اکبر عابدی

This article, with the aim of enumerating and formulating political strategies and considering the essential role of Syria in strengthening the resistance front, seeks to answer the basic question, what are the political strategies of the Islamic Republic of Iran to deal with Takfiri groups in Syria? In this regard, the type of research in this article is "developmental-applied" and the case-field method has been used. The sample size of the statistical population for qualitative data was determined by the purposeful homogeneous, heterogeneous and snowball methods until saturation, and considering the specialization of the research subject and the limited availability of experts to meet the scientific needs of the research, fifty people were selected. The full form has been determined. To collect information, interview method and researcher-made questionnaires were used, and to check the validity of the questionnaire, the opinions of experts in the field of study were used, and Cronbach's alpha was used to check the reliability of the questionnaire. After obtaining the opinions of the statistical community, data analysis has been done using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques and methods. Finally, with regard to the four categories of strategies counted in the SWOT matrix (WT, WO, ST, SO) and the compilation of propositions for the basis of the elements of strategy formulation, we reached three strategies as the main political strategies of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Syria.

There are few animal remains collections of Early Chalcolithic or Dalma in northwest Iran, yet a small part of them have been under zooarchaeological studies. Therefore, our knowledge about subsistence mechanisms and their possible patterns in Chalcolithic communities needs to be improved. This study on the vertebrate remains of Early Chalcolithic period in Tepe Silveh, Piranshahr, indicates multiple animal exploitation mechanisms in subsistence activities. The results show that, in the 5th millennium BC in this area, the subsistence economy was based on the exploitation of domesticated species such as Capra hircus, Ovis aries and Bos taurus. The largest set of animal remains found in Early Chalcolithic layers of this area is Ovis aries. A little evidence for the presence of wild animals such as Dama mesopotemica, Gazella subgutturosa, Testudines and Equidae has also been found. The less abundant bone remains of wild animals compared to domesticated animals, can indicate that hunting was probably less preferable than animal husbandry in the area. On the other hand, according to the time of death estimation, the cows were slaughtered in their adulthood and sheep in their pre-adulthood and adulthood. These multiple exploitation mechanisms can represent different ways of animal exploitations (as draft animals, their meat and secondary products), increasing of human skills in adapting to the environment and controlling animals, paleoclimate, as well as how the human population was balanced in the Northern Zagros ecosystem in the 5th millennium BC.

Tepe "Chay" (1181 m asl) is a small site with an area of less than one hectare in and a height of 1 meter above the surrounding fertile lands, which is located 2.5 km southwest of Dizajdiz town and 10 km southeast of Khoy. The first season of excavation at the site was carried out in July and August of 2021 in order to delimit the site, to ascertain its exact extent as well as conduct soundings of the stratigraphy of the site to better understand its phasing, periodization and chronology. In this regard, nine test trenches were excavated in different parts of the site; of these, only three test trenches were located within the site’s limits and the rest were off-site. Based on the delimiting soundings the exact extent of the site was 7468 square meters. A stratigraphic trench (TR.10) was also excavated in the southwestern part of Tepe Chay and in total, 7.4 m of architectural, layers and cultural deposits were identified; virgin soil was reached at a depth of 8 meters. According to the typology of pottery obtained from the layers and their comparison with other sites of northwestern Iran, the a relative chronology of the site consists of four settlement phases belonging to 1) the Early Chalcolithic (Dalma culture) (Tepe Chay I); 2) Late Chalcolithic 1 (Pisdeli) (Tepe Chay II); 3) Late Chalcolithic 2 (Chaff-Faced Ware) (Tepe Chay III); and 4) Late Chalcolithic 3 (Chaff-Tempered with comb-design and perforated manqals). Futhermore a Kura-Araxes I (Tepe Chay IV) component is suggested for the sequence of the site. During the excavation, no cultural interruption or gap was observed between Late Chalcolithic and Kura-Araxes layers, and the evidence indicates a continuity and transition between these two periods. It is therefore possible that the Kura-Araxesian, like the Kul Tepe Hadishahr, originates from Late Chalcolithic society of Tepe Chay. Therefore, according to the results of the excavations of Tepe Chay as well as the excavations of Kul Tepe, Dozdaghi Khoy, Tepe Gijlar and Geoy Tepe, perhaps northwestern Iran can be introduced as one of the core centers for the formation of early stages of the Kura-Araxes culture. Evidence from the excavation also suggests a function of trade with neighboring areas, especially the prehistoric obsidian and salt trade for Tepe Chay.

Qarehdagh region and Ahar city, which is located in East Azerbaijan (northwest of Iran), has different ancient sites and cultures. Archaeological studies and chronological table of northwest of Iran have been formed mostly based on archaeological data of the Urmia Lake Basin and extended to other regions of northwest of Iran and the position of other regions, including Qarahdagh region unknown in its cultural sequence remains. Since this area is located among the South Caucasus region, Moghan plain and the Lake Urmia basins of and Ghezel Ozan, it can play an important role in explaining and distinguishing the Neolithic, Chalcolithic periods of the region. And together with the comparison and analysis of recently obtained archaeological data of the region, present a relatively novel result. In order to understand the prehistoric cultures of the region (cultural periods), the following questions are raised: 1- How the chronological sequence of this region is explained according to cultural periods? The main hypothesis related to this question is the existence of Late Neolithic periods and Late Chalcolithic 2-3 (LC2-3) in the Ahar basin; 2- Which cultural features are understood from the common and uncommon cultural elements links (cultural interactions) of the northwest of Iran, including the Moghan plain and the other regions in terms of archaeological data and chronology of the mentioned periods? The present study has been carried out using descriptive-analytical study of archaeological data and data collection is based on field surveys and library studies with the aim of clarifying cultural horizons, the period of residence in the sites and completing the chronological table of the area. As a final point, it can be said that the pottery of the mentioned periods shows similarities with other regions of northwest of Iran, especially with the Urmia Lake basin. Due to the vast dimensions of the studied sites and other archaeological data, it is inferred that the settlements were seasonal and probably used limited by ranchers and nomadic communities.

