نشریه پیام باستان شناس
پیاپی 19 (بهار و تابستان 1392)

Although prehistoric periods (especially Chalcolithic) of western side of central Zagros is fairly known, Songhor and Koliyaei plains had not been sufficiently investigated neither by the foreign nor the Iranian archaeologists; however, in the course of recent investigations in 2002 and 2009, 33 chalcolithic sites were identified. Nine sites out of these thirty three ones had Dalma sherds. All these 9 sites are located close to the water resources and mostly in the hillsides, where it is easy to reach pasturelands. Considering low extent of settlements and their locations, it could be found out that there have been small sedentary or semi-sedentary villages which could satisfy their life needs by breeding herds. This paper assumes importance since it could provide valuable information on this culture and its probable interaction with its neighboring regions for us, such as Kangavar, Mahidasht, and south of Kurdistan.

Site No. 11 of Talvar dam was excavated in 2010 aimed to be salvaged and archaeologically studied. Preliminary studies indicated that there had been a nomadic area with chalcolithic pottery. Accordingly, there was a need to study the material culture (mainly pottery). In this article, first chalcolithic potteries of the area are generally presented and described; then, typology and classification of the findings are administered and comparing with the pottery data of the nearby areas, their relative dates are provided. Based on relative chronology, Tal 11 site dates to the first half of the fourth millennium B.C. (4000 to 3700 B.C) and is coincided with Dalma pottery tradition (middle chalcolithic). Tal 11, having its own local culture and pottery similarities within Talvar river basin, i.e. Tal 12 and Kalnan tepe, shows also similarities with western region of center of Iranian Plateau and Zanjan region, at least in relation with pottery tradition. Due to the types of potteries, lack of architectural traces, and deficiency of cultural deposits, it can be concluded that settlement of this area was temporary and nomadic.

One of the periods and culture in northwest of Iran which is of little attention is the period of Chalcolithic and Dalma pottery tradition. Unfortunately our information about this period is so slight and it is limited to some brief essays and reports. This pottery tradition have relatively vast extension basin from northwest to central Zagros, and it includes painted, manipulated decoration (Incised, Impressed, Punched and Adjunct), plain pottery with red slip. It seems that painted potteries are the continuation of previous period, Hjifiruz, and potteries with manipulated decoration don’t have any record in the area and probably entered this area from another area. Unluckily, although various models and views about the extension of Dalma tradition has been presented, there is no information about how it has been extended. Has the extension of this pottery been occurred by the migrations or nomad? Has the transmission of Lightness The idea been influential in the meantime or other factors? This obscurity still remains in force because of the lack of accurate territorial and extraterritorial investigations.

These days the role of middle- point regions is one of the important issues for archaeological researchers due to their importance in political, economic, social and cultural interactions. Archaeological surveys have important role for knowing of political and cultural changings in various regions. One of the goals of the Komijan Town survey and studying is reaching to the role of the middle- point regions during the different periods of human life in the region. Komijan Town is located between the center of Iranian plateau and Zagros. This town had had role in the cultural communications. The region has been consisted an immense plain with ranges around it. Mentioned plain is bounded on the west by Famenin Plain in Hamedan and on the south by Shaara greens valley. It has been a place of settlement for human groups in different periods in comparison with regions of piedmont and has had the main role in regional communications as well. Qara Chay River is the most important river of the region that is came at the part of the plain. Komijan Town archaeological survey carried out in 2009 in 1625 square kilometers space. At the end of the survey has identified 90 footprints relating to prehistoric era until contemporary centuries: sites, petrology and historical buildings.

Monochrome painted pottery tradition of Godin III is one of the most important pottery traditions in Bronze age of Iran that continue more than one millennium and cover throughout of west and southwest of Iran geographical scope. In this study that had done with aim of study of the  geographical scope of consecutive stages of Godin III  pottery tradition, we distinguished that this kind of pottery tradition in beginning of its appearance and simultaneous with Godin III:6 /  Susa IVA, spread in throughout central Zagros geographical scope, as in this phase, have the most spread area of distribution, moreover this phase pottery have clear relations with contemporary monochrome painted pottery tradition in Fars area, from methodology point. In other hand, a small quantity of this phase pottery was fund in Al–Hiba, ancient Lagash. We face with different situation, after end of the Godin III:6 phase. In the northern districts of distribution domain including the east of the Kuh-i Garin, eastern Pish-i Kuh and about western Pish-i Kuh, the continuous stages of the pottery tradition of Godin III, without dealing with any specific problem, have gone on until the end of this period. However, southern districts which include Pusht-i Kuh, Khuzestan and some of southern Pish-i Kuh valleys, faced different situation, so that during each of Godin's III phases in southern districts dealt with specific situation.

