Parseh Journal of Archaeological Studies

Research on the real identity of Bibi doost hills of Sistan, based on of reading ancient sources and study of archaeological findings with emphasis on pottery

Mohammad Keikha

Bibi Doost hills series around Bonjar city of the central part of Zabol city in the north of Sistan and Baluchestan province along the Niatak Duct in a north-south direction. These series of hills due to its Massive volume of cultural materials, especially pottery samples and the proximity to the Zahedan Kohne site the second government of Sistan in the Islamic era it is of special importance in the Studies of Archaeology and History of Sistan, Accordingly with the issuance of a license from the Archaeological Research Institute in 2016, speculation to determine the area and privacy done. In this study 877 pieces of pottery related to the Islamic era were identified, recorded and studied. Examples mentioned in four groups: Simple unglazed pottery, no engraved glaze, Simple glazed and Glazed engraved were located. in this research an attempt was made to start Study ancient sources And Archaeological Researches The Real Identity of Bibi Doost Hills in the North of Zahedan Kohne Then, the samples of pottery collected from the level of Bibi Doost hills should be applied to: their typology and relative dating. The results of the studies indicate that it is important that the Bibi Doost hills are part of the second capital of Sistan due to its location in the area of Zahedan Kohne. And the results of the study conducted on its pottery also informs about the technique of making high quality pottery in the Islamic era, in the north of Sistan plain. The results of the studies also clearly show the cultural connection of this region with the Baluchistan basins of Iran and Afghanistan, Greater Khorasan, Kerman, Central Plateau and parts of Central Asia. The present study intends to provide a ground for illuminating a part of the Islamic era of Sistan by conducting a scientific and methodical study.

Archaeological Survey of Ismaili Fortresses in Damghan with Emphasis on Geographical Variables

Mahid Montazer zohouri

The relationship between humans and nature has been a common feature throughout human history. In this two-way relationship, humans have utilized geographical conditions to increase productivity, while the geographical location has also influenced cultural attitudes and structures. This mutual relationship has led to compatibility with progress, evident in the architecture, establishment locations, access to resources, and other variables. The location of Ismaili Fortresses in Damghan city is also influenced by geographical conditions. Therefore, the main focus of this research is to gain a better understanding of how geographical variables have influenced the selection, creation, and continuation of settlements in Ismaili Fortresses. Through a descriptive and analytical approach, utilizing library resources, conducting an archaeological field survey of Damghan city, and using modern aerial imaging tools and geographic information system (GIS) analysis, this study aims to answer the question of how geographic variables have played a role in the selection and continuity of Ismaili Fortress settlements. Based on written sources, aerial images, and GIS analysis, it can be hypothesized that geographic variables such as altitude, climate, geology and mineral resources, water resources, and regional and extra-regional communication routes have played a significant role in the architecture and location selection of Fortresses, as well as the continued habitation in them. It is evident that these establishments served various purposes, including military, residential, and surveillance, and were strategically located for optimal use.

Archaeological excavation in Tapeh Gohareh of bistun, a site Remaining from the Seleucid and Parthian periods

Seyyed mehdi Mousavi

Tape Gohareh is an ancient site located in Kermanshah province, in the Bistun region (ancient Bagistana). Surface evidence obtained from initial surveys at this site indicates the presence of cultural artifacts from the Seleucid and Parthian periods. This research aims to investigate and analyze the historical and cultural status of Tape Gohareh and its connections with contemporary cultural centers in the Bagistana and Central Zagros regions. The research is based on field methods and documentary approaches. In the first method, archeological exploration was conducted to document cultural remains and findings, followed by a study of historical documents including books, published articles, and excavation reports as references. The results indicate the existence of an important ancient site from the Seleucid and Parthian periods in the Bagistana and Central Zagros regions, which can contribute to further study and understanding of cultural artifacts such as the pottery chronology from this period in the area. Architectural remains were found at Tape Gohareh in various settlements and phases, along with significant pottery types including decorated pottery, glazed pottery, kiln-fired pottery, plain pottery, as well as other cultural findings. The examination and study of these findings indicate cultural similarities between Tape Gohareh and other prominent sites in Central Zagros such as Sorkh Dom Laki in Kuhdasht, Laodicea in Nahavand, Anahita in kangavar and Ecbatana in Hamedan. It also appears that Tape Gohareh had social and cultural interactions with ancient Bagistana and had a significant impact on its historical landscape.

