نشریه باستان شناسی ایران
پیاپی 1 (پاییز و زمستان 1390)

Miyaneh city, located in northwest of Iran, has unique geographical, natural and communicative features. These features have had key role in its cultural and civilization development. Palaeolithic, Chalcolithic, Bronze and Iron ages are prehistoric periods of this region. But the importance of this city was outstanding during Mannaean and Parthian dynasties. Similarity between Miyana (the name of the city pronounced as Miyana by locals) and the term Mana (civilization) indicates the presence of this ethnic group in the region. Moreover, in Islamic period, most of cultural remains from the Islamic civilization are related to Ilkhanid, Timurid and Safavid dynasty. This study identifies cultural and civilization periods of this region through studying the ancient sites which are situated in the four districts of the city.

Elam went down in an aura of ambiguity after the collapse of Shotrokean dynasty and the end of the glorious era of the middle land of Elam. Though, based on the existed documents, it can be proofed that Elam went back from darkness in the year 814 B.C. Elamite culture and civilization developed in the period of the new dynasty as it had done during the pervious ones, and such progress can be demonstrated through their works and their remaining debris. This article intend to offer a clear understanding of the burial tradition of the new period through analyzing the ways the dead buried during the new era in the various areas of Elamite's territory.

This study attempted to examine the social structure of the communities in Parthian period, based on the nutritional situation of the people of that time. Realizing the nutritional status of the communities, this article analyzes the elemental data of human skeleton remained from the graves of the Parthian period in the ancient area of Valiran in Damavand. The difference in the amount of the elements in human skeleton indicates the differences in the nutritional status of people under the investigation and dietary differences, suggested the differences in their social situations. In written sources, there was little about the social situation of Parthian period in the communities. Though Parthian social structure was tribal, and the complexity is not much, the archaeological study of social status in this period has had certain complexities. This study that was based on analyzing data gathered from chemical elements of ancient skeletons of Parthian period, tried to provide us with useful information about their social status.

Glass, as one of the human being's artifacts, has always been a case that attracts the artist's and artisan's attention. For this reason, it can be helpful in recognizing, describing and interpreting cultural-social changes. As an important industry, glass-blowing represents important points of the pervious cultures. It has a long history in Iran, so as using it has been transferred from one generation to the next. In pre-Islamic Iran, it had been considered as a widely common, advanced and artistic industry; moreover, it had attracted some influences as a result of widespread communication with other cultures. The culminated point of such communications can be viewed in Partian-Sasanian period and also in Islamic period. Glass-blowing, like other arts, has changed after the entrance of new religion. New centers were activated in this field which used the past experience in the form, decoration, manufacturing techniques that developed this art. Cities like Nayshabour, Jorjan, Siraf and Ray are the most important forerunners in this artifact in Iran. One can achieve valuable points regarding glass-blowing by focusing on the process of construction in the early Islamic period in Iran, comparing it with those of other Islamic countries, as well as those of the previous eras.

Studying Iranian history and art during Parthian period is one of the essential issues in new studies on history and civilization of Iran. Confronting with little information related to this period, one would be aware of the importance of such matters. Thus we would be able to characterize some aspects of Parthian empire based on the Archaeological researches. One of the significant archaeological evidences concerning this period was located in Southeastern Khuzestan. Tal-e-Rezvan that located in 3 K.m. east of Ramshir city appeared to be huge in size and about 5 hectare of its western side due to agricultural activities was destroyed. As a result of local farmer's transgressions, illegal excavations, smuggling of antique properties and the extent of the damage, a project had been formed to protect it by preservative activities by archaeological excavation. Indeed this program prevented more agricultural activities and illegal diggings at the site. In this regard, the procedure of the fieldwork was to dig 18 small excavations in dimensions of 1×1meter. The preliminary investigations on cultural issues suggest that Tal-e Rezvan area was one of the local lodgments of Elymayyd in Parthian period. This study tried to represent the acquired results of excavation in this site.

Economic and financial organization of Parthians do not deliver considerable and complete knowledge that is required for understanding 5 centuries of the reign of their dynasty. Although some historians have written briefly in this case, the number of found works and indications obtained from excavations in various parts of Iran in Parthian period were low. Though, these existed evidences, to some extent, clarified organizational traits and characteristics of that period. The purpose of this paper was to demonstrate the economic foundations and revenues of Parthian government based on the historical texts and some archaeological resources.

The recent archaeological studies of Ramhormoz plain in the year 2006 represented the evidences related to the culture of Late Susiana1 (LS1) and the Late Susiana2 (LS2). Data acquired from potteries of Sartoli hill was compared through comparative method with those of contemporary Fars plain and Susiana plain based on their forms and decorations. Such data indicates that, on one hand, there were stylistic and technical similarities among potteries of Sartroli with those of Bakon culture and Susiana plain, and on the other hand, such similarities can demonstrate the cultural communications of Ramhormoz plain with high areas as well as Susiana plain. In other words, Ramhormoz plain and its precincts that centered around Tal-e-Ghazir had been the confluence of these mentioned cultures. Studying Sartoli precincts based on data gathered from potteries, this article attempted to analyze its cultural communications with its neighbor areas.

The Phrygian people,who had been living primarily in the southern Balkan, migrated to Minor Asias through Hellespont in 12th century BC. In their way, and during Troy war, they annihilated the Mycenaean government. In the continuation of their movement towards the east, they captured the regions which were formerly under the control of Hittite empire. Since that date until about 950 BC, there is no sign of them in Minor Asia. But since then, the archaeological evidences confirm their presence in the region. It is such that up to the year 330 BC, three distinguished architectural periods can be identified in Phrygian art. Prior researches demonstrate the continuation of Phrygians's conventions in decoration of monuments and objects during the existence of this culture. The present research tried to well-clarify that such a continuation existed in both architecture and city planning of this city so that it can be observed in the architecture of its capital, Gordiom.