Archaeology of Iran in the Historical Period (University of Tehran Science and Humanities Series)

This collection of twenty-eight essays presents an up-to-date survey of pre-Islamic Iran, from the earliest dynasty of Illam to the end of Sasanian empire, encompassing a rich diversity of peoples and cultures. Historically, Iran served as a bridge between the earlier Near Eastern cultures and the later classical world of the Mediterranean, and had a profound influence on political, military, economic, and cultural aspects of the ancient world. Written by international scholars and drawing mainly on the field of practical archaeology, which traditionally has shared little in the way of theories and methods, the book provides crucial pieces to the puzzle of the national identity of Iranian cultures from a historical perspective. Revealing the wealth and splendor of ancient Iranian society - its rich archaeological data and sophisticated artistic craftsmanship - most of which has never before been presented outside of Iran, this beautifully illustrated book presents a range of studies addressing specific aspects of Iranian archaeology to show why the artistic masterpieces of ancient Iranians rank among the finest ever produced. Together, the authors analyze how archaeology can inform us about our cultural past, and what remains to still be discovered in this important region. -- Provided by publisher Preface 6 Acknowledgements 15 Contents 16 Contributors 19 1 How to Develop and Use of Proto-writing in Ancient Iran 22 Abstract 22 1 Introduction 22 2 Archaeological Evidences of Proto-writing Societies in Iran 23 3 Before Writing Period 24 4 Seals 25 5 Tokens 25 6 Bullea 26 7 High Culture Period 27 8 Pre Proto-Haltamti or Proto-Elamite Phase 28 9 Early Numerical Tablets 28 10 Numero-ideographic Tablets 28 11 Proto Haltamti or Proto-Elamite Phase 29 12 Conclusions 30 Bibliography 30 2 The Kingdom of Urartu in North-Western Iran (Ninth–Seventh Century B.C.E) 32 Abstract 32 1 Introduction 32 Abbreviations 42 Bibliography 42 3 Kazim Khan: A Fortress on the Western Side of the Lake Orumiyeh Basin, Iran 44 Abstract 44 1 Introduction 44 2 History of Studies 46 3 The Rock Shelters and the Settlement at the Foot of the Outcrop 46 4 The Main Gate to the Upper Fortress and the Rock-Cut Corridor 47 5 The Fortress 48 6 The Water Storage System 50 7 Conclusions 55 Bibliography 56 4 Assyrian Exploitation of Iranian Territories 57 Abstract 57 1 Introduction 57 2 Shalmaneser I (1273–1244 B.C.) 60 3 Ashurnasirpal II (883–859 B.C.) 60 4 Shalmaneser III (858–824 B.C.) 61 5 Shamshi-Adad V (823–811) 62 6 Adad-Nirari III (810–783 B.C.) 62 7 Tiglath-Pileser III (744–727 B.C.) 63 8 Sargon (722–705) 64 9 Sennacherib 65 10 Esarhaddon 66 11 Ashurbanipal 67 12 Deportation 68 13 Seizure of Animal Resources 70 13.1 SAA 11 68 70 13.2 SAA 13 104 71 13.3 SAA 5 171 71 13.4 SAA 5 202 71 13.5 SAA 5 224 71 14 Seizure of Metal Resources 72 Bibliography 73 5 On Cultural Boundaries and Languages in Western Iran: The Case of the Zagros Gates 75 Abstract 75 1 Introduction 75 2 Ancient Evidence of the Assyro-Babylonian/Zagrosian Boundary 79 3 The Chogha Gavaneh Texts 79 4 Kassite Narûs from Karintaš and Sar-E Pol-E Zohāb 80 5 Neo-Assyrian Rock Reliefs 81 6 Conclusions 81 Bibliography 82 6 Scythian