium BC. It discusses old and new excavations and
surveys as well. According to the importance of the material from these periods found at newly-excavated
sites such as Kul Tepe Jolfa, Dava Göz Khoy, Lavin Tepe, and Qosha Tepe, we briefly describe
the main stratigraphic and material data from these sites. Old and new data from excavations and
surveys eventually lead us to a new chronological table for the 5th millennium BC in north/western
(NW) Iran. The implications of the finds are discussed along with their limitations and future research
directions.
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Antiquity, Aug 1, 2014
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Paleorient, Jun 2015
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Documenta Praehistorica, 2019
During 2007 archaeological survey of Little Zab River in Sardasht district in northwest Iran, six... more During 2007 archaeological survey of Little Zab River in Sardasht district in northwest Iran, six typical Uruk (Uruk-related) sites were brought to light. One of the important ones is Tepe Badamyar Rabat, with typical Bevelled Rim Bowls pottery that is considered as the first evidence of Uruk materials in northwest Iran. In addition to Rabat, the Uruk materials found in Tepe Baghi, Tepe Waliv, Tepe Molla Yousef, Tepe Lavin and Tepe Goman provide an opportunity for studying the one millennium gap between Hasanlu VIIIA (Pisdeli) and VIIC (Kura-Araxes) in the southern parts of Lake Urmia, which is seen as a key unknown period in the archaeology of NW Iran. The Uruk evidence found in the mentioned sites mainly belongs to the Middle and Late Uruk periods (3600/3500–3100 BC).
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Tapeh Qal'eh-ye-Sarsakhti is located between the Central Iranian Plateau and the Zagros Mountains... more Tapeh Qal'eh-ye-Sarsakhti is located between the Central Iranian Plateau and the Zagros Mountains, specifically in the entrance threshold to the Central Iranian Plateau from the eastern part of Central Zagros. It is a rich site including several periods: late Neolithic, Middle and Late Chalcolithic, Early and Middle Bronze Age, Parthian and eventually the Seljuk era. According to surveys conducted in the Central Zagros and in the Central Iranian Plateau, Tapeh Qal'eh-ye-Sarsakhti appears to be one of the southeastern-most extensions of the Kura-Araxes and the eastern sphere of Dalma Culture influence in the Central Iranian Plateau and East Central Zagros. Here, we trace the nature of the arrival of these cultures to the East Central Zagros and Central Iranian Plateau, as well as the role this area played in transferring of these cultures from east to west, north to south and vice versa.
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Archaeozoology of the Near East XII, Proceedings of the 12th International Symposium of the ICAZ Archaeozoology of Southwest Asia and Adjacent Areas Working Group, 2018
The Early Bronze Age in north-western Iran and adjacent regions is known for the Kura-Araxes or E... more The Early Bronze Age in north-western Iran and adjacent regions is known for the Kura-Araxes or Early Trans-Caucasian Culture, spreading through the Caucasus and the Lake Urmia Basin. The subsistence economy during this important period is not well known, especially in Iran. This paper deals with the characterization of Kura-Araxes herding strategies by examining the faunal remains from six settlements (Tepe Hasanlu, Kul Tepe, Haftavan Tepe, Kohnehh Tepesi, Kohneh Pasgah Tepesi and Ovçular Tepesi). The results indicate that all these settlements shared similar herding strategies. The exploitation of animal resources was mainly based on domestic ruminants.
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International Journal of the Society of Iranian Archaeologists, 2017
The first and second seasons of extensive survey and excavation at Zardkhaneh were carried out du... more The first and second seasons of extensive survey and excavation at Zardkhaneh were carried out during June-August 2011 and 2012. Third season of excavation continued in August 2014. The survey and excavation yielded materials from the Late Bronze and Early Iron Age. Recently, a survey covering 30 ha at the second millennium b.c. site of Zardkhaneh, located near the city of Ahar in the province of Eastern Azerbaijan, brought to light 95 stone burials indicating that Zardkhaneh was a large cemetery, related to the adjacent settlement and defensive fortress. Our preliminary study shows that the large stone graves and kurgan type burials of Zardkhaneh had close connections with the material culture of areas today located in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkey during these periods.