Archeology is the scientific study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of the remained material culture. The prerequisite for the development of archeological knowledge in the country is access to equipped laboratories, hiring experienced specialists, and expanding national, and international cooperation. Due to rapid advances in instrumental analysis, relevant people in the fields of art and archeometry should be aware of the advantages and limitations of different types of instrumental analysis. In this paper, facilities and research opportunities in analytical archeometry using natural science in Iran are presented and discussed. To introduce the technical capacities of the country in this field, the available equipment and facilities for performing nuclear analysis techniques and their related data analysis are investigated. Moreover, to identify the materials used in the cultural heritage samples and to determine their origin, characterization of some of these samples has been done using nuclear analysis methods. The activities performed in this research include X-ray and neutron imaging of the structure of an ancient jar belonging to the early Qajar period, elemental analysis of miniature in an ancient manuscript using elemental analysis method, investigation of the golden threads in the precious carpet belonging to the Safavid period using elemental and structural, and elemental analysis of luster tiles belonging to the Kashan using elemental analysis. The results of this research show that the existing technical capacities in the country can provide new opportunities for archeologists to understand the nature of the cultural heritage samples in more depth and to provide more accurate analysis of the investigated samples.

Ahranjan Tepe is one of the most prominent Neolithic sites located in the northwest of Iran which was speculated with making 30 speculations to recognize the extent of historical monuments around there, determine the area, compile a map of the width of the area, and organize the area to consider it as work of a museum park.  The results showed that despite the apparent area of the area remaining an area of 1300 m2, the actual area of the area was 2.6 hectares, a large part of which was destroyed because of wind erosion, rainfall, farmers' contravention, construction of residential houses, and so on. One of the most important questions related to this area is how it communicates and interacts regionally and transregionally with neighboring areas, which will be discussed. It is assumed that due to the location of the area in a strategic position and a highway connecting it, on the one hand, with the South Caucasus and eastern Anatolia and, on the other hand, with the central plateau and south of Lake Urmia, has been formed for commercial and cultural exchanges. Obsidian stones and their diversity in seven different colors and mother stones on their surface reinforce this claim. In this study, the findings of speculating are studied and topologized. Therefore, it shows that, in this area, the most primitive human community is formed, and inventions and innovations in fields of agriculture, animal husbandry, tool industries, and commerce are formed with neighboring regions. Regarding, most of the speculations which have been made near Ahranjan Neolithic layers the area of 2.6 hectares of this area in the Neolithic period testifies to the existence of one of the most important Neolithic centers in this part of northwestern Iran, along with Qarah Tappeh form areas before Haji Firuz.

Accounting for only a rather limited part of northwestern Iran, the Zab basin has historically assumed a prominent, strategic role as a bridge between Mesopotamia and the Lake Urmia Basin. The Zab region has not received due scholarly attention notwithstanding its great importance to the Early Bronze Age (EBA) research, in particular the regional developments characterizing the Late Chalcolithic-Early Bronze transition. As a crossroads, northwest Iran links Mesopotamia to Caucasia on the one hand and the regions to the north to the central Iranian plateau on the other, hence its important place in archaeology of Iran and the broader Middle East. Meanwhile, the Zab basin as the home for the major lines of communication linking southern Mesopotamia to the Urmia Lake basin and thence the mineral rich region of Caucasia is of great importance. Thus, an inquiry into local cultural developments, viz. the spread of cultural contacts in the ancient Near East, at the onset of the Bronze Age, is vital.

Northwest of Lake Urmia, which includes seven cities: Salmas, Khoy, Garaziaadin, Chaldoran, Showt, Poldasht and Maku; It is located on the south bank of the Aras River. Due to the geographical conditions and communication route between the South Caucasus, Eastern Anatolia, the Central Plateau and the south of Lake Urmia, as well as suitable environmental capacities, has been the basis for the presence of human societies in different historical and cultural periods.Although the southern basin of Lake Urmia has been the subject of archaeological studies since the 19th century, the northern part of it, which has many capabilities and capabilities, has not been studied scientifically and the lack of scientific and methodical research in prehistoric times, especially Chalcolithic period is very noticeable. Considering that the set of environmental factors play an important role in the formation and spatial distribution of human societies in different cultural eras, it seems that human interactions with the environment in the northwestern basin of Lake Urmia show a different perspective. The present study for the first time will explain the settlement and cultural patterns of 21 Chalcolithic settlements and sites in the northwestern basin of Lake Urmia, which will suggest the time span from the beginning of the fifth to the middle of fourth millennium BC. The most important research question is what role and effect have environmental factors had on the formation, distribution and cultural interaction of copper and stone settlements in the northwest of Lake Urmia? In this regard, environmental factors such as altitude, climate, water resources, geology, roads and direction and the slope of the earth in relation to 21 Chalcolithic settlements were analyzed using the Geographic Information System (GIS) and the results showed that the most fundamental environmental factors in the formation and cultural interaction of Chalcolithic sites and settlements in this basin are three factors: "access to permanent water resources", "altitude" and "communication routs". The three factors indicate the dependence on water resources in a linear fashion, dependence on the field of land and plains for agriculture and dependence on transportation routes for trade.

