Archaeology
Hossein Habibi
Abstract
The political and administrative structures of the Sasanian Empire have been the focus of numerous research. For the rather recent developments of the subject, though, Rika Gyselen’s studies have been crucial. Thirty years after her trailblazing 1989’s book in the field, the publication of ...
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The political and administrative structures of the Sasanian Empire have been the focus of numerous research. For the rather recent developments of the subject, though, Rika Gyselen’s studies have been crucial. Thirty years after her trailblazing 1989’s book in the field, the publication of La géographie administrative de l’empire sassanide. Les témoignages épigraphiques en moyen-perse have brought about these developments fulfilled and provided us with yet another monumental work of research on the dynamics of the administrative geography of the state. Therefore, the main focuses of this essay are concerned with the review of the latter book and the progress it achieved in the field, along with the academic background of the author. To that end, the content of each chapter is meticulously presented and its potentialities for authorities is noted. Then, some points that could have improved the work and helped it to meet further expectations of an even more comprehensive repertoire, together with suggestions for future research, are succinctly provided. The book delivers a factual account while founding the research design on the examination of Middle-Persian epigraphic primary sources. Therefore, a catalogue raisonné presents a state-of-the-art corpus of Sasanian scholarship according to a diachronic-comparative approach.
Archaeology
Elham Ghasidian
Abstract
In his book Stone Tools in Human Evolution, Behavioural Differences among Technological Primates, John Shea focuses on a new framework for analyzing stone tools to answer questions related to the evolution of human behavior. Although stone tools have great potential for understanding human evolution, ...
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In his book Stone Tools in Human Evolution, Behavioural Differences among Technological Primates, John Shea focuses on a new framework for analyzing stone tools to answer questions related to the evolution of human behavior. Although stone tools have great potential for understanding human evolution, the traditional archaeological approaches in analysis, biased our understanding on human evolution through them. Shea emphasizes that archaeologists must change their traditional approach and find new ways to study human evolution and behavior based on stone tools. This novel method will bring together palaeoanthropologists, palaeogeneticists and archaeologists and lead to a better understanding of the human behavior and evolution. The present paper tries to evaluate this new approach and see how close it is to achieve this goal. Reviewing the book shows that there is still a long way to go to understand human behavior and evolution through the study of stone tools. The book ends with many open questions, leaving readers wondering whether the author was able to tackle the traditional archaeological approach which Shea himself has been critical of throughout the book.
Archaeology
Ehsan Ahmadinya
Abstract
While none of the possible historical sources of Achaemenid royal libraries are available to us, with the exception of Darius the Great’s inscription at Behistun and the Cyrus Cylinder, we do not have any other chronicle inscriptions of this period. A major part of the history of the Achaemenid ...
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While none of the possible historical sources of Achaemenid royal libraries are available to us, with the exception of Darius the Great’s inscription at Behistun and the Cyrus Cylinder, we do not have any other chronicle inscriptions of this period. A major part of the history of the Achaemenid era has been based on the information given from Greek and sometimes Jewish sources, which researchers often point out shortcomings, contradictions, and even their narrative nature. With the development and expansion of the new archeology since the 1960’s up to now, and exploring the most important Achaemenid centers, whose discoveries began about a century earlier, a large amount of inscriptional information as well as information derived from the interpretation of material culture made available to researchers. Among them, the discovery and reading of a significant number of tablets belonging to the Achaemenid administrative and economic archives of some states, such as Pars and Babylon, reveal new information on the Achaemenid administrative and economic mechanisms. In addition, through this information, researchers have been able to extract valuable information from court individuals, as well as socio-historical and Juridical trends, and even specialization in artistic events. According to them, Achaemenid history is brought closer to reality. The evolution of academic science from the middle of the twentieth century led to more specialized science, and social developments at that time also resulted in the formation of movements such as feminism and similar cases. The debates in these new branches have led the way to research into a wide range of history and have led to significant discoveries and perspectives. Maria Brosius is among the scholars who, according to this trend, presented their studies on Achaemenid women in the form of a doctoral thesis and then a book entitled “Women in Ancient Iran (331-559)”. This article reviews and criticizes this book along with one of its Persian translations.