and Zoroastrian Earth Goddesses: A Comparative Study on Api and Ārmaiti 84 Abstract 84 1 Ārmaiti and the Earth 84 2 Scythians 85 3 Scythian Gods 87 4 Ārmaiti and Api: The Wives of Great God 89 5 Api and Ārmaiti: Earth and Water 90 6 Conclusion 91 Bibliography 92 7 Elamites’ Fear of the Underworld Judgment According to Elamite Texts 95 Abstract 95 1 Introduction 95 2 Elamite Religion 96 3 Inšušinak 96 4 The Judgment of Inšušinak in the Underworld 98 5 Conclusion 100 Bibliography 101 8 Introduction and Analysis of Luristan Bronze Pins in the National Museum of Iran 102 Abstract 102 1 Introduction 102 2 Metal Pins and Their Types 104 3 Designs, Production Techniques, and Decoration of Pins 105 4 General Applications of Pins 105 5 Comparison and Relative Dating of Pins 106 6 Conclusion 108 Bibliography 110 9 A Decorative Column Base from Bukan Region (NW-Iran) and Some Remarks on Its Dating’s and Artistic Tradition 111 Abstract 111 1 Introduction 111 2 Background of the Studies 111 3 Introducing the Discovered Column Base 112 4 Comparison and Dating 112 5 The Main Location of Bukan’s Column Base 115 6 Conclusion 118 Bibliography 119 10 The Evidence of Mannaean in Western Hasanlu 120 Abstract 120 1 Introduction 120 2 Kani Kisal 121 3 Objects 123 4 Warfare at Kani Kisal 123 5 Dagger 123 6 Spears 123 7 Arrowheads 124 8 Horse Bit 125 9 Metal Vessel 125 10 Ornaments Objects 126 11 Simple Bracelet 126 12 Bracelet with Knobbed Decoration 126 13 Sheet Metal Bracelet 126 14 Rings 126 15 Straight Pin 127 16 Fragments of the Belt? 127 17 The Pottery 128 18 Dating 128 19 Discussion and Conclusions 128 Bibliography 129 11 The European Connections of the Median Period 131 Abstract 131 Bibliography 149 12 The Citadel of Ulug Depe and the “Median Forts” in Western Iran 154 Abstract 154 1 Geography 157 2 Discussion 166 Bibliography 167 13 Contributions for the Identification of the Human Bust on a Winged Disc in Iranian Arts 170 Abstract 170 1 Introduction 170 Bibliography 181 14 Some Reflexions About Possible Urartean Influences in the Development of the Iranian Architecture Until the Very Beginnings of the Achaemenid Period 183 Abstract 183 Acknowledgements 201 Bibliography 201 15 The Achaemenid Parasol: Symbol of Authority and Feature of Court Protocol 203 Abstract 203 1 Introduction 203 Bibliography 208 16 Glimpse of Highways Network of Achaemenid Empire: Construction, Maintenance and Service 210 Abstract 210 1 Introduction 210 2 Construction 211 3 Maintenance and Security 212 3.1 Security 214 4 Service 214 4.1 Halmi 216 5 Summery 217 Bibliography 217 17 A New Ionic Type Capital from the Shiyan Plain: Tracing an Important Monument of the Seleucid/Parthian Periods Near the Khorasan High Road, Kermanshah, Western Iran 220 Abstract 220 1 Introduction 220 2 The Recently Discovered Capital 222 3 The Context of the Discovery 222 4 The Greek Inscription Reportedly Discovered at Harunabad (Islamabad-e Gharb) 226 5 Conclusion 228 Acknowledgements 228 Bibliography 228 18 Some Notes on the Numismatic Evidence for Imitations in Iran from Third to First Century B.C. 230 Abstract 230 1 Introduction 230 2 The Concept of Imitations 230 2.1 Numismatic Finding Spots in Iran from Third to First Century B.C. 232 Bibliography 241 19 Daggers in Parthian Iran 242 Abstract 242 1 Introduction 