New Archeological Findings in Abu Musa Island in the Persian Gulf

Conducting archeological studies is the first step towards learning about the history of the presence of human beings in a small or large geographical area. Archeological excavations are usually conducted for general and salvage purposes and benefit from questionnaires. The sampling process is often times performed following the random, systematic, and general or intensive survey methods. Accordingly, the first season of the exploration and investigation of Abu Musa Island was done in autumn 2002. Previously, other archeological groups had made great efforts in order to achieve the same purpose, but they failed. The intensive survey of this island was conducted in a little more than one third of its area. In fact, because of failing to receive the required permit from the government and military organs, the researchers could not visit the two Lesser and Greater Tunbs islands. Therefore, it was not possible to carry out a complete archeological study of Abu Musa Island, which limited the surveyed site to specific spots. Through studying more than one third of the area of Abu Musa Island, the archeological group managed to identify and document eight archeological findings including seven sites and a building belonging to the second Pahlavi king, which, given the small size of the studied area, are quite noteworthy. To clarify the geographical location of the studied areas, it is necessary to emphasize that some large areas in the north, center (because of the location of the airport), and south (known as the Arab-residence district) of the island were not explored, and the identified sites are only limited to some small areas in the center, west, and east of the island. The results of initial studies indicate that the found samples include some pottery of the type belonging to the pseudo-prehistoric period, as suggested by the Ilkhanid period, until the Safavid era and, perhaps, Qajar periods; some blue and white Safavid and Qajar Chinese and faience pottery; some torpedo jars related to the late Sassanid period and early Islamic period, and some pottery similar to those of the first millennium (BC). Therefore, the suggested chronology of this island based on the conducted survey studies will be in the time interval given above, which highlights the necessity of further research in this regard more than ever before.