Archaeology
Saeed Amirhajloo
Abstract
The purpose of the settlement pattern analysis in archaeology is to study the relationship between settlements and analyze the impact of environmental and cultural variables on the distribution, displacement, and evolution of the settlements and population changes over time. These studies have been developed ...
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The purpose of the settlement pattern analysis in archaeology is to study the relationship between settlements and analyze the impact of environmental and cultural variables on the distribution, displacement, and evolution of the settlements and population changes over time. These studies have been developed by using combined and interdisciplinary methods. But there are some criticisms regarding the published research works on the mentioned subject in Iran, including inaccuracy of the field survey methods, focusing only on relative chronology, total ignoring of interdisciplinary sciences, satellite and aerial photos, remote sensing methods, the size of sites, taphonomic processes, statistical analysis methods, theories and methods of spatial analysis, and economic factors. Accordingly, it is suggested here that the data collection and analysis could be done by using the combined method that considers the following items: the study of historical texts, full coverage survey of the region, and attention to off-site archaeology especially in Neolithic studies, regarding absolute chronologies before going through the settlement pattern analysis, analysis of animal and plant remains, soil analysis and geophysical methods, statistical analysis, use of models and analysis of economic relations between settlements, and finally, the spatial analysis of settlements based on up-to-date theories and models.
Archaeology
Hassan Basafa; Mohammadsadegh Davari
Abstract
The book Myths of Ancient Bactria and Margiana on its Seals and Amulets is basically a catalog of seals and amulets of BMAC culture, which was obtained during illegal excavations and was auctioned in the antique market of Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. All of these works have been documented by the author ...
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The book Myths of Ancient Bactria and Margiana on its Seals and Amulets is basically a catalog of seals and amulets of BMAC culture, which was obtained during illegal excavations and was auctioned in the antique market of Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. All of these works have been documented by the author of the book, Sarianidi, one of the leading Russian archaeologists, and presented in English, along with a long article. The above work is one of the first publications of BMAC and since it was published in 1989, its study approach has been related to that time and also limited to the results and study hypotheses of the time of its compilation. Many of his hypotheses, especially about the origins of the people of this culture, and many others, need to be fundamentally reconsidered in light of recent research and findings. Since the above book is related to myths, in the present study, an attempt is made to critique and study it with an iconic approach and to explain and complete its study principles. The results indicate many strengths in terms of logical order of content, innovation and use of up-to-date sources compared to the time of compilation, as well as weaknesses in the archaeological foundations of Iran and in addition, strong weaknesses in specialized translation and editing.
Archaeology
Mozhgan Jayez
Abstract
The only translated book into Persian about the classification of archaeological chipped stones is one of the most important technical books named Technology of Knapped Stone by M. Louise-Inizan and colleagues. This book, which is a great source in English and French, is introduced and criticized in ...
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The only translated book into Persian about the classification of archaeological chipped stones is one of the most important technical books named Technology of Knapped Stone by M. Louise-Inizan and colleagues. This book, which is a great source in English and French, is introduced and criticized in this article. Since the book is the only one of its kind available in Persian, its value for the sake of educational purposes is unequivocal, but the quality of the print in translated version is highly questionable regarding the layout, images quality, and graphic design. Another aspect that is criticized in this article is the quality of translation which has been discussed regarding the Persian equivalents chosen for the words describing lithics and the ambiguity of technical descriptions. As a result, proper selection and uniformization of the Persian equivalents of technical vocabulary are recommended.
Archaeology
Mohsen Saadati
Abstract
From among the topics related to archaeology, archaeologists and researchers have always been interested in the archaeology of the Islamic era, as one the most diverse periods with currents regarding art, architecture, urbanism, etc. The present article intends to describe and review An Introduction ...