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New studies on prehistoric obsidian artifacts and their provenance have been published by Iranian... more New studies on prehistoric obsidian artifacts and their provenance have been published by Iranian and international researchers during recent years, which showed, that some obsidian tools might have come from an unknown source located in Iran (perhaps Sahand or Sabalan Mountains). The aim of this paper is to discuss recently discovered obsidian sources in northwest Iran. After a brief introduction of recent obsidian studies in Iran the paper addresses some recent filed work and the geochemical analyses of samples from these surveys (from Tajaraq near Miyaneh and Ghizilja near Bostababad in the Bozghoosh Mountains) by using portable ED-XRF analysis. The results suggest that three major obsidian groups can be distinguished, which are classified as group A and B of Tajaraq besides a single group of Ghizilja. The implications of the new results are discussed along with actual limitations and future research directions.
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Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry, 2019
Southeastern Iran consists of several different geographical zones. Archaeologically, Halil Rud B... more Southeastern Iran consists of several different geographical zones. Archaeologically, Halil Rud Basin is one of the most important parts of the region. This little known basin includes two different geological parts, highlands and lowlands. This dichotomy was to cause interactions between the two areas. The evidence for interactions between the highland mobile pastoralists and lowland urban centers in the urban phase of the 3 rd Millennium BCE in Southeastern Iran has been elusive. However, it is supposed that scattered highland settlements have played a very subservient role in developing the cultural landscape of the region during this period. In May-June 2012, an archaeological project was carried out by one of the authors (NE) at the area of Hanzaf Dam in the highlands of Halil Rud Basin. This paper deals with the results of the project that includes excavations at two Bronze Age pastoral sites, and destroyed cemetery dating back to the Bronze Age. Furthermore, it attempts to present the strategy of pastoralism in the Halil Rud basin based on the ethno-archaeological studies. Finally, we suggest that the pastoral societies had a main role in the prehistoric economic landscape of the Halil River Valley by exploiting the natural resources (instance; copper).
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Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry, 2020
In this work, strontium stable isotopes and trace elements analysis were used for assessment of m... more In this work, strontium stable isotopes and trace elements analysis were used for assessment of migration phenomena in five human skeletons, found in 2017 in Tepe Silveh excavation in Piranshahr, northwestern Iran. On the basis of the associated findings, these skeletons belong more likely to the Millde Islamic Periods (Seljuk era). Due to the proximity of the site to the Iran, Iraq and Turkey boundaries, this study, as the first investigation about the likely migration of the ancient occupants of this region, is of a high importance. The elemental content of both tooth and bone samples of the skeletons was analyzed by ICP-MS technique and the strontium isotopes ratio (87 Sr/ 86 Sr) and trace elements ratio (Ba/Ca and Sr/Ca) were obtained to address whether these skeletons are local or non-local. The results of strontium isotope analysis (87 Sr/ 86 Sr) showed that all the samples could be considered as non-local, where the isotopic ratios were out of local range (local mean ± 2SD). Moreover, the results of trace elements analysis proved the strontium isotope results, where the difference between the ratio of Ba/Ca and Sr/Ca in tooth enamel and bone shows the possible non-local nature of the skeletons, or in other words, it could be said surely that these people have spent their childhood in different places.