Hasanlu archaeological joint project in partnership with Iranian-American archaeologist is the one of the rare long-term archaeological projects carried out in northwest of Iran. In the process of this project (1957-1978), the layers from the Neolithic period to the historical period have been excavated. The Seventh period of Hasanlu Tepe is contemporary of early bronze age and the beginning of massive economic and social mutation in the cultural developments context of Middle East. Cultural materials of this period in Hasanlu Tepe have illuminated the obvious cultural differentiation between southern area of Urmia lake and the whole of Iran northwest region. Although the short report on this period material have been published, but there is still very little awareness on this period around the pottery types and its distribution, burial traditions and relationship between neighbors. Therefore, the present study intends to introduce the general characteristics of the culture of the seventh period of Hasanlu by referring to the findings of Hasanlu project and other excavations carried out in this area. cultural materials of this period illuminates that during the third millennium BC, there have been a distinguished socio-cultural zone from the Kura-Araxes area with painted Orange and Red pottery characteristic in the southern part of Lake Urmia to the southern slopes of Sahand Mountains. Which on the one hand interacted with northern Mesopotamia in west and on the other hand interacted with the Kura-Araxes communities in whole of north, eastern and southern area.

Recent archaeological discoveries in the Halilrud valley (Kerman province, Iran), especially at the Site of Varamin and Konar Sandal of Jiroft,  brought to light a hitherto unknown culture, the so-called “Jiroft civilization,” which generally dates back to the third millennium BC. Jiroft became famous between 2002/2003 when thousands of confiscated burial goods, especially elaborated carved chlorite vessels, from a dozen looted necropolises of Halil Rud impacted the media. Consequently, many scholars paid attention to Jiroft; some stated that Jiroft could be the “the lost civilization” between Mesopotamia and Indus valley. Some referred to it as the core of the production and probability distribution of the already known chlorite artifacts, the so-called “intercultural style.” Moreover, some pinpointed the toponym of MarhaŠi to Jiroft. In this paper, we will attempt to examine the Jiroft or Marhashi Civilization from a historical perspective based on the Mesopotamian cuneiform texts and the archaeological evidence. Importantly, our research indicated that Jiroft and Southern Mesopotamia were closely linked before the first appearance of Marhashi in the cuneiform texts (during the time of the Akkadian Sargon).

One of the important questions of archaeology is the study of the mobility and immigration of human groups. A common method for addressing these issues is to refer to the artifacts and archaeological findings left behind by the earlier cultures and to compare the forms, motifs, and production methods used among various ancient cultures, and hence, to explore the relationships and cultural exchanges between the societies. But, in the last three decades, the analysis of strontium isotopes in human tooth and bone samples (and even animals) has made it possible to study ancient immigration using a new method. According to the results of scientific researches, 87Sr/86Sr in each region is different due to the geological complications and the genus and stony sediments with 87Sr/86Sr of other regions. By measuring 87Sr/86Sr in bone and skeletal samples and comparing it with the average 87Sr/86Sr geological ratio in the region, the samples of the studied skeletons can be either indigenous or migratory. Since the people of the Piranshahr area in Iran have still traffic to the cities of Erbil and Sulaimaniyah in Iraq, and according to the studies, most villagers from Silveh village migrated to this region during the past century from the Iraqi Kurdistan, the immigration study of skeletons found in Tepe Silveh archaeological site could be interesting. The purpose of this study was to use the analysis of stable isotopes of strontium of the teeth and bone samples of skeletons obtained from the archaeological site of Tepe Silveh, Piranshahr, in order to determine their native or migratory nature. Tepe Silveh or as villager named “Tepe Sheikh Esmail Silveh” (N: 36° 48chr('39') 099chr('39')chr('39') – E: 45° 05chr('39') 937chr('39')chr('39') – altitude: 1567 m) is located exactly 100 m north of the Silveh village. Tepe Silveh is located in the center of intermountain river valley on the northern margin of the village, which has already been demolished and abandoned. As explained above, the reason for the destruction of the village was the sinking in the basin of the Silveh Dam. Seven Excavation trenches in Tepe Silveh have revealed, important materials from Early Chalcolithic Dalma (5000 BC) culture, Late Chalcolithic, Early Bronze Age culture of Hasan Ali or Nineveh V (3500- 2700 BC), Iron Age and Parthian periods. After a gap, Tepe Silveh have re-settled during Millde Islamic Periods (Seljuk era) and continued up to the late Islamic Period. According to the important location of Tepe Silveh and different occupation of the site deformation from Early Chalcolithic Dalma period to Islamic era, it should be suggested as a particularly important case study of migration, because it has been active and dynamic during different periods. Proximity of the site to the Iran, Iraq and Turkey adds to the importance of this study. To achieve this, the 87Sr/86Sr of the samples was measured. By comparing the ratio of strontium isotopes, it was possible to determine whether the samples were indigenous or migratory. The results obtained showed the different proportions in the analysis of strontium isotope, so that all samples could be considered non-native. Of course, this comment is only expressed on the basis of these five skeletons, and more specimens and analysis are needed to comment on the archaeological site of Piranshahr.