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From among the topics related to archaeology, archaeologists and researchers have always been interested in the archaeology of the Islamic era, as one the most diverse periods with currents regarding art, architecture, urbanism, etc. The present article intends to describe and review An Introduction to Islamic Archaeology by Marcus Milwright. This research aimed at archaeologically reviewing the Islamic era as one of the important areas in archaeology. The above-mentioned book introduces the Islamic period looking at the social and religious status, some monuments of the Islamic era, cultures, as well as customs and traditions. The current article seeks to review this work in terms of form and content. In such a review, the book is considered in three aspects: technically, structurally, and in terms of writing features. Then in the content review, the accuracy and validity of the material as well as the author’s deficiencies are addressed. The detailed review of this book indicates that despite its remarkable print quality and the relative fluency of the text, the book has several problems in some chapters. In terms of content, the book suffers from a number of drawbacks, for example, it fails to refer to first-hand sources, the images have no reference, there is no general structure for dynasties and governments of the Islamic period and finally, the contents are dispersed given the extensive scope of the subject matter.
Archaeology
Sa’di Saeedyan
Abstract
Despite the prominent place of ancient Iranian civilizations in the study of the history of the Ancient Near East, it has been overshadowed by an overwhelmingly hostile press that is embedded in the European tradition originated in Greco-Roman sources. In fact, there are few works and authors who have ...
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Despite the prominent place of ancient Iranian civilizations in the study of the history of the Ancient Near East, it has been overshadowed by an overwhelmingly hostile press that is embedded in the European tradition originated in Greco-Roman sources. In fact, there are few works and authors who have not been affected by this negative west-centric approach. Maria Brosius’s book “The Persians” is one of the latest works dealing with the socio-cultural achievements of three great kingdoms of Pre-Islamic Iran, i-e Achaemenids, Parthians, and Sassanians taking an unbiased approach and up-to-date sources. The present article deals with the advantages and disadvantages of this book and the form and content of it will be examined within the framework of an academic review. The result of the present study indicates that in spite of many advantages of the book such as modernity, unbiased approach, coherent structure, logical order, simple and fluid text, and good translation, it has its own weak points just like any other compilation. Among the most important disadvantages of work can be lack of some significant chapters like Elamite, Median and Seleucid empire and absence of any discernable summary or conclusion.
Archaeology
Rahmat Abbasnejad Seresti; Saeid Babamir Satehi; Narjes Heydari
Abstract
The settlement Archeology is a common method of analysis that uses scientific methods to study three important components, including individual structures, social settlement, and regional settlement. This method analyzes the relationship between environmental variables and livelihoods and social settlement, ...
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The settlement Archeology is a common method of analysis that uses scientific methods to study three important components, including individual structures, social settlement, and regional settlement. This method analyzes the relationship between environmental variables and livelihoods and social settlement, reconstructs the socio-economic organizations of past societies, and determines the size, function, distance, and relationship of settlements. The present study has succeeded in identifying more than 80 texts in the form of dissertations, thesis, and scientific-research and extension scientific articles that have directly and indirectly addressed this issue. Less attention to the basic issues and methods of the settlement archeology, and no use of paleontological research to identify environmental variables in the context of the ancient landscape, are the most important methodological and conceptual problems of the texts. To these problems must be added the poor utilization of scientific tools and methods such as Satellite and Aerial Photography, Archaeogeophysics, Virtual Reality, Geographic Information System (GIS) and Statistical Methods. Providing desirable research credits and playing the role of related institutes and universities are among the most important strategies for the correct and scientific implementation of this method.
Archaeology
Mohammad Mortezaei
Abstract
As an enthused group in the late Umayyad period, the Abbasids sought to mobilize their resources in the engagement with the ruling dynasty by presenting a new ideology, viz. the so-called Summon System, and undertook significant actions in enticing anti-Umayyad elements to bring them under the unified ...