242 Bibliography 253 20 From Paganism to Christianity: The Cults of Mithras and Persian Martyrs in Imperial Rome 255 Abstract 255 1 Introduction 255 2 The Mithraea 255 3 Christian Cults 258 4 From Mithraism to Christianity 262 5 Conclusions 264 Bibliography 271 21 Archaeological Study of Khorbas Cave on Qeshm Island 273 Abstract 273 1 Introduction 273 2 Background of Archeological Studies and Surveys on Qeshm Island 274 3 Description of the Studied Site 274 4 Protective and Research Proposals 277 5 Conclusion 283 Acknowledgements 283 References 283 22 Brief Note on the Archaeological Investigation of Parthian Remains of Khorbas Site, Qeshm Island 285 Abstract 285 1 Introduction 285 2 Geographical Position 286 3 History Research 289 4 Parthian Remain 290 5 Concluding Remarks 303 Acknowledgements 303 Bibliography 303 23 Identifying the Pirdooshan Site Boundaries Through Test Excavation, from Kurdistan Province, Iran 304 Abstract 304 1 Introduction 304 2 Research Background 304 3 Geographical Location of Tepe Pirdooshan 305 4 Field Soundings 305 5 Findings 305 6 Concluding Remarks 317 Acknowledgements 317 Bibliography 317 24 A New View on the Possible Reconstruction of the “Famous Clibanarius” Graffito from Dura Europos 318 Abstract 318 1 Introduction 318 2 “Famous Clibanarius” 319 3 Helmet 322 4 Armour 323 5 Conclusions 326 Bibliography 326 25 Investigation on Symbolic Badges in Sasanian Rock Reliefs and Stuccoes 328 Abstract 328 1 Introduction 328 2 Symbolic Badges 329 3 Semiotics and Concepts of Lotus 330 4 Semiotics and Concepts of Life Tree 331 5 Semiotics and Concepts of Crescent 333 6 Semiotics and Concepts of Knurl 335 7 Conclusions 335 Bibliography 336 26 Landscape Archaeology of Abdanan in the Sasanian Period 338 Abstract 338 1 Introduction 338 2 Regional Settlement Pattern Studies in the Landscape Archaeology Setting 339 3 Natural Geography of Abdanan County 342 4 Human and Historical Geography of Abdanan 344 5 Earlier Research 345 6 Settlement Condition of Abdanan in the Sasanian Period 345 7 Distance to Roads 345 8 Distance to Rivers 346 9 Sites’ Elevation from the Sea Level 347 10 Types of Land Use 348 11 Land Vegetation 349 12 Distance from Each Other 350 13 Erosion Level of the Sites Soil 351 14 Sites’ Position According to the Types of Climate 352 15 Analysis 353 16 Conclusions 360 Bibliography 361 27 Relevance of the Diplomatic Activities of Xusrō I Anōšīrvān in China for the Military and Political Situation in the Far East in Sixth Century CE 365 Abstract 365 1 Introduction 365 2 Outline of the Relations Between Iran and China in Antiquity 365 3 Diplomatic Activities of Xusrō I Anōšīrvān 366 4 Conclusion 368 Acknowledgements 369 Bibliography 369 28 Frequency of Using Stone Ossuaries in Marvdasht Plain (Fourth–Seventh Century A.D.): Explaining Funerary Patterns Through Agent-Based Modelling 371 Abstract 371 1 Introduction 371 2 Why Simulation? 