علی اعراب

One of the critical tasks of archaeological studies is to illustrate in detail the geometric properties of pottery fragments. The illustrations are presented as classification and typological concepts for the potteries of a historical period. They are used to investigate the cultural and social structures of that period. Nowadays, most similar studies are conducted by numerical methods and mathematical modeling. This research examines the feasibility of using these methods and algorithms in the classification and typology of ancient potteries. What is important at first glance is introducing a set of geometric properties of the outer profile of the pottery fragments, which are entered to the algorithms in the form of RTC functions. These functions show unique features for an outer profile which are used in the classification and typology of the fragments. The classification of samples is accomplished based on RTC functions and by using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The samples are categorized in bowl, jug and jar classes with nearly 95% accuracy. The designed ANN is a three-layer network with one hidden layer that includes two neurons. Network outputs are numeric codes 0, 1 and 2 which refer to bowl, jug and jar profiles, respectively. In the following, by correcting the erroneous samples and out of a total of 209 pottery designs, 128 (61.2%), 42 (20.1%) and 39 (18.7%) samples were placed in bowl, jug and jar categories, respectively. After classification, the typology of the available samples within each class is also performed by the Neighbor Joining (NJ) algorithm. According to the NJ algorithm, the bowl, jug, and jar samples are distinguished by 83, 22 and 27 types, respectively. The accuracy of the typology method is also evaluated between 95 and 97%.

Glaze is one of the artefacts which we can find its producing process in Persian manuscripts. During this study due to the Persian manuscripts, it could be possible for us to understand the adapting of modern glaze producing and its traditional method. Because it seems that there is an adapting between traditional and modern glaze production in Iran, but how we can understand this adapting? We must pay attention, that one of the documents which could be useful for studying the glaze productions are manuscripts. In addition to manuscripts, the glaze samples which have been reminded from the past, are another document for analyzing the traditional glaze production. So during this study we are going to reconstruct the process of ancient Persian glazes which mentioned in manuscripts. It seems that some of the manuscripts are a copy of another one, and surviving the transposition of the manuscripts is necessary during this study. So we will survey some manuscripts during this study. But it seems that the most of manuscripts which are dated after Safavid period are a copy of older manuscripts. For example, we can suggest some manuscripts which the process of glazes production in these manuscripts are the same. So we must analyze the manuscripts and it seems that one of them Is the original treatise which other manuscripts use its formulas.

Due to the long lasting durability of pottery, they remain unchanged and plays an important role in archaeological researches. Aside of its difference usage in archaeological research such as dating, artistic and subsistent and communications and exchanges among people of different regions, is used in technology level. Archaeological site of Tape Kelar Hill, situated near Hasankif city, in Kelardasht, is one of the most important prehistoric sites in southern coast of Caspian Sea, which includes cultural materials from the Late Chalcolithic from the fourth millennium B.C. to the Islamic era. The significance of this site has become twofold considering the previous views issued about prehistoric cultures in western Mazandaran and Gilan provinces. The Early Bronze Age potteries of this site are of Kura-Araxes. These are the most important finds of this site. The main research question of this article pertains to the structure of the pottery in this area in two periods and aims to see whether or not the initiation of Kura-Araxes pottery has resulted from external factors and there is difference between Early and Middle Bronze Ages? In this study, 15 pieces of pottery from Early and Middle Bronze ages were studied via petrography method in order to compare in terms of composition and mineral tissues. Research has shown that the pottery of this site, in spite of experiencing some changes in the tissues, is local production.

When it comes to the ancient settlement patterns and how to set in a region, the role of environment and its infrastructure in a geographical landscape will be highlighted. Distribution of population and human settlements in a geographical area has a great influence on the structure and function of human activities. Not only will these distribution patterns be affected by social and cultural factors, they were highly dependent on natural phenomena; because nature is a context of human geographical activities. In this paper we have studied and analyzed the role of environmental factors in spatial distribution and configuration of human settlements during the Elamite period in Ardal. Karst landscape is useful for nomadic people and we can understand this such of live in Elamite era among the archaeological evidence and Mesopotamian inscriptions. So far Ardal in Bakhtiyari mountains is a Karst landscape that is useful for nomadic people and in this paper we can see that 65% of Elamite sites are nomadism. The surrounding regions of Elamite centers (Susa and Anshan) have so far been rarely explored. One of such surrounding regions stretched across the norther of Elamite centers, covering certain areas of present-day provinces Isfahan and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari. In addition, there are pottery samples from the Elamite Era found in Khuzestan (as one of the central districts of Elamite), even though they have rarely been explored in studies on the Elamite Era. This can be partly associated with the limited number of such pottery samples against their counterparts from the Elamite Era in Khuzestan. Nonetheless, the noteworthy point about this pottery type is the great similarity (discussed later) in Khuzestan to those recovered in Isfahan and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari. Therefore, this study attempted to explore these regions from the Elamite Era through an interdisciplinary approach involving archeology, archeometry