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As an enthused group in the late Umayyad period, the Abbasids sought to mobilize their resources in the engagement with the ruling dynasty by presenting a new ideology, viz. the so-called Summon System, and undertook significant actions in enticing anti-Umayyad elements to bring them under the unified patronage promoted by the slogan “al-Riza min Al-e Muhammad.” The book The Rise and Fall of the Abbasids (132‒324 AH): A Research into the Structure and Evolution of the Ideology, Economics and Military Institution is an authored work by Mohammad Ahmadi Manesh, published by the SAMT Publications in 2018. The author has fittingly organized the book in the two sections of “A Historical Inquiry” (consisting of eight chapters) and “A Theoretical Inquiry” (comprising two chapters), producing a worthwhile work. The present article attempts to review the volume, pinning down and examining its strengths and shortcomings. At any rate, as a result of the lack of due care and laxity, the volume suffers somewhat from occasional shortfalls, among them being the choice of the title “The Fall and Down…,” and a series of points that are made in the Introduction but are not reflected in the text, not to mention the author’s failure to address the complexities involved in the Abbasid rule and to adopt a holistic approach to their rise to power, particularly in Khorasan.
Archaeology
Yaser Malekzadeh; Sorour Khorashadi
Abstract
Parvaneh Pourshariati’s study, “Decline and Fall of the Sasanian Empire. The Sasanian-Parthian Confederacy and the Arab Conquest of Iran”, is a substantial investigation that offers a novel perspective supported by a great number of details and data from multiple disciplines. This book ...
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Parvaneh Pourshariati’s study, “Decline and Fall of the Sasanian Empire. The Sasanian-Parthian Confederacy and the Arab Conquest of Iran”, is a substantial investigation that offers a novel perspective supported by a great number of details and data from multiple disciplines. This book has received various receptions in the scholarship. The paper is dedicated to the reexamination of three conceptual constituents in the Pourshariati’s narrative: first, her master thesis concerning the confederation nature of the Sassanid state. Second, the religious-cultural differences among the Persians and the Parthians. Third, the chronology of the Futuh. Through a critical-analytic approach, the authors argue that opposing Pourshariati’s master thesis, there seem to be sequential periods of centralization and de-decentralization in the Sassanid Empire. Furthermore, we discuss that, in spite of Pourshariati’s interesting idea about the religious differences between Pārsīg and Pahlaw, her argument is not justified.
Archaeology
Majid Montazer Zohori; Hossein Sedighian
Abstract
Pottery is one of the most prominent aspects of Islamic crafts which flourished in both production and decoration. According to the archaeological pieces of evidence the Kūbāchi wares have been spread from Khorasan to Tabriz and it ever-known centers of production were Isfahan, Kerman, Neyshabur, Mashhad ...
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Pottery is one of the most prominent aspects of Islamic crafts which flourished in both production and decoration. According to the archaeological pieces of evidence the Kūbāchi wares have been spread from Khorasan to Tabriz and it ever-known centers of production were Isfahan, Kerman, Neyshabur, Mashhad and Tabriz. The book of “The Pottery Known as Kūbāchi” is the newest and the possibility most prominent written source about this subject, which argues the archaeological aspects of these wares. This paper aims to introduce the book and review its structure and contents. The first step of review had been started with structural aspects and the process of the narration, and then the content. One of the strengths of this book is the concentration on the various archaeological aspects of this type of pottery. Besides, it can be mentioned that the book could be more attractive to the audience if the documentation and references were more precise. There are some other deficiencies in the typology and categorizing the potteries, those can be edited by the author.
Archaeology
Seyyed Milad Hashemi
Abstract
Professor Robin Dennell is one of the most well-known Paleolithic archaeologists with a specialty on Asia. His recent book, published by Routledge Publication in 2020, is a good example of borrowing ecological and biological concepts, and in particular, invasion biology in archaeology. The focus of this ...
