Technology of Manufacturing Objects from Organic Materials and Its Impact on Socio-Economic Structure

Northwest Iran is one of the main areas in the Iranian Iron Age. One of the most important objects found in this area are objects made from organic materials which are carbon based compounds. These materials are of special importance in archaeological data due to their non-durability in environment. Majority of the objects made from organic materials in Northwestern Iran have been found in 9 settlement sites and cemeteries. Considering the importance of these objects from technical, application, commercial, and socio-economic points of view, and their impact on the Iron Age societies, this research intends to study these points and answer the following questions: What were the techniques used in manufacturing such objects? What was the role of trans-regional trade in manufacturing and expansion of these objects? What was the impact of manufacturing such objects on the socio-economic structure of that era? As an outcome of this research, which has been conducted based on library resources and analytical methods, objects made from organic materials such as oysters, ivory and some types of wood, were imported to this area by tradesmen from Northwest of Iran or by Assyrians or Zagros residents which indicated trans-regional links between them. These objects were imported in the form of raw materials, intermediate (semi-finished) or final products. Also, manufacturing these objects led to economic growth in the area and created different classes of craftsmen who in turn influenced the economy, art, and creating various professions in the area. Different methods have been used to shape the objects.