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Archaeometry, 2021
Recent archaeological research has highlighted the potential role of mobile pastoral groups in th... more Recent archaeological research has highlighted the potential role of mobile pastoral groups in the diffusion of raw materials and technological innovations between the southern Caucasus and northwestern Iran from the Neolithic onwards. Two successive projects, PAST-OBS and SCOPE, were designed to explore this hypothesis through the study of obsidian consumption patterns from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age using a flexible analytical strategy that considerably extends the scale of obsidian studies in these regions. By focusing on the exploitation
of obsidian at multiple levels—local, regional and interregional—we hope to unravel the complexity of the obsidian networks under study. The aim of this paper is to present (1) a reassessment of the work so far carried out by previous obsidian studies, with a view to homogenizing and to clarifying the nomenclature in use; and (2) an introduction to the PAST-OBS and SCOPE projects in order to initiate a discussion of our preliminary results.
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Geoarchaeology; an international journal, 2021
This paper reports the results of a recent geological and archaeological survey conducted in the ... more This paper reports the results of a recent geological and archaeological survey conducted in the Sarab district (Sabalan area) in Northwestern Iran. This survey aimed to identify potential obsidian outcrops in the region and to investigate archaeological sites in the vicinity to assess their obsidian exploitation patterns. We located a new obsidian source, Ideloo, and surveyed the previously known archaeological sites of Tepe Qalehjoogh, Kultepe Asbfrooshan, Tepe Emam Chay and Qaleh Tepe Abarghan. Here, we describe the methods and results of our surveys, along with the geochemical characterisation, using portable XRF and LA-ICP-MS, of both the new outcrop and the obsidian artefacts found on the sites. Our analyses have revealed the consumption of Ideloo obsidian on three of the four sites surveyed, confirming its exploitation by local communities. While validating previous assumptions regarding the existence of potential obsidian sources in Northwestern Iran, our study also highlights the consumption of raw materials originating from the Caucasus or Eastern Anatolia in complement to local resources. However, the diffusion of the Ideloo obsidian seems so far restricted to a small area, which suggests more complex consumption and trade patterns than previously expected. K E Y W O R D S Bronze Age, Chalcolithic, lithic economy, local exploitation, Northwestern Iran, obsidian Geoarchaeology. 2020;1-17. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/gea
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International Journal of the Society of Iranian Archaeologists, 2017
2011 and 2012. Third season of excavation continued in August 2014. The survey and excavation yie... more 2011 and 2012. Third season of excavation continued in August 2014. The survey and excavation yielded materials from the Late Bronze and Early Iron Age. Recently, a survey covering 30 ha at the second millennium B.C. site of Zardkhaneh, located near the city of Ahar in the province of Eastern Azerbaijan, brought to light 95 stone burials indicating that Zardkhaneh was a large cemetery, related to the adjacent settlement and defensive fortress. Our preliminary study shows that the large stone graves and kurgan type burials of Zardkhaneh had close connections with the material culture of areas today located in Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkey during these periods.
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Documenta Praehistorica XLVI, 2019
During 2007 archaeological survey of Little Zab River in Sardasht district in northwest Iran, six... more During 2007 archaeological survey of Little Zab River in Sardasht district in northwest Iran, six typical Uruk (Uruk-related) sites were brought to light. One of the important ones is Tepe Badamyar Rabat, with typical Bevelled Rim Bowls pottery that is considered as the first evidence of
Uruk materials in northwest Iran. In addition to Rabat, the Uruk materials found in Tepe Baghi, Tepe Waliv, Tepe Molla Yousef, Tepe Lavin and Tepe Goman provide an opportunity for studying the one millennium gap between Hasanlu VIIIA (Pisdeli) and VIIC (Kura-Araxes) in the southern
parts of Lake Urmia, which is seen as a key unknown period in the archaeology of NW Iran. The Uruk evidence found in the mentioned sites mainly belongs to the Middle and Late Uruk periods (3600/3500–3100 BC).