372 3 Case Study 372 4 Elements of the Model 373 5 Model Analysis 375 6 Conclusion 378 Acknowledgements 379 Bibliography 379 Front Matter ....Pages i-xxiii How to Develop and Use of Proto-writing in Ancient Iran (Morteza Hessari)....Pages 1-10 The Kingdom of Urartu in North-Western Iran (Ninth–Seventh Century B.C.E) (Ernst Stephan Kroll)....Pages 11-22 Kazim Khan: A Fortress on the Western Side of the Lake Orumiyeh Basin, Iran (Behrouz Khanmohammadi, Keomars Haji Mohammadi, Roberto Dan)....Pages 23-35 Assyrian Exploitation of Iranian Territories (John MacGinnis)....Pages 37-54 On Cultural Boundaries and Languages in Western Iran: The Case of the Zagros Gates (D. T. Potts)....Pages 55-63 Scythian and Zoroastrian Earth Goddesses: A Comparative Study on Api and Ārmaiti (Yazdan Safaee)....Pages 65-75 Elamites’ Fear of the Underworld Judgment According to Elamite Texts (Maryam Dara)....Pages 77-83 Introduction and Analysis of Luristan Bronze Pins in the National Museum of Iran (Mousa Sabzi, Alireza Hejebri Nobari, Esmail Hemati Azandaryani)....Pages 85-93 A Decorative Column Base from Bukan Region (NW-Iran) and Some Remarks on Its Dating’s and Artistic Tradition (Kazem Mollazadeh)....Pages 95-103 The Evidence of Mannaean in Western Hasanlu (Ali Binandeh)....Pages 105-115 The European Connections of the Median Period (Géza Szabó)....Pages 117-139 The Citadel of Ulug Depe and the “Median Forts” in Western Iran (Rémy Boucharlat)....Pages 141-156 Contributions for the Identification of the Human Bust on a Winged Disc in Iranian Arts (Matteo Compareti)....Pages 157-169 Some Reflexions About Possible Urartean Influences in the Development of the Iranian Architecture Until the Very Beginnings of the Achaemenid Period (Alexander Tourovets)....Pages 171-190 The Achaemenid Parasol: Symbol of Authority and Feature of Court Protocol (Judith A. Lerner)....Pages 191-197 Glimpse of Highways Network of Achaemenid Empire: Construction, Maintenance and Service (Leila Makvandi)....Pages 199-208 A New Ionic Type Capital from the Shiyan Plain: Tracing an Important Monument of the Seleucid/Parthian Periods Near the Khorasan High Road, Kermanshah, Western Iran (Sajjad Alibaigi, Shahram Aliyari, Naser Aminikhah)....Pages 209-218 Some Notes on the Numismatic Evidence for Imitations in Iran from Third to First Century B.C. (Philipp Schwinghammer)....Pages 219-230 Daggers in Parthian Iran (Marek Jan Olbrycht)....Pages 231-243 From Paganism to Christianity: The Cults of Mithras and Persian Martyrs in Imperial Rome (Alessandro Luciano)....Pages 245-262 Archaeological Study of Khorbas Cave on Qeshm Island (Taher Ghasimi, Akbar Pirmoradi)....Pages 263-274 Brief Note on the Archaeological Investigation of Parthian Remains of Khorbas Site, Qeshm Island (Sirvan Mohammadi Ghasrian)....Pages 275-293 Identifying the Pirdooshan Site Boundaries Through Test Excavation, from Kurdistan Province, Iran (Amir Saed Mucheshi)....Pages 295-308 A New View on the Possible Reconstruction of the “Famous Clibanarius” Graffito from Dura Europos (Adam Lech Kubik)....Pages 309-318 Investigation on Symbolic Badges in Sasanian Rock Reliefs and Stuccoes (Houshang Rostami, Shahin Aryamanesh)....Pages 319-328 Landscape Archaeology of Abdanan in the Sasanian Period (Hossein Habibi, Yaqoub Mohammadifar)....Pages 329-355 Relevance of the Diplomatic Activities of Xusrō I Anōšīrvān in China for the Military and Political Situation in the Far East in Sixth Century CE (Katarzyna Maksymiuk)....Pages 357-362 Frequency of Using Stone Ossuaries in Marvdasht Plain (Fourth–Seventh Century A.D.): Explaining Funerary Patterns Through Agent-Based Modelling (Mahdokht Farjamirad, Kamal-Aldin Niknami)....Pages 363-371