year 9, Issue 33 (12-2025)
Parseh J. Archaeol. Stud. 2025, 9(33): 255-293 |
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Abbasnejad Seresti R, Koulabadi R. (2025). Velem: A New-found Parthian Cemetery in Mazandaran. Parseh J. Archaeol. Stud.. 9(33), 255-293. doi:10.61882/PJAS.383.982
URL: http://journal.richt.ir/mbp/article-1-982-en.html
URL: http://journal.richt.ir/mbp/article-1-982-en.html
1- Associate Professor, Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Art and Architecture, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran.
2- Assistant Professor, Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran (Corresponding Author). ,r.koulabadi@umz.ac.ir
2- Assistant Professor, Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran (Corresponding Author). ,
Abstract: (642 Views)
The site of Velem is located approximately 500m from the village of Velem, about 36km from Behshahr in the east of Mazandaran province. In 2020 during the construction of a road near the village, this cemetery site was accidentally discovered. In the following year, the rescue excavations were conducted, and burials from pre-Parthian and Parthian period were uncovered. In the first season of excavations twenty-six shaft burials from Parthian period were revealed. This study focuses on the Parthian burials. Since there is limited knowledge about the historical era of northern Iran, especially Mazandaran, the results of excavation at Velem are particularly significant. Furthermore, only a few Parthian sites have been identified in Mazandaran, and the historical knowledge of northern Iran during this period is also limited. In this article, with a descriptive-analytical approach, we try to study the findings from Velem in the first season of excavations to answer the following questions: 1) What is the structure of the graves and the burial methods at Velem? 2) Considering the prevalence of shaft burials in northern Iran, what is the origin and cause of the spread of this burial practice in this region? The field study results show that the Parthian funerary type identified at this site is shaft burial including a corridor, entrance, and burial space. Additionally, a comparative analysis of the graves at this site with similar examples in northern Iran and beyond suggests that this type of burial was common among nomadic peoples. Given the geographical location of northern Iran, it is very likely that this funerary tradition was penetrated to region by north-eastern nomadic population as the movement of a group of nomadic people of Dahae, or it was appeared as a result of the close interactions between nomadic and settled peoples.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special Archeology
Received: 2024/12/7 | Accepted: 2025/04/5 | Published: 2025/12/22
Received: 2024/12/7 | Accepted: 2025/04/5 | Published: 2025/12/22
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