In the first half of the first millennium BC, the tribes inhabited in the northwest of Iran formed the Mannaean kingdom. The main reason for the formation of Mannaean government can be said to prevent the continuous attacks of Assyrian kingdom to this area. After the formation of this state, they attempted to build defensive fortifications around main places and to establish castles in mountainous impassable area. Mannaean castles were built most often from big blocks of stones without mortar. The use of semicircle solid towers and small rectangular rooms as a towers are noticeable characteristics in Mannaean tower building. In addition, in this era, the circle shape plans were preferred so that the cities could have more defensive potentials. In this paper, it is tried to explain the characteristic and important elements of military architecture of Mannaean era.

Ardashir Papakan, the founder of Sassanid dynasty, emphasized to urbanism. He made a large number of cities to who pointed out most of historians and geographers of the first Islamic century. The largest and most important city of Ardashir was Gur or Ardashir Khoreh which was located in the vicinity of Firooz Abad in Fars province. This was the capital of Ardashir and also had a circular shape as like as some Parthian cities. There was located a lofty tower called Terbal in the middle of the town. It was the symbol of Anahita, the goddess of water and near it was a large palace. Islamic geographers have described the buildings of Ardashir Khoreh and also the archaeologists have dug in it in recent century. So, there are many data about this city and its installations. Ardashir Khoreh was founded after Ardeshir victory over Ardavan V and then constructed a glorious palace called Ardashir palace in the vicinity of the town and at a good climate place. This palace was Appropriate to dignity and glory of Ardashir, so, he rest in it at the end of his life and indeed, after abdication of power. Ardashir ordered to construct a strong and stable fortress on the summit of Tangab in order to maximize his small army against Ardavan`s attacks and also underpin the release of Iran.

The archeology of the Islamic period is the proper subject of interest in many universities and especially Islamic countries and has created a common cultural background for many Islamic countries. One of the main arguments is defining and clear mission for the archaeology of the Islamic period, this article presents the history of archaeological studies in the Islamic period and we define this branch of archeology and its objectives are identified. In this category, like other branches of archeology, all academic and research activities carried but in addition we have paid great attention to the world of Islam and Islamic law, and the ultimate goal of science is to recognize human, human cognition is emphasized by the Qur'an.

Western part of the Zanjan province in North West of Iran, is mountainous region with a relatively high mountains and the valleys between them. On the slop of one height in this region, and on the wall surfaces of rock shelters that called Agh Dash, Interesting designs is painted. The Agh Dash paintings which are the only Identified pictographs in North West of Iran, from the view point of variety of subject matters and Somewhat difference from the other rock paintings of Iran, has great importance in the study of rock arts. Subject of most designs are geometric motifs which are painted in a variety of shapes. Also human, animal, and botanical designs are the other subjects in the Agh Dash complexes. Because of the similarity between geometric painting of Agh dash and geometric patterns of chalcolithic period potteries in central, west and north of Iran, it is likely that the paintings of Agh dash date back to chalcolithic times.

In the scientific classification of languages, Khotanese is among the Middle East Iranian languages. Although the history of recognition of Khotanese language does not exceed one hundred year, because of its lingual characteristics, cultural richness, and its integration with Buddhist customs, and Sanskrit language, its scientific study in recent century has been considerably expanded. Knowing about the ancient Iran and background of the Persian language specially its words is not only through Old and Middle Persian languages, but it is necessary to conduct a scientific study and analyze the other Iranian languages. One of these languages is called Saka-Khotanese or Khotanese which is not known for Farsi speaking people and even by scientific circles as it deserves. This research surveys the philosophy of Emptiness (ṣunyatā) according to the 7th. Chapter of The Book of “Zambasta”, a series of Khotanese Texts, including: Transcription, Translation into Persian and Notes on the proper names and some particular concepts about Buddhism.