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Professor Robin Dennell is one of the most well-known Paleolithic archaeologists with a specialty on Asia. His recent book, published by Routledge Publication in 2020, is a good example of borrowing ecological and biological concepts, and in particular, invasion biology in archaeology. The focus of this book is on the dispersal of Middle and Upper Paleolithic hominins and the dynamism of their range expansion/ contraction in Asia. In the book, our species, modern human, is introduced as an invasive species from an ecological point of view; because such groups quickly settled across the whole ancient continent and in doing so, others, such as Neanderthals became extinct. This occurrence put an end to the biological diversity of the genus Homo forever. Due to its comprehensiveness, the use of the most up-to-date evidence and publications, as well as the interdisciplinary approaches, the book is a must-read for Paleolithic archaeologists interested in the mobility of human populations, landscape archaeology, the exodus of modern humans out of Africa, and the resultant colonization of Asia.
Archaeology
Shahin Aryamanesh; Sorour Khorashadi
Abstract
The Scythians tribes were one of the nomadic tribes inhabiting large areas in the central Eurasian steppes from about the 9th century BC up until the 4th century AD. These tribes moved into parts of present-day Iran after many displacements in the first millennium BC. These tribes have played important ...
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The Scythians tribes were one of the nomadic tribes inhabiting large areas in the central Eurasian steppes from about the 9th century BC up until the 4th century AD. These tribes moved into parts of present-day Iran after many displacements in the first millennium BC. These tribes have played important role in central Eurasian steppes and in Persian and part of India. What scholars know about the Scythians tribes based on the writings of Herodotus. These people have played an important role in Persian and Indian epics, as well as in various historical periods of Iran, such as the Iron Age and Achaemenid and Parthian periods. Their presence in Iran has been illustrated by at least the name of one of the Iranian cities, Sakestan or Sistan, which is the name of these people. Few archaeological findings in Iran have been attributed to Scythians. However, in recent years, new burial grounds have been found which shed new light on the Scythian’s presence in Persia and central Eurasian that appears to confirm the writing of historians. In recent years many articles and books have been published about Scythians based on archaeological findings. Recently a new book has been published entitled Scythians Warriors of Ancient Siberia. This paper critically reviews this book edited by St. John Simpson and Svetlana Pankova.
Archaeology
Javad Hoseinzadeh Sadati
Abstract
“Archaeological Approaches to Technology” by Heather Margaret-Louise Miller, professor at the University of Toronto is truly an updated survey on technology and crafts in archaeology that witnesses the hard efforts of the author. A critical review of the Persian translation of the book will ...
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“Archaeological Approaches to Technology” by Heather Margaret-Louise Miller, professor at the University of Toronto is truly an updated survey on technology and crafts in archaeology that witnesses the hard efforts of the author. A critical review of the Persian translation of the book will lead us to improve future translations in this area of study. To do this critical review, the author of this paper first read the whole book in a precise way and then made some notes over those parts of the book that were necessary in terms of contents or in editorial aspects. Then to correct some downsides, it was necessary to compare the Persian translation with the original texts, and finally some suggestions have been made for improving the translation. One of the most notable aspects of the book is its wide references over different areas of studies in each section. This could be very useful for graduate students who seek to work on crafts and technology in archaeology. Persian translation of the book has been done in a good way by Vahid Asgarpoor, assistant professor of Art at University of Tabriz, a young and active archaeologist. From the technical point of view, the book is printed and edited in a professional way, the combination of which with its simple translation would probably satisfy the readers. The biggest shortage of the translation is that the translator sticks too much to the main texts and its structure in a way that in some parts of the book the grammar is more like the original language than to Persian.
Archaeology
Afshin Khosrosani
Abstract
Historians and scholars have cited many reasons for Sasanian’s defeat by the Arab. In 2008, Parvaneh Pourshariati revived this topic by publishing the book Decline and Fall of the Sasanian Empire: The Sasanian–Parthian Confederacy and the Arab Conquest of Iran. With an innovative and rare ...