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The site of Kul Tepe is located near the city of Hadishahr, in Eastern Azerbaijan Province. It is... more The site of Kul Tepe is located near the city of Hadishahr, in Eastern Azerbaijan Province. It is an ancient multi-period mound, having an extension of about 6 hectares and rising 19 meters above the surrounding land. The second season of archeological excavations at the site, carried out in 2013, aimed at clarifying its chronology and its settlement organization. In the meantime it aimed at elucidating fundamental questions concerning the transition process from Late Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age, at identifying different cultural horizons (including Proto-Kura-Araxes and Kura-Araxes I periods) and also at outlining cultural conditions of the region during prehistoric and historic periods. The present paper exposes briefly the main stratigraphic, architectural and material data from the site. On the basis of the results from the first and the second seasons of excavation, it is argued that Kul Tepe possessed cultural material pertaining to Late Neolithic/Early Chalcolithic (Dalma), Late Chalcolithic (Pisdeli=LC1; LC2 and LC3=Chaff-faced Ware), Proto-Kura-Araxes and Kura-Araxes I, Early, Middle, Late Bronze Age, Iron III, Urartian and Achaemenid periods.
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A B S T R A C T Excavations at the site of Kul Tepe in the Jolfa region in northwestern Iran have... more A B S T R A C T Excavations at the site of Kul Tepe in the Jolfa region in northwestern Iran have unearthed various archaeological materials from Late Neolithic/Early Chalcolithic to Achaemenid periods (end of 6th millennium to 3rd century BC). During the Chalcolithic and the Bronze Age most lithic tools used in Kul Tepe were made of obsidian. From the first and second excavation seasons, 53 and 32 obsidian samples were selected and analyzed by pXRF. According to the results, the main source of obsidian for the workshops in Kul Tepe was Syunik, but other sources in the Lake Sevan Basin like Ghegam, Bazenk, Choraphor and Gutansar and the Lake Van region (Nemrut Dağ and Meydan Dağ) were utilized also.
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This article presents the preliminary results of the analysis of the obsidian collection from the... more This article presents the preliminary results of the analysis of the obsidian collection from the Chalcolithic settlement of Dava Göz in northwestern Iran. Dava Göz is one of the few settlements in this area that has been excavated using modern techniques, and has provided new information on the development of the communities in the Lake Urmia basin from the sixth to the fourth millennia BCE (5400–3700/3600 BCE), including the Neolithic/Transitional Chalcolithic (Period IA), the Early Chalcolithic (Dalma = Period IB) and the Late Chalcolithic (Pisdeli = LC1 = Period II; Chaff-Faced Ware horizon = LC2 = Period III) phases. The analysis of the settlement's material culture also enables some preliminary conclusions regarding the interactions between the groups situated north of Lake Urmia and the contemporary Caucasian cultures, as well as with those located farther west and south, in eastern Anatolia and in the Syro-Mesopotamian region. The characterization of 126 artifacts from three periods using a portable XRF machine indicates throughout the phases that changes occurred in procurement activity. In the earlier phases (Transitional Chalcolithic and Dalma), procurement more closely resembles a polysource pattern, dominated by one main obsidian outcrop and complemented by several, less represented sources of that raw material. This pattern however appears to change in the later phase of the site's occupation (LC2/CFW) where a clear domination of one obsidian source is represented. This development could be connected to a disruption in procurement networks and most probably in transhumance patterns as well.
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New studies on prehistoric obsidian artifacts and their provenance have been published by Iranian... more New studies on prehistoric obsidian artifacts and their provenance have been published by Iranian and international researchers during recent years, which showed, that some obsidian tools might have come from an unknown source located in Iran (perhaps Sahand or Sabalan Mountains). The aim of this paper is to discuss recently discovered obsidian sources in northwest Iran. After a brief introduction of recent obsidian studies in Iran the paper addresses some recent filed work and the geochemical analyses of samples from these surveys (from Tajaraq near Miyaneh and Ghizilja near Bostababad in the Bozghoosh Mountains) by using portable ED-XRF analysis. The results suggest that three major obsidian groups can be distinguished, which are classified as group A and B of Tajaraq besides a single group of Ghizilja. The implications of the new results are discussed along with actual limitations and future research directions.