The distribution and trade of pottery from Ali-Abad culture, which dates back to the fourth millennium BC, can be seen in various regions of southeastern Iran, including Kerman, Makran and West Balochistan, Pakistan. . Dahno in Shahdad periphery located in the south-east of Iran, in Kerman province is not an exception, and includes this type of pottery as well. In the present study, the potteries have studied scientifically in order to find the technology and provenance of these materials by examining their microstructure and related mineralogical characterizationand. Petrography, XRD, ESEM-EDS and pXRF is appliede in order to investigate the micro-structur, mineralogy and manufacturing technique. The results of the analyzes on the pottery indicate the use of the same resources in the manufacture of these kind of potteries. By comparing them with the geological formations of the region, one can be seen that prehistoric potters of the Shahdad applied similar soils from the regional reservouire. The potteries observed can be divided into two sections in terms of matrix character; red clay  and green matrix. All of which have similar mineralogical additives. In regard to the firing temperatures, the potteries classifiede in two categories, pottery with a cooking temperature of less than 850°C, and pottery firing temperature 900°C to 1000°C.

Todays, the circulation of Takfiri has taken over the Muslims of the world as a scourge. This circulation seeks to implement its extremist and violent conception of the sublime principles of Islam in the world.  In this way, "Al-Qaeda" in Afghanistan has always been considered as the founder and line-up of the Takfiri movement in the West Asian region. The importance of studying this circulation is heightened when we realize that most of the Takfiri groups that are in the line of battle with the axis of resistance today, are rooted in al-Qaeda and its ideology. The group founded by "Abdullah Azzam of Palestinian", "Osama bin Laden of Saudi Arabia" and "Ayman al-Zawahiri of Egypt" called "Al-Qaeda" in Afghanistan under the pretext of jihad against the Soviet Union, which later became the source of extremist Salafi circulations and a lot of Takfiri groups in the region; so that it can be claimed that the main thinking of the deviant current of Takfiri groups gained strength and power with the emergence of this circulation. This descriptive-analytical study tries to answer this fundamental question that “what are the underlying factors, historical course and the origin of al-Qaeda as a Salafi-Takfiri movement and what are the intellectual and doctrinal foundations of al-Qaeda? The findings show that the jihad against the Soviet Communist Army in Afghanistan led the three major Salafi leaders to form an alliance and pave the way for the emergence of a pervasive jihadist movement called al-Qaeda. The base of al-Qaeda's thinking is rooted in Salafi thoughts, and its leaders, in particular, have been more influenced by the thinking of the ruling Brotherhood in Egypt. Also, this study, by examining the thoughts of al-Qaeda leaders, has come to the conclusion that the spread of Shiite thought under the leadership of the Shiite country of Iran has always been dangerous for them and they have sought to avert this danger.

Archaeological rescue project of the Silveh Dam was carried out by Iranian Center for Archaeological Research (ICAR) (952141/00/3937 – 1395/12/23) permission during about four monthschr('39') field activities. Tepe Silveh or as villager named Tepe Sheikh Esmail Silveh (N: 36° 48chr('39') 099chr('39')chr('39') – E: 45° 05chr('39') 937chr('39')chr('39') – 1567m asl) is located exactly 100 m north of the Silveh village. Tepe Silveh is located in the center of intermountain river valley on the northern margin of the village, which has already been demolished and abandoned. Main important assemblage of findings belong to painted buff and orange and as well as few grey/black pottery that introduced and reported by Tepe Silveh and Tepe Hasanlu and some other surveyed sites. No Archaeometrical and chemical-mineralogical characterization have been done yet on pottery assemplages.
Hence, 51 pottery specimens was sampled from different period and layers of the Tepe Silveh belong to Late Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age pottery tradition of black/gray burnished Kura-Araxes culture and as well as painted buff and red pottery traditions of Early Bronze Age of Hasanlu VII (Hasan Ali Ware) and Ninevi 5 to address such issues as its geological source, manufacturing techniques, firing and kiln conditions, local or foreign provenience, determination of sharing and segregation between different groups of pottery. To determine the crystalline constituents, different mineralo-chemical investigations were undertaken. The major phase compositions of the pottery assemblages were determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), and for thermography DTA were used. Also, the thin-section of the pottery was analyzed by optical microscopy techniques so as to petrographic identification of the minerals. The result of phase identification and petrographic analysis showed that the studied pottery is similar in terms of composition and mineralogy but are completely different in terms of morphology, baking technique and color as well as kiln conditions. According to the similarity of the main structural combination and characterization of black – gray pottery assemblage with the geological structure of the region it should be suggested that this type of pottery produced locally in the Piranshahr or close adjacent region that is not very far from the site that in terms of geological structure and charectrization have similar compounds with Tepe Silveh Pottery. Also, due to the complete match of thermal analysis with the results of petrography and X-ray diffraction analysis, the baking and firing temperature in all samples can be estimated at 850 °.