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Historians and scholars have cited many reasons for Sasanian’s defeat by the Arab. In 2008, Parvaneh Pourshariati revived this topic by publishing the book Decline and Fall of the Sasanian Empire: The Sasanian–Parthian Confederacy and the Arab Conquest of Iran. With an innovative and rare methodology, she presented a new and rare narrative of the fall of the Sasanian. Analyzing written sources and archaeological evidence, Pourshariati acknowledges that the Sasanian kingdom consisted of the Sasanian-Parthian confederacy and by not supporting the Sasanian on behalf of Parthian dynasties, the Arab succeeded to come to an end the Sasanian kingdom. Some of the shortcomings of the book are the acceptance of some narratives and interpretations uncritically, the lack of attention to the final impact of the Sasanian’s war with the Romans and its impact on the decline of this dynasty, the lack of proper analysis of archaeological evidence, and most importantly, little attention to environmental disasters and severe damage to the irrigation system of Mesopotamia at the end of the Sasanian epoch. The following article tries to examine these shortcomings and will evaluate the book in light of the mentioned cases.
Archaeology
Ebrahim Raiygan
Abstract
The Achaemenid Army is considered an integral part in recognizing the culture and civilization of this period, and the research potential of this part of Achaemenid civilization has led to the writing and publication of such works in this regard. The book of the Achaemenid Persian Army was compiled as ...
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The Achaemenid Army is considered an integral part in recognizing the culture and civilization of this period, and the research potential of this part of Achaemenid civilization has led to the writing and publication of such works in this regard. The book of the Achaemenid Persian Army was compiled as such exigency. This effect has influenced the factors affecting the formation, growth, and development as well as the decline of Achaemenid army. The purpose of the present study is to clarify the value of the text of this book in the form of content analysis. In addition to the strengths and research fields, this book has shortcomings that have been addressed in the research. In the overall conclusion, the strengths of the syntactic book and the combination of two categories of sources, including classical historical texts as well as archaeological data along with illustrative illustrations. The book’s weaknesses include inappropriate use of resources, inadequacies of content, some unpredictable claims, and lack of material content. In sum, the present book can be considered as a source of tuition for the Achaemenid history courses, as well as the Achaemenid archeology of the undergraduate and master classes in ancient Iranian history and Historical archaeological period.
Archaeology
Roghayeh Rahimi Sorkhani
Abstract
The present study tries to evaluate and pinpoint the structural and content weaknesses and strengths of the book, entitled Archaeology of Iran (Tourism Planning and Management), authored by Karim Hajizadeh and Parviz Pourkarimi. In terms of content, the book is one of the rare and vanguard compilations ...
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The present study tries to evaluate and pinpoint the structural and content weaknesses and strengths of the book, entitled Archaeology of Iran (Tourism Planning and Management), authored by Karim Hajizadeh and Parviz Pourkarimi. In terms of content, the book is one of the rare and vanguard compilations in the field of the relationship between archeology and tourism in Iran. However, it has some deficiencies in different parts of this subject. The author in the present paper aimed to analyze and criticize the features and deficiencies of content and writing from several viewpoints, such as the conformity of the book subjects with approved topics by Planning Higher Council, the correctness or inaccuracy of the relationship between the content and the title of the book, the quality of the use of valid and new references as well as the typographic mistakes that cannot be ignored. The present article suggests that the book, despite its rich content and impact on the applied archaeology, seems to be used as an academic course of "Archaeology of Iran" needs to be reconsidered.
Archaeology
Sajjad Alibaigi
Abstract
During the excavation at Tappeh Pardis in Varamin, North of the central plateau, several heating structures have been discovered, which were called pottery kiln. Considering the accumulation of this type of structure in the eastern part of the site, they have assumed that these structures are specialized ...