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Obsidian artifacts is frequently used materials in prehistory and found widely in archaeological ... more Obsidian artifacts is frequently used materials in prehistory and found widely in archaeological sites. Provenance studies of obsidian has been an issue of intense research and debate between archaeologists and geologists. Since different provenance studies has been carried out from 1960s up to 2015 in Anatolia and Caucasus but obsidian studies in Iran is in very early stage and consider as terra incognita. Recent research on obsidian mines in Iran accompanying by prehistoric obsidian provenance studies give this opportunity to establish of a database, as well as outlining a horizon and perspective for obsidian studies in Iran. This paper will try to discuss about old and new researches on obsidian studies in Iran. After a brief introduction of obsidian studies in Anatolia and Caucasus by Renfrew, Cann and Dixon, the paper addresses some recent researches that took place concerning obsidian provenance studies in Iran. The implications of the findings will discuss along with limitations and future research directions.
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This paper discusses the nature of Dalma and Pisdeli cultures, their regional and interregional i... more This paper discusses the nature of Dalma and Pisdeli cultures, their regional and interregional
interactions and expansions in 5th millennium BC. It discusses old and new excavations and
surveys as well. According to the importance of the material from these periods found at newly-excavated
sites such as Kul Tepe Jolfa, Dava Göz Khoy, Lavin Tepe, and Qosha Tepe, we briefly describe
the main stratigraphic and material data from these sites. Old and new data from excavations and
surveys eventually lead us to a new chronological table for the 5th millennium BC in north/western
(NW) Iran. The implications of the finds are discussed along with their limitations and future research
directions.
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Antiquity, Aug 1, 2014
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Paleorient, Jun 2015
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The first "International Symposium on the Archaeology and Archaeometry of the Chalcolithic and th... more The first "International Symposium on the Archaeology and Archaeometry of the Chalcolithic and the Bronze Ages in the Northwest Iran and the South Caucasus" held in Department of Archaeology and Archaeometry of Tabriz Islamic Art University, 16-19 September, 2017. The symposium mainly aims to establish good basement for scientific research in both north-western Iran and South Caucasus. After beginning of archaeological field projects in Nakhchivan region in Azerbaijan and according to close cultural, socio-economic relation with north-western Iran now it seems the scholars of these regions should be share their findings and results for better understanding of cultural situation of the region. Plenty of activities have been carried out concerning Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Ages (Kura-Araxes Culture) of Near and Middle East specially in Iraq, Turkey and Syria but Nakhchivan and north-western Iran considered as terra incognita in archaeological studies. With new projects have begun in Nakhichevan region and Southern Caucasus in one hand and north-western Iran in the other this symposium jointly organized by Tabriz Islamic Art University along with German Archaeological Institute (DAI) Tehran Branch and CNRS (Lyon 2 University) for sharing new field projects and new results for establishing new possibilities for the research of both region's scholars in Iran and Nakhchivan region. New archaeological field research in north-western Iran brought to light important materials and now all of them are ready for study in laboratories of Tabriz Islamic Art University. According to archaeometry department in Tabriz there is also this possibility for establishing archaeometrical basement for the study of Chalcolithic and Bronze Age materials in Tabriz Islamic Art University.
Tabriz Islamic Art University has organized and held two national and one international symposiums on the application of scientific analyses to archaeometry and the conservation of cultural heritage. The university is just to convene the joint "International Symposium on the Archaeology and Archaeometry of the Chalcolithic and the Bronze Ages in the Northwest Iran and the South Caucasus".
I would like to thanks everybody to help us for organizing and holding this symposium. Special thanks go to Dr. Judith Thomalsky (DAI) for coordination of symposium and close cooperation with Department of Archaeology and Archaeometry of Tabriz Islamic Art University. I would like to thank Dr. Key Nejad, Dr. Mohammadzadeh, Dr. Kasiri, Dr. Chubak, Dr. Omrani and M. Abdar for cooperation in the holding of the symposium.
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