The site of Narjuiyeh III is located on the eastern natural mounds of the Narjuiyeh village, from the west overlooking Halil River. Scattering of the fourth millennium BC, especially typical Aliabad type are visible on these mounds. Traces of illegal excavation are also available as pits and holes all over the site. Aliabad ceramics are pottery dating back to the fourth millennium BC (Chalcolithic) in the southeast of the Iranian plateau, first excavated and reported by Caldwell from Aliabad in Bardsir of Kerman, and then have been found and reported from fourth millennium layers of Tell Iblis (Iblis IV) which eventually became known as Aliabad Culture (Caldwell, 1967). Ali-Abad culture potteries (Chalcolithic age) dates back to the 4th millennium BC in southeast of Iran which the distribution of its potteries include the regions of Kerman, Balouchistan and Pakistan. Aliabad pottery in the south-east of the Iranian plateau is one of the most important and prominent pottery types in the Chalcolithic period (Eskandari and Mollasalehi, 2017), which for more detail understanding about this culture in addition to archaeological studies, requires scientific archaeometric analysis and methods; therefore, the aim of the present study is to investigate, study and further understand the fourth millennium BC pottery of Aliabad culture from Jiroft’s Narjuiyeh III site and understanding the expansion of this culture by using structural and technical studies of pottery of this period. At the same time, it has been attempted to use the method of mineralogy (petrography) to get information about how to process the paste, clay type and used temper, conditions, heating and temperature of baking in the furnace, as well as the understanding of the origin of pottery of this area. Archaeological studies show that Aliabad culture in the southeast of the Iranian plateau was the dominant culture of the region in the fourth millennium BC. In this study, it has been attempted to obtain mineralogical information regarding pottery (Aliabad pottery) using library and thin section petrography studies. The polarized binocular microscope JamesSwift made in the United Kingdom at the Petrographic Laboratory of the Institute for Restoration and Conservation was used for microscopic study of the studied pottery.

Khoy Plain has attracted various tribes in terms of geographical conditions and suitable environmental capacities over the course of thousands of years, and has been the basis for establishing human settlements in different periods. The pattern of dispersion of the areas identified in this mid-range plain in the Bronze Age reveals the emergence and existence of a large center called “Dozdqi”, which in this period becomes a very important center. Dozdaqi with a height of 1200 meters above sea level is an area with more than 16 hectares and 24 meters above the surface of the surrounding area, the highest prehistoric area of the plain, which is located along the permanent river of Ghodvokh Boghan and the springs and wetlands. The existence of a salt mine as an export commodity in this area, as well as obsidian artefacts (imported goods) in 7 different colors. The percentage of the volume of distribution of pottery on the surface of the site indicates that the period of dynamism and flourishing of the site was in the Bronze Age, and it seems that during this period and for the first time in Khoy plain, there could be an over-the-center Of the 16 hectares.The existence of such a center is likely to be in the context of trans-regional trade. In this research, 20 samples of the Bronze Age pottery sherds were collected from the surface survey and speculation to determine the area and privacy of the study area and typology.