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During the excavation at Tappeh Pardis in Varamin, North of the central plateau, several heating structures have been discovered, which were called pottery kiln. Considering the accumulation of this type of structure in the eastern part of the site, they have assumed that these structures are specialized ceramic production in the intensive industrial area of the fifth millennium BC. Therefore, these structures were called the first kilns of this period on the central plateau of Iran. In this article, I try to show, based on several archaeological evidence, that this notion is not correct, and all the interpretations presented on the basis of this evidence should be reviewed. The heating structures from Tappeh Pardis are not unique in the prehistory of Iran, and their samples have been obtained in excavations of several sites, which are also within the settlement area and clearly show the type of ovens. In fact, when the discovered structures are not kilns, the tangible archaeological evidence to belong them as workshops is low, and it would not be possible to accept that large-scale specialized activities, especially in relation to production and bake pottery, have been done in this part. These structures are located among the architectural spaces and various materials like pottery, beads, oyster, Sling, Token, Clay Spindle, bones, etc. have been discovered in there. In fact, the excavator cannot describe the type and function of the kiln and cannot explain the presence of Tokens, Slings and Clay Spindle, baked pottery, animal bone, and carbonized Cereals in excavated deposits? Moreover, how can there be baked pottery and Slag, as well as Slings, flakes, and unbaked tokens? This evidence is enough to doubt the function of structures as a kiln. The documents show that the structures do not have function as kiln, According to them, it is impossible to establish a direct relationship between the nature of the Tappeh Pardis and changes in the social levels of the community. Therefore, it cannot be accepted that these structures are related to the form and structure of society and systems that Fazelin-Neshi and his colleagues called them classified society, elites, and chiefdoms.
Archaeology
Yaser Malekzadeh; Sorour Khorashadi
Abstract
The Roman historian Tacitus’ s Book of Annals is an important historical source on the history of the Parthians and their neighbors. Although Mirsaidi’s, the translator, main focus is on Roman history, this book also has some very important mentions on the role of the Parthians and ...
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The Roman historian Tacitus’ s Book of Annals is an important historical source on the history of the Parthians and their neighbors. Although Mirsaidi’s, the translator, main focus is on Roman history, this book also has some very important mentions on the role of the Parthians and their subordinate lands, but they were not translated. In this work, a comparative study was conducted between the original English version of the book and its Persian translation to examine the accuracy of the content of the Persian translation. The authors have tried to review the translation of the book after introducing the main gist of the book and some of its important non-Persian editions and subsequently comparing these translations with its English translation. This reminds the value and/or issues related to the work, along with an emphasis on some neglected points in the Persian translation. The writers of this article have translated some parts of the book, which relates to Parthian history in Iberia and Armenia. Iranian and Parthian houses played an important role in these lands. These parts are not in the Mirsa’idi’s translation, but their history was in association with Parthian history in Persia.
Archaeology
Reza Mehrafarin; Shahin Aryamanesh
Abstract
One of the goddesses figures, used in the works of the Parthian and Sasanian periods, is the Greek goddess Nike figure. This goddess figure has been used in the Parthian period on Parthian coins and rock reliefs. In Sasanian era goddess Nike has also been depicted on some rock reliefs. Various views ...
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One of the goddesses figures, used in the works of the Parthian and Sasanian periods, is the Greek goddess Nike figure. This goddess figure has been used in the Parthian period on Parthian coins and rock reliefs. In Sasanian era goddess Nike has also been depicted on some rock reliefs. Various views have been expressed about these figures, as some believe that the Parthians with using Greeks iconography, depict the Iranian goddess. So described the Nike goddess in the Parthian period was identical with the Ashi and Vanand. However, the kingdom, as Vologases I, made an outstanding contribution to rebuilding Iranian culture and religions when it came to reign and also tried to eliminate the cultural remains of Greek in Iran. According to the book of Denkard at the time of Vologases, the Avesta text was collected and the Greek names of the cities were renamed by Iranian names. For the first time, he also used the Parthian Pahlavi line and fire-altar on his coins, maybe because of the fact that he removed the figure of Nike goddess from his coins. The authors of this paper deal with the figure of Nike goddess among the Greeks and the Seleucid and the Parthian period. Then they examine the views about Nike Goddess expressed on it in Iranian culture. They continue to conclude that the figure of Nike goddess in the Parthian period was not identical with the Ashi and Vanand. For this reason, Vologases I, eliminated the figure of Nike goddess from his coins during his reign with the goal of Persianism and the abandonment of non-Iranian symbols.