The previous studies on the Elamite pottery generally focused on the form and shape of the artifacts. From the perspective of fabric, very few studies have explored the Elamite pottery. The pottery type studied in this paper is orange (ranging from light brown to red) composed of a tempering material, sand and white particles. The core of this no ornamented, wheel-built pottery is black. In an investigation to outline the scope and boundaries of Haft Tapeh ancient city, a number of the Elamite pottery samples were recovered in certain layers dating back to the late ancient Elam (Sukalmah) and the Middle Elamite near the adobe structures of Haft Tapeh. Haft Tapeh refers to a structure belonging to the Elamite Era located in Khuzestan and south of Susa. One major finding in this city is a tomb from the Middle Elamite Era. Since 1965, this building has been investigated by Negahban and later by Mofidi-Nasr abadi. Thus, Haft Tapeh can undoubtedly be considered a city belonging to the Elamite Era. In this light, the pottery type in this geographical scope can be particularly useful for comparison of similar artifacts found in Isfahan and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, both of which could be associated with the Elamite Era. This study focused on Asgaran and Saba as two regions in Isfahan and central part of Ardal in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari. A total of 10 pottery samples were randomly selected from these regions. They were then compared in terms of fabric and composition against 4 counterparts found in archaeological layers of Haft Tapeh belonging to the Elamite Era. It should be noted that the two-color body in the pottery sample is not at all associated with the type of compounds or curing temperature, Since the two parts are identical in terms of composition. Moreover, it seems that the main reason for the two-color body lies in the curing conditions and techniques (oxidation and reduction) inside the furnace, leading to two different colors. Apart from that, there is a kind of orientation in the components of pottery samples, potentially indicating they were built on wheels.

Throughout the period of Sassanids, as well as in the Islamic period, trade played a very important role in their economies and livelihoods. Meanwhile, due to political reasons in Late of Sassanid period, access to the Persian Gulf has been of particular importance. The city of Kuvar was part of the Fars province’s trade route because it led to the Persian Gulf on one side and to the central areas of the empire, for this reason, it has played a colorful role throughout history. Due to the presence of the riverside (Qara-aqag) near this city, the commercial convoys had to use a bridge to cross the river. In this study, attempts to by studying archaeological studies as well as library research investigate the water source of Kuvar city by, the role of Kuvar, bridge in connection with Persian Gulf as well as the etymology of city name. Bridge Kovar’s survival has been one of the possible caravans pass options. By examining the original geographical texts from the early centuries of Islam, as well as examining the current bridge structure, one can infer that this city had a very important role in establishing and sustaining trade from the Sassanid period to the Islamic period. Also, the durability and survival of this city has historically been dependent on water obtained from the Bahman Dam through specific facilities. Accordingly, in the present study, it has been attempted to explain how and these facilities function, as well as, in addition to Paul Kuvar’s ontology of construction technique and its application and performance, based on existing written sources, the landscape of the area has been reviewed and finally Evaluate the results, report the proposed chronology. This study attempts to answer the following questions: How is the main source of water in the city of Kuvar evaluated and what is the mechanism of water transfer to the city of Kuvar? How is the role of Kuvar city as a Midways on the route to the Persian Gulf and Siraf evaluated and the main evidence that what was the significance of the historic bridge of Kuvar?