There are many uses of obsidian by prehistoric peoples that includes a long period from Paleolithic until the Bronze Age and before the invention of metal. Due to its chemical structure, obsidian has special potential for fingerprinting and provenance studies, and it allows for the reconstruction of long-distance trade and the history of prehistoric exchanges in various parts of the Western Asia. Until now, only obsidian mines have been identified in Anatolia (northeast, southeast, central, western) and the Caucasus, and based on experimental analysis of the obsidian tools of the ancient sites of the northwest of Iran, however, some samples obtained from various parts of Iran, have remained unexploited due to lack of studies on the origins and identification of major mines and other indigenous mines. This research is trying to analyze 38 samples of obsidian artifacts belong to Chalcolithic and Bronze Age (Kura-Araxes) cultures, from 9 different prehistoric sites in Khoy region with using the XRF analysis method for identification of Chalcolithic and Bronze Age provenance sources, and to clarify that in which period which sources have been used predominantly and whether changes to the source have been made by changing in each period or not they used only the same sources in different periods. Our analysis show that 53 artifacts from the prehistoric sites of Khoy came from nine different sources. The sources are: Meydan Dag (15 artifacts), Syunik (8 artifacts), Tsakhunyats (4 artifacts), Suphan Dag (3 artifacts), Gutansar (3 artifacts), Arteni (2 artifacts) and Nemrut Dag and Tendurek (1 artifact) and unassigned (1 artifact). According to analysis results Meydan Dag and Syunik could be suggested as two main obsidian sources of prehistoric sites of Khoy region. Keywords: Obsidian, Kul Tape, Hadishahr, Obsidian Mines, XRF Portable. Introduction & Method Obsidian is a material widely used by prehistoric groups and found in abundance on archaeological sites in the Taurus-Zagros region. Provenance studies have been the focus of intense research and debate among archaeologists and geologists over the past 60 years, especially those focusing on the Anatolian plateau and the Caucasus. However, obsidian studies in Iran have remained in an early stage, and only recent research on obsidian outcrops, carried out in parallel with prehistoric obsidian provenance studies, has provided the first opportunity to develop a database (Abedi et al., In press; Khademi Nadooshan et al., 2013; Abedi, 2015) and to outline a horizon and a perspective for obsidian studies in this country. In the mid-1960s, Renfrew and his colleagues (Renfrew et al., 1966; 1968; Renfrew and Dixon, 1976) used geochemical methods to study obsidian collections from the Zagros Mountains, the Urmia basin and the Central Plateau. Later, Blackman (1984) and other researchers demonstrated that long-distance trade existed between ancient sites in Iran and the obsidian sources located in Anatolia and the Caucasus during prehistoric periods (Bigazzi et al., 1998; Chataigner et al., 1998; Poidevin, 1998; Frahm, 2010). Recently, additional sourcing and provenance studies have been carried out by Iranian scholars (Agha-Aligol et al., 2015; Khademi et al., 2007, 2010; Ghorabi et al., 2008; Niknami et al., 2010; ; Khademi Nadooshan et al., 2013; Abedi, 2015). Some of these articles (Ghorabi et al., 2010; Niknami et al., 2010) suggest that obsidian tools may have come from an unknown source located in Iran (perhaps Sahand and Sabalan Mountain). Some of the results provided by these studies were inconclusive: characterizations presenting sometimes clear parallels with Armenian sources, or providing values (on SiO2, for instance) never found in obsidian (Agha-Aligol et al., 2015; Ghorabi et al., 2010; Khademi et al., 2007). In order to add new data to this discussion, this paper presents the results of the analysis of 38 obsidian artifacts from the Late Neolithic/Transitional Chalcolithic and Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age periods in Khoy plain of NW Iran. This is the first time archaeometrical analysis will done on prehistoric obsidian artifacts of the region. After collecting obsidian assemblages from all prehistoric sites of Khoy, fundamental questions have been raised: what is the main obsidian source of the region? It is mono source or multiple source? Can we consider Syunik and Meydan Dag as main obsidian sources of Khoy region during prehistory? According to analysis possible answer to this questions will make it possible to draw local and long-distance trade between Khoy and Lake Urmia in one hand and southern Caucasus and Eastern Anatolia on the other hand. The present research is qualitative-quantitative based on methodology, after field archaeological sampling (38 artifacts from 9 different prehistoric sites), X-ray Fluorescence Analysis (XRF) method has been used to determine quantitatively the amount of main and rare elements. The Obsidian Analysis Results of Khoy Archaeological Sites The characterizations were determined using a XRF Philips PW1410 model. Some of the most reliable element concentrations in obsidian that can be obtained using XRF are Rb, Sr, Y, Zr and Nb, if the concentrations are above the detection limit (Darabi and Glascock, 2013; Maziar and Glascock, 2017). The compositional data measured for the 38 artefacts by XRF are listed in Table 2-3. A scatter plot of the Zr versus Rb concentration (Fig. 4-5) allows recognition of nine clusters from nine different archaeological site (Ghardash Khan, Shorshorik, Pirkandi, Dava Goz, Ali Sheikh (Kooshish), Maran, Doozdaghi (Amirbeigh), Kul Tepe Ghoharan and Chirkandi) which match the composition of the well-known sources: Meydan Dag (15 artifacts), Syunik (8 artifacts), Tsakhunyats (4 artifacts), Suphan Dag (3 artifacts), Gutansar (3 artifacts), Arteni (2 artifacts) and Nemrut Dag and Tendurek (1 artifact) and unassigned (1 artifact). (Table. 3-4). During the Late Neolithic to the end of Early Bronze Age periods a polysource model operated, as at least six sources (Meydan, Syunik, Tsakhunyats, Suphan, Gutansar and Arteni) are heavily represented across a large assemblage (N= 33), whereas the whole data results indicates a bi-source model heavily dominated by the Meydan Dag and Syunik obsidians. According to the interpretation of two seasons of excavations and obsidian studies, the inhabitants of Kul Tepe and Dava Goz and Khoy plain in general, at least in the Chalcolithic and Bronze Age, were agro-pastoralists who spent most of their times at the plain sites like Kul Tepe and Dava Goz or mentioned prehistoric sites engaged in farming and other household activities and moved seasonally in summer in search of pastures with their herds to the highlands. New research at the Chalcolithic site of Godedzor indicates a seasonal summer campsite in the highlands near the Syunik (Sevkar) obsidian source. This site showed good evidence of material known from sites in the Lake Urmia Basin, especially ceramic types. It presents Chalcolithic signs of Dalma and Pisdeli cultures. Excavators at Godedzor (Chataigner et al., 2010) suggest that this site was a summer seasonal campsite for inhabitants from Kul Tepe, Dava Goz and Khoy prehistoric sites and the Lake Urmia Basin (wintering region), using the obsidian from Syunik. They also suggest that obsidian was used only for local trade and personal use, not for extensive trade, because it did not diffuse beyond the Lake Urmia Basin. Obsidian appears to have been a byproduct of the pastoral lifestyle for local trade between the Lake Urmia basin and the Caucasus region. Analysis of Kul Tepe artifacts suggests that sites like Kul Tepe and Dava Göz and Khoy prehistoric sites (Abedi, 2017; Abedit et al., 2018 a-b) had an intermediate role in transferring obsidian raw materials to NW Iran and the Lake Urmia Basin during Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age periods. Conclusion The chemical analysis of 38 obsidian artifacts from the Khoy archaeological sites (Ghardash Khan, Shorshorik, Pirkandi, Dava Goz, Ali Sheikh (Kooshish), Maran, Doozdaghi (Amirbeigh), Kul Tepe Ghoharan and Chirkandi) proved that the main source of obsidian was Meydan Dag (15 samples) and Syunik (8 samples) but obsidian from other sources Tsakhunyats (4 artifacts), Suphan Dag (3 artifacts), Gutansar (3 artifacts), Arteni (2 artifacts) and Nemrut Dag and Tendurek (1 artifact) and unassigned (1 artifact) were also utilized. Only one specimen had an unassigned source. In addition, according to the study of obsidian artifacts, analysed by XRF, it can be suggested, that from 38 samples, 15 specimens belong to the Meydan Dağ source and 8 samples come from Syunik. The results suggested that the main source used by Khoy prehistoric inhabitants during the Late Neolithic, Chalcolithic and the Early Bronze Age was Meydan Dağ and Syunik, although Tsakhunyats, Suphan Dag, Gutansar, Arteni and Nemrut Dağ and Tendurek have been used in a limited portion also. The intermediate role of Khoy and The importance of pastoral groups in transferring the raw material like obsidian from southern Caucasus and eastern Anatolia to the Lake Urmia Basin identified by the analyzing of the obsidian samples during this research.