Archaeology
Hamed Vahdati Nasab
Abstract
Carlton Stevens Coon is one of the most prominent figures in the Prehistoric Archaeology of Iran. He conducted the first systematic field expeditions in the Iranian Archaeology 70 years ago. For many years his works have been taught in the Iranian universities. Now and after almost seventy years, a need ...
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Carlton Stevens Coon is one of the most prominent figures in the Prehistoric Archaeology of Iran. He conducted the first systematic field expeditions in the Iranian Archaeology 70 years ago. For many years his works have been taught in the Iranian universities. Now and after almost seventy years, a need for critical review of his works sounds inevitable. In this research, such review was performed based on five categories: theoretical approaches of the field works, degree of specialty, fieldwork approaches, data collecting methods, and data processing procedures. The results indicate that his theoretical and practical approaches have suffered from many weaknesses. Coon’s main concern was to find human remains (Neanderthals in particular) rather than conducting clean archaeology excavations. On the other hand, his horrifyingly racist publications, rumors about his employment as an intelligence operative by the CIA during the WW II and the Cold War, plus countless unanswered questions concerning the sites he chose to excavate in Iran, all support this hypothesis that Archaeology was not his first priority in Iran.
Archaeology
Mahsa Veisi
Abstract
This study examines the reasons for the commitment to change in the Archaeology curriculum at all levels of its curriculum, not based on preferences but on the basis of competency-based curriculum models. The undergraduate and postgraduate courses in this field have not been reviewed for more than thirty ...
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This study examines the reasons for the commitment to change in the Archaeology curriculum at all levels of its curriculum, not based on preferences but on the basis of competency-based curriculum models. The undergraduate and postgraduate courses in this field have not been reviewed for more than thirty years, and the PhD curriculum has been the same since its beginning. Today, in the world, curricula are shifting to skill-based, and many elements are being considered in formulating these programs. This study, considering the skills defined for archaeological graduates in the US Occupational Information Network (O * NET) as an index of the content analysis of archaeological educational competence in Iran, examines the relevance of this. The chapters deal with the skills. Its main purpose is to emphasize the need to review these courses based on a competency-based curriculum approach. The collection of data required in this study is library and documentary, and the method of data processing is descriptive and explanatory.
Archaeology
Seyyed Milad Hashemi
Abstract
Professor Robin W. Dennell is a well-known British archaeologist specialized in Asian Paleolithic studies. One of his books, entitled “The Paleolithic Settlement of Asia”, published by Cambridge University Press, is reviewed here. It is considered a skillful synthesis of archaeological, paleoanthropological, ...
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Professor Robin W. Dennell is a well-known British archaeologist specialized in Asian Paleolithic studies. One of his books, entitled “The Paleolithic Settlement of Asia”, published by Cambridge University Press, is reviewed here. It is considered a skillful synthesis of archaeological, paleoanthropological, and paleoclimatological evidence of Early and Middle Pleistocene periods in Asia. The book comprises some important and rather innovative ideas about the subject which the author had been developing during his academic life; for instance, among them are the idea of the presence of an extensive grassland belt stretching from northeast Africa to east Asia during Early Pleistocene, which facilitated the dispersal of hominins out of Africa (Out of Africa I). Another novel hypothesis that is discussed in the book is the controversial idea that Asia could be considered where Homo erectus was originated. Apart from what is mentioned, a large part of the book is dedicated to the climatic fluctuations and the evolution and dispersal of hominins during Early-Middle Pleistocene periods. The evidence used in the book has been recovered from well-known archaeological sites containing hominin fossils and faunal remains, as well as from major maritime and continental sites within which paleoclimatic investigations have been conducted. The mentioned book is considered one of the pioneering attempts to modify the absolute Afrocentric view in Lower Paleolithic Archaeology.