Considering the fact that there exist numerous metal mines in Iran, many ancient sites of Iran have been established due to their connection to metal mines and mining. In the same relation, Karkas Mountains have always played an important role in the field of metal works through the history of Iran. Although this region of paramount importance in this regard, no specific research has been carried out on its metal works of the Islamic period. This research tries to identify and introduce sites that have had metal work evidences and have been situated at the region of historical Meymeh, the westernmost part of Karkas. Accordingly, petrographic tests have been carried out on slags which were abundantly found on the surface of the sites. This paper firstly attempts to introduce the sites in Meymeh where metal works have been done in. in the next phase, type of metals that have been melted within the Islamic period were identified. At the same time, it had to be known whether petrographic studies can determine the functional index of metal meltage in the said area? How does identification of these functional indices, along with archaeological evidences, impact the upswing of settlements of the Islamic period based the expertise of metal meltage in the region of Meymeh in Isfahan province? In May 2016 five site of metal melting were explored through the abundance of slags on their surface. Five slags were randomly selected for petrographic tests. The results proved that they were all made of iron. The sites where metals have been melted in date back to the Islamic period as the ceramics found on the surface of the sites belong to the said period. The petrographic tests reveal that slags of Rāvanj Site which belong to the Arsacid-Sasanian period are very similar to the ones found in Gazratū Site which date back to the Sasanian-early Islamic period in terms of appearance and texture. This fact proves the continuation of a metal melting technique in a period from the ArsacidSasanian to the early Islamic one. In addition, it seems that metal melting technique and extraction of iron from its ore in Azrān Site were weaker than the one employed in Gazratū Site while these two sites are contemporaneous. This fact can also be analysed through other archaeological finding in a way that the extent of Azrān was large enough to be regarded as a Sasanian-early Islamic city which was situated at an ancient road. It seems that this Sasanian-early Islamic city which was across an ancient road and the quality of its slags was poorer than other older and contemporaneous sites, metal melting was not the main profession of its inhabitants. Regarding the extent of the city and being across an ancient road, the inhabitants’ living was dependant on other things and melting was used very limitedly and its expertise was not so sophisticated in comparison with Gazratū and Rāvanj.

There are several rock inscriptions in Iran. Related Studies indicate that the carving of inscriptions on rocks have continued from prehistorical times until now. Several inscriptions have also been created during the Islamic period, some of which bear a date as well. A noticeable number of inscriptions on rocks are located along the roads in Central and Isfahan provinces, and the study of caravanserais and inns demonstrates that these roads were used in previous periods. In this study, while examining the contents of existing Islamic epigraphs and inscriptions, the writers have also dealt with the concept of carvan routes in relation to the roads near such works. In order to study the intended inscriptions, they have been divided into four groups, and each group has been introduced independently. The images of the caravans which have been carved on the rocks in the mentioned regions could indicate that the adjacent roads were used as caravan routes.

As of now, different studies have investigated the Elamite toponyms. One of the most important regions related to the Elamite rule, particularly during the Old and Middle Elamite eras, is the Persian Gulf. Based on Mesopotamian inscriptions, this gulf was known as the Lower Sea at that time. According to available documents, there were several Elamite toponyms in relation to the Persian Gulf (Lower Sea); however, their names and their roles in sea trade have rarely been noted. It is necessary to mention that a study of Elamite seals, especially in the Old and Middle Elamite eras, and the toponyms referred to in Mesopotamian inscriptions demonstrates that the Persian Gulf region can be considered to be one of the most important residential areas during the Elamite period. Some of the most important Elamite toponyms of the Persian Gulf include Bashimeh, Dilmun, Mahan, Maluha, and Liyan. On the other hand, a study of Elamite Gods reveals that Kīrīrīsh (the Great Goddess) enjoyed a particular station in the Persian Gulf region. Moreover, given the significant place of women in Elamite Societies, it seems that her station is of great significance among the toponyms of the Persian Gulf.

Shahnameh of Ferdowsi as a valuable and inspiring resource, since appearance was welcomed by artists and artisans of the Islamic era. Since Ferdowsi described the epic stories in his book so meticulous and attentive and full of beauty, Persian painters decorated Shahnama’s books with illustration of battle scenes between two power of good and evil. The story of the battle of Rustam and white demon (Div-e Sepid) is one of the most famous story in the seventh labor (Khan-e Haftum).This scene also was painted repeatedly in the Shahnameh manuscripts in different painting schools. This research is about this scene in the illustrations in Shiraz, Herat, Tabriz, and Isfahan schools in Iran which all of them are very important painting schools of Iran. This study is written via descriptive and analytical methods. Vast surveys showed some specific and indicative differences in backgrounds of images, how they shows portraits of heroes and characters or scenes, also composition of colors, clothes and rules of perspective in the painting of the scene in various schools. Determination and differentiation or participation of qualities in paintings of the scene of Shahnama beside of other scenes will be able to contrive for more knowledge of properties of these four schools and their differences from each other from the eighth century A.H to 11 A.H.