Rereading and identification of RWB ware Chalcolithic period painted pottery from the Mahidasht project, western central Zagros

Hassan Fazeli Nesheli

The ceramic analyzed in this article, labeled as Red White and Black (RWB) ware in the Mahidasht region, is a painted pottery tradition in the west of central Zagros. Our information regarding this was limited to published information on the Mahidasht 1975-78 project. Following the Iranian Revolution in 1978-79, the fieldwork of the Mahidasht project ended, leaving the data and particularly information concerning the Red White and Black (RWB) unpublished. So, more questions and hesitation remain about this ceramic that should be answered. What are the essential characteristics of Red White and Black pottery? What is the exact chronology of this ware in the chalcolithic sequence of western Iran? How is the distribution realm of this ware in the west of Iran? So to answer these proposed questions and also to give an updated view from Red White and Black ceramic in the chalcolithic period studies in the west of Iran, the RWB ware of the Mahidasht project belonging to the Siahbid 1978 excavation stored at the National Museum of Iran was analysed. In addition to the investigation of RWB ceramics at the National Museum of Iran, the published information concerning the most recent archaeological survey and excavations project done in the western parts of Iran has also been considered. This study has resulted in a complete and updated view concerning the different aspects of the Red White and Black (RWB) ware studies, like chronology, settlement pattern, ware characteristics, dating, and.... It became clear to us that some of the surveyed and excavated sites in different parts of western Iran date back to the early phases of the Chalcolithic period based on observation of Black On Buff (BOB) ceramics involving Red White and Black (RWB) ware instead of BOB ceramics and dating to later phases of chalcolithic period consequently. in addition to such dating that request future revision, our study on the Red White and Black ceramic in this article yielded more interested results in this regards.

An Archaeological Reflection on the Absence of the Names of the Prophet Muhammad and Islam on Early Islamic Material Culture

Majid Montazer Zohouri

The absence of the name "Muhammad" and the term "Islam" on cultural artifacts from the first decades of the early Islamic has long raised questions among historians and archaeologists. Some have taken an extreme position, denying the very existence of a historical Muhammad or a religious movement called Islam—a view that, of course, finds no place in this study. Others have offered more nuanced interpretations, though not entirely convincing, which have nevertheless inspired the writing of this paper. This latter group attributes the absence of Muhammad’s name and Islam to the lack of a centralized and cohesive political authority during this period. According to their view, before the rise of ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Marwān, the Islamic polity resembled more of a loose tribal confederation than a structured state. Thus, they argue that it was only under ʿAbd al-Malik’s rule that early Islamic society became organized and a distinct Islamic identity took shape. However, directly linking these two absences—the lack of references to Muhammad and Islam on one hand, and the absence of a centralized state on the other—does not seem entirely justified. Therefore, this study seeks to analyze the omission of Muhammad and Islam in early Islamic-era artifacts in relation to broader ambiguities in religious boundaries and the evolution of conceptual frameworks. To achieve this, topics such as shared sacred spaces, the Qur’anic concepts of "dīn" and "islām," and the development of the Shahādah will be examined. Ultimately, it can be argued that the process of Islamization was gradual. Moreover, many commonly held assumptions must be approached with caution. What is today accepted as historical fact about this period is often the product of layered narratives shaped over time under various influences. These narrative constructions have sometimes been deliberate, serving specific interests, and at other times unconscious, arising from the limitations of historical understanding.