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Hamid Hariryan, Saman Heydari-Guran, Abbas Motarjem, Elham Ghasidian,
year 4, Issue 14 (2-2021)
year 4, Issue 14 (2-2021)
Abstract
Abstract
Most of our knowledge on the Palaeolithic of the Iranian Plateau derives from a scientific focus on the area of the Zagros Mountains. In recent years, several Palaeolithic research projects have been conducted in different parts of Iran, including southern piedmonts of the Alborz Mountains and the Iranian Central Plateau. The present paper is an introduction to the archaeological pieces of evidence of a Palaeolithic occupation on the southern slopes of the Alborz Mountains. Sorheh Rockshelter is the first site among a cluster of 8 caves and rock shelters located around 80 km northwest of Tehran. The Palaeolithic artifacts have been recovered from at least three looters’ pits at the center of the rock shelter. Sorheh is significant at least for two aspects: firstly, since the southern slopes of the Alborz Mountains have not yet been identified for the Palaeolithic, the site provides unique data on the Iranian Plateau. Secondly, the site’s location and the physiogeographic and lithic analyses of Sorheh are invaluable for the reconstruction of hominin behavior and settlement patterns in this under-researched area.
Keywords: Central Iranian Plateau, Alborz Mountains, West-Central Zagros, Middle Palaeolithic, Levallois.
Introduction
Compared to the wealth of Palaeolithic data from the Zagros region, the piedmonts of the Alborz Mountains have received little scientific attention. The focus has been on the northern slopes, although the intermountain valleys of the southern Alborz Mountains could have been biogeographically suitable for hunter-gatherers. Since the first systematic efforts of the Palaeolithic research in the Alborz Mountains by Carlton Coon in 1949 (1951, 1957), a few Palaeolithic sites have been discovered in the northern and southern slopes of the Alborz Mountains. Moving from the southern slopes of the Alborz Mountains towards the center of the Iranian Plateau, the number of Palaeolithic sites increases. Especially in recent years, many critical Palaeolithic localities have been identified on the interior plains of the Central Iranian Plateau (Biglari 2003, Masoumi et al. 2010, Eskandari et al. 2010, Vahdati Nasab and Feyz 2014, Vahdati Nasab et al. 2009, 2013, 2014, 2016, Heydari-Guran and Ghasidian 2011, Heydari-Guran et al. 2015, Kaboli 1999).
From the physio-geographical point of view, it seems that the sites located on the southern slopes of Alborz Mountain are related to the inner parts of the Central Iranian Plateau (Heydari-Guran et al., 2015). However, it has always been questioned whether the southern slopes of Alborz, like the northern slopes, were an area of human presence during the Palaeolithic. If so, was there a connection between the inhabitants of the southern and northern Alborz slopes? What about the connections to the inhabitants of the interior plains of the Iranian Plateau? Such questions led the authors to study the valleys located in the Southern Alborz Mountain foothills around 80 km crow flies to Tehran’s northwest. The survey in this region has led to the discovery of a complex of caves and rock shelters. The lithic artifacts from one site, Sorheh Rockshelter, presents new insights into the study of human settlement and behavior during the Late Pleistocene in the Iranian Plateau.
Sorheh in the Palaeolithic Context of the Iranian Plateau
The Sorheh complex consists of 6 caves, and rock shelters were firstly identified in 2018 by one of the authors (H.H.). The complex is formed in a deep drainage system within tuff, shale, and sandstone lithology along the Senj River. It is located around 19 km north of the modern city of Karaj, at a longitude of 50,957,183 and latitude of 35,992,211, and approximately 1900 m above sea level. The first site of this complex on the west side of the valley, Sorheh Rockshelter, revealed rich Palaeolithic depositions. Preliminary examining the exposed strata and accumulated soil confirmed that the site is rich in archaeological remains.
Five other shelters of the Sorheh complex are located between 20 and 70 m east of Sorheh Rockshelter. They mostly consist of a rocky surface with poor deposition; some were destroyed by the looters’ pits. The bedrock dip in two rock-shelters is towards the front slope caused no preservation of archaeological deposits. The last shelter of this complex is attached to the Senj River and is endangered by periodically river flooding, thus empty of archaeological deposits. The newly-constructed road between the villages of Baraghan at the west to Vamkouh at the east destroyed partly two rock shelters; however, it provided easier access to Sorheh Rockshelter.