Obsidian is a dark glass formed by very rapid solidification of volcanic lava, but in the archaeological view, this volcanic glass is an important source for prehistoric tool-making and artifacts such as arrowhead, point, flake, blade, hand axes, micro-blades and etc. Therefore, obsidian artifacts are frequently used material in prehistory and found widely in archaeological sites around the world. The provenance study of obsidian has been an issue of intense research and debate between archeaometrist and geologists. Hence, different provenance studies carried out in Anatolia and Caucasus since 1960s up to 2015, but the obsidian research in Iran is in very early stage and consider as terra incognita. According to the occurrence of lithic obsidian artifacts in most of the prehistoric archaeological sites in north-west of Iran have been recovered during last decades, various questions have been rise on the subject of the provenance of these materials. New studies on prehistoric obsidian artifacts have been done by other scholar specially Iranians during the recent years, where the main part of these studies focus on the characterization and classification of the obsidian artifacts by chemical analysis, in order to find an evidence of sourcing and provenance. More recent research showed that some obsidian tools might have come from unknown sources located in Iran (perhaps Sahand and Sabalan Mountain). This paper will try to discuss the new obsidian mine in north-west Iran in western Asia. After a brief introduction of obsidian studies in north-west Iran, the paper addresses preliminary report of recent researches that took place concerning 10 local obsidian mine samples from Tajaraq of Miyaneh and Ghizilja of Bostababad, around of Bozghoosh Mountain in the skirt of Sahand volcano. This study was realized by portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF), as a non-distractive technique for elemental analysis, to differentiate between local obsidian mine. From 10 mine samples, 8 samples from Tajaraq of Miyaneh and 2 samples of Ghizilja of Bostanabad were selected and analyzed. This mine samples could be consider as the first obsidian source specimens in association with prehistoric lithic artifacts of north-west Iran and give the chance for detail and comparative studies of these sources with prehistoric site artifacts for provenance studies, as local or imported materials to this part of Iran. The research has been carried out with a focus on locating the origins and resources of obsidian procurement in the northwest of Iran, in order to rethink and reconstruct the regional and supra-regional trade and exchange networks in future. The project clearly identified the three groups of geochemically different obsidians named Tajaraq A, Tajaraq B, and Ghizilja. Due to the fact that Tajaraq obsidian is of a higher quality than the Ghizilja ones, it seems likely that the samples of Tajaraq obsidians have had the ability to be used for tool-making in the past, as the samples of Ghizilja, Bostanabad are too fragile and perlitic in structure. Hence, as the two groups of Tajaraq A and Tajaraq B have the ability to be used for ancient tools in all probability, they can be introduced as candidates for obsidian mining in prehistoric times in the northwest of Iran. In fact, the proposed hypothesis is still at a very early stage and future scientific studies and field research have to be followed. Comparing the new results with prehistoric sites in the cultural areas of Miyaneh and Bostanabad, it becomes obvious that the Tajaraq B obsidian overlaps in some trace elements with published data Anatolian sources. If this overlap could be found also by comparing other elements and their combination, and if it will be confirmed by other methods in future, it could lead to a complete review of all previous obsidian analysis from Iran. In other words, several samples that were up to now thought to be from Anatolia could come in reality from source B of Tajaraq. This is a serious and peculiar hypothesis, which means, at first step, more data have to be collected at the geological outcrops and especially, by analyzing the archaeological finds from well stratified context. The implications of the findings will discuss along with limitations and future research directions.

During 2007 archaeological survey of Little Zab River in Sardasht district in NW Iran, 6 typical Uruk (Uruk Related) sites have been brought to light. One of the important one is Tepe Badamyar Rabat with typical Beveled Rim Bowl pottery that is considered as first Uruk evidence in NW Iran. In addition to Rabat, the Uruk materials found in Tepe Baghi, Tepe Waliv, Tepe Molla Yousef, Tepe Lavin and Tepe Goman would provide the opportunity for studying on one millennium gap between Hasanlu VIIIA (Pisdeli) and VIIC (Kura-Araxes) in southern parts of the Lake Urmia region. This gap is considered as main vague issue in archaeology of NW Iran. The Uruk evidence in the mentioned sites mainly belongs to Middle and Late Uruk periods (3600/3500-3100 BC). These new finding not only establish good opportunity for revising NW Iran chronological framework but provide good base for studying inter-regional relationship of NW Iran communities with south and northern Mesopotamian societies during  the 4th millennium BC. This article is trying to introduce fresh typical Uruk sites in southern part of the Lake Urmia with detailed emphasis on new pottery, lithic and special finds of Tepe Badamyar Rabat. Also the present paper is intended to deal with the Uruk cultural influences in NW Iran, proposing a chronological framework for the period concerned and to discuss interregional relationship with adjacent region.

