Investigating Pins of Iron Age of Iran and its Applications

Straight Pins have been repeatedly among the findings of the metal objects of the settlements, religious sites and cemeteries of the Iron Age of Iran. These artifacts have often been referred to as "Pins" in some of the available sources. In other cases, they have simply been titled as: Garment Pins, hairpins, symbolic and votive objects, defense instruments and shrouds pins without making any distinctions and/or scientific discussions. In this article, we tried to study the various functions of these artifacts by using archaeological, ethno-archeological and historical studies. Based on the results, the studs, regarding their shape and dimension, as well as the place of discovery, had different uses such as: Garment Pin, hair pin, decoration, defensive, symbolic, votive, magic, and ritual as well as complementary and multiple applications. Also one of the functions that has been mentioned earlier in this article is its use as a tool to Ward off the ghosts and evil forces, as well as vile and harassing animals, which is still true for traditional societies and was the case with Zoroastrians from the Ancient and contemporary eras.