In general, the lithic techno-typological characteristics of Sorheh presents significant Middle Palaeolithic elements. These lithic artifacts bear little resemblance to their counterparts from Zagros, such as Warwasi, Bisetun, and Kunji (Dibble and Holdaway 1993, Dibble 1984, Baumler and Speth, 1993). However, a comparison with Zagros sites is not plausible because of the considerable distance between these sites and the Alborz. The sites located in the interior regions of the Iranian Plateau, perhaps, provide more relevant information. Most of the Central Plateau open-air sites, including Chah-e Jam, Mirak, Zaviyeh, and Holabad, are flake-oriented, and Levallois technology has widely been used (Heydari-Guran and Ghasidian 2011, Heydari-Guran et al. 2015, Vahdati Nasab et al. 2013, Vahdati Nasab and Hashemi 2016). Levallois technology was observed abundantly among Sorheh collection, though heavily retouched tools, reminiscent of the Zagros Mousterian, are nearly absent.
Sorheh’s collection reveals more similarities to two open-air sites of Moghanak and Otchounak. The lithic artifacts from these sites are mostly based on the production of blades and elongated flakes (Berillon et al. 2007). The Levallois technology was broadly practiced in Moghanak and Otchounak. The points from Moghanak are plain and unretouched, reminiscent of the Sorheh points. Due to the lack of characteristic retouched tools in Moghanak and Otchounak, no typological comparisons were possible.
Conclusion
The evidence from Sorheh, Zagros Mountains, and the Iranian Central Plateau indicate various subsistence strategies in different geographical regions. This issue put forward the idea of cultural variability among the Middle Palaeolithic populations (Heydari-Guran et al., 2015) in contrast to the notion of cultural homogeneity (Mousterian) throughout the Iranian Plateau (Rosenberg 1988, Biglari et al. 2009, Piperno 1972).
Considering the high elevation of 1900 m asl., Sorheh Rockshelter, after Ghaleh Kurd with 2100 m asl., is one of the highest-elevated Palaeolithic sites on the Iranian Plateau. Ghaleh Kurd has revealed Middle Palaeolithic artifacts assigned to the Mousterian techno-complex (Soleimani and Alibeigi 2012). The study of the deposits from Sorheh will provide valuable information on the climatic changes during MIS 5 to 3 up to Holocene. It seems that the area, despite high altitude, periodically provided ideal settlement conditions. Climatic amelioration intervals made the region suitable for settlement. Therefore, the detailed physiogeographic study of the Sorheh complex may provide a wealth of information on late Pleistocene climate changes.
Due to the techno-typological similarities of Sorheh lithics to the sites in the Central Iranian Plateau (Vahdati Nasab et al. 2013, Heydari-Guran et al., 2015), we hypothesize the cultural exchange between late Pleistocene hunter-gatherers of Alborz and the interior parts of the Central Plateau during climatic deterioration periods.
The discovery of this complex with a particular geographical location in a valley with difficult access and, most importantly, the rich Palaeolithic depositions is an essential step towards answering questions related to the human dispersal at the edge of the Iranian Plateau during Marine Isotope Stages of 5 to 3 stages.
Systematic excavation and acquisition of more data in Sorheh will allow more accurate and detailed comparisons to other Middle Palaeolithic sites of the Iranian Plateau.
Most of our knowledge on the Palaeolithic of the Iranian Plateau derives from a scientific focus on the area of the Zagros Mountains. In recent years, several Palaeolithic research projects have been conducted in different parts of Iran, including southern piedmonts of the Alborz Mountains and the Iranian Central Plateau. The present paper is an introduction to the archaeological pieces of evidence of a Palaeolithic occupation on the southern slopes of the Alborz Mountains. Sorheh Rockshelter is the first site among a cluster of 8 caves and rock shelters located around 80 km northwest of Tehran. The Palaeolithic artifacts have been recovered from at least three looters’ pits at the center of the rock shelter. Sorheh is significant at least for two aspects: firstly, since the southern slopes of the Alborz Mountains have not yet been identified for the Palaeolithic, the site provides unique data on the Iranian Plateau. Secondly, the site’s location and the physiogeographic and lithic analyses of Sorheh are invaluable for the reconstruction of hominin behavior and settlement patterns in this under-researched area.