In the present paper, we have tried to study the mineralogy of ten pieces of the glazed potteries of Islamic era were discovered during a systematic archaeological survey on the Shahr-e Belgheys (Esfarāyen). For better understanding of potteries inside structural characteristics Petrographic thin sections and microscopic polarization were prepared. In the all petrographic sections composition of microcrystals were similar and only one piece (code 216) has represented a heterogeneous texture, but in terms of mineralogy all samples were shared a similar component indicating that the potteries would have been made from the same clay with local origin. Pottery sample (code 216) with a different geological composition may be assumed to have been a piece of a vessel was imported to the area

Obsidian artifacts were frequently used in prehistory and are widely found on archaeological sites around the world. Provenance studies of obsidian have been an issue of intense research and debate between archeaometry and geology. Different provenance studies were carried out in Anatolia and the Caucasus since the 1960s, but obsidian research in Iran is still at a very early stage and can be considered as terra incognita. Recent research on obsidian sources in Iran accompanied by prehistoric obsidian provenance studies gave the opportunity to establish a database, and to outline a horizon and perspective for future obsidian studies in Iran (Abedi et al., in prep.). Two seasons of excavation in Kul Tepe revealed the important material from Late Neolithic/Early Chalcolithic (Dalma) to Achaemenid periods. For the measurements a portable ED-XRF device (Thermo Scientific Niton XL3t) was used, equipped with an Ag anode at max. 50 kV, silicon drift detector. Some of the most reliable element concentrations in obsidian that can be obtained using portable ED-XRF are Rb, Sr, Y, Zr and Nb, if the concentrations are above the detection limit. Analysis by X-ray fluorescence of 53 obsidian artifacts from first season proved that the main source of obsidian for the workshops in Kul Tepe was Syunik (41 samples) but obsidian sources as far as west as the Lake Van region (Nemrut Dag (2) and Meydan Dag (4) and as far north as Gutansar (1), Bazenk (1), Choraphor (1) were also utilized and only one specimen had an unassigned source. In addition, according to second season obsidian artifacts analysis by pXRF it should be suggested that from 32 samples, 29 specimens belong to Syunik and only three samples come from Meydan Dag obsidian mine. A scatter plot of the Zr versus Y concentration allows recognition of three clusters which match the composition of the well-known sources: Syunik (24 artifacts), Geghasar (5 artifact) and Meydan Dağ (3 artifacts). Syunik is the closest source in the vicinity of Kul Tepe, not more than 75km far from the site (as the crow flies). Syunik material was used in all prehistoric periods at Kul Tepe but Geghasar obsidian obviously only in the Early Chalcolithic (Dalma) (2 samples), Kura-Araxes I (2 samples) and Kura-Araxes II (1 sample) periods. Meydan Dağ obsidian only in the Early Chalolithic (Dalma) (2 samples) and Late Chalcolithic 3 (Chaff-Face Ware) (1 sample) periods. Our results show that the site of Kul Tepe was involved in a broad network of trade and exchange of obsidian. The main and closest source of obsidian supplying the workshops at Kul Tepe was Syunik but obsidian sources as far as west as the Lake Van region (Nemrut Dag and Meydan Dag) and as far north as Gutansar were also utilized. The distances from Syunik and Nemrut Dag to Kul Tepe are about 75 km and 300 km, respectively. During the Early Chalcolithic Dalma period, two main obsidian supply zones are identified: Syunik-Gegham and Meydan Dag, whereas Syunik predominates. From LC1, a refocus on Syunik is attested. This could be explained, as indicated in the first season results, by a development of transhumans towards the Vorotan Valley. Such a development is suggested by the Kul Tepe excavations, where obsidian is imported in the form of pebbles, similar to those found in the Vorotan River at Godedzor.

Notwithstanding the existence of such famous sites as Shar-i Sokhta from the Bronze Age, southeastern Iran represents a lacuna in Iranian archaeology. Chance discovery of the prehistoric, third millennium BC, site of Keshik in Nikshahr, Sistan and Baluchistan Province provides an opportunity to study new archaeological finds from this quarter of Iran. The main part of Keshik was a Bronze Age cemetery, which yielded important metal and ceramic objects, not to mention burial remains. The excavated assemblages included a distinct ceramic jar which warranted more detailed systematic observations by virtue of the symbolic motifs ornamenting its exterior surface. The jar has received the designation the Life Cycle because of these figurative designs arranged in six alternative panels which depict round the upper body of the vessel in a symbolic form the life cycle of a goat. The related panels show: 1) the figure of a goat native to Sistan, 2) the mating of goats, 3‒5) the mother goat feeding her baby goat, which gradually grows up from the 3rd to 5th panel, and 6) the baby goat together with its mother. The major archaeological question with regard to this idiosyncratic vessel was its chemical-mineralogical characterization. Hence, a chip specimen was sampled to address such issues as its geological source, manufacturing techniques, firing and kiln conditions, local or foreign provenience, and the nature of pigments involved in the paint. To determine the crystalline constituents, different mineralo-chemical investigations were undertaken. The major phase compositions of the vessel’s body as well as the pigments were determined using quantitative X-ray diffraction (QXRD), and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX). Also, the the thin-section of the pottery was analyzed by optical microscopy techniques so as to petrographic identification of the minerals. The result of phase identification showed that the sample generally contains quartz, plagioclase, diopside, berlinite calcite, hematite, and enstatite as main crystalline phase constituents. Moreover, mineralo-chemical investigations demonstrated a regional alluvial soil origin related with the Keshik River, suggesting an indigenous provenience for the vessel. Further, the paste lacked any mineral variety. Firing in an oxidizing and reducing atmosphere was also evident given the carbon peaks and the poorly fired gray core of the thin-section. Analyses of the paint used in the decorative designs revealed the presence in the pigment of iron and manganese. The two elements were typically used because of their long-term sustainability and mineral base, and in combination with each other, they created a brown to black tone. In short, the study suggested that the so-called Life Circle jar was locally produced using the local clay on the potter’s wheel, was fired at a temperature of 900-1000 oC in a closed oven under oxidizing and reducing conditions, and was decorated with a paint containing iron and manganese pigments.