Keywords: Central Iranian Plateau, Alborz Mountains, West-Central Zagros, Middle Palaeolithic, Levallois.
Introduction
Compared to the wealth of Palaeolithic data from the Zagros region, the piedmonts of the Alborz Mountains have received little scientific attention. The focus has been on the northern slopes, although the intermountain valleys of the southern Alborz Mountains could have been biogeographically suitable for hunter-gatherers. Since the first systematic efforts of the Palaeolithic research in the Alborz Mountains by Carlton Coon in 1949 (1951, 1957), a few Palaeolithic sites have been discovered in the northern and southern slopes of the Alborz Mountains. Moving from the southern slopes of the Alborz Mountains towards the center of the Iranian Plateau, the number of Palaeolithic sites increases. Especially in recent years, many critical Palaeolithic localities have been identified on the interior plains of the Central Iranian Plateau (Biglari 2003, Masoumi et al. 2010, Eskandari et al. 2010, Vahdati Nasab and Feyz 2014, Vahdati Nasab et al. 2009, 2013, 2014, 2016, Heydari-Guran and Ghasidian 2011, Heydari-Guran et al. 2015, Kaboli 1999).
From the physio-geographical point of view, it seems that the sites located on the southern slopes of Alborz Mountain are related to the inner parts of the Central Iranian Plateau (Heydari-Guran et al., 2015). However, it has always been questioned whether the southern slopes of Alborz, like the northern slopes, were an area of human presence during the Palaeolithic. If so, was there a connection between the inhabitants of the southern and northern Alborz slopes? What about the connections to the inhabitants of the interior plains of the Iranian Plateau? Such questions led the authors to study the valleys located in the Southern Alborz Mountain foothills around 80 km crow flies to Tehran’s northwest. The survey in this region has led to the discovery of a complex of caves and rock shelters. The lithic artifacts from one site, Sorheh Rockshelter, presents new insights into the study of human settlement and behavior during the Late Pleistocene in the Iranian Plateau.
Sorheh in the Palaeolithic Context of the Iranian Plateau
The Sorheh complex consists of 6 caves, and rock shelters were firstly identified in 2018 by one of the authors (H.H.). The complex is formed in a deep drainage system within tuff, shale, and sandstone lithology along the Senj River. It is located around 19 km north of the modern city of Karaj, at a longitude of 50,957,183 and latitude of 35,992,211, and approximately 1900 m above sea level. The first site of this complex on the west side of the valley, Sorheh Rockshelter, revealed rich Palaeolithic depositions. Preliminary examining the exposed strata and accumulated soil confirmed that the site is rich in archaeological remains.
Five other shelters of the Sorheh complex are located between 20 and 70 m east of Sorheh Rockshelter. They mostly consist of a rocky surface with poor deposition; some were destroyed by the looters’ pits. The bedrock dip in two rock-shelters is towards the front slope caused no preservation of archaeological deposits. The last shelter of this complex is attached to the Senj River and is endangered by periodically river flooding, thus empty of archaeological deposits. The newly-constructed road between the villages of Baraghan at the west to Vamkouh at the east destroyed partly two rock shelters; however, it provided easier access to Sorheh Rockshelter.
In general, the lithic techno-typological characteristics of Sorheh presents significant Middle Palaeolithic elements. These lithic artifacts bear little resemblance to their counterparts from Zagros, such as Warwasi, Bisetun, and Kunji (Dibble and Holdaway 1993, Dibble 1984, Baumler and Speth, 1993). However, a comparison with Zagros sites is not plausible because of the considerable distance between these sites and the Alborz. The sites located in the interior regions of the Iranian Plateau, perhaps, provide more relevant information. Most of the Central Plateau open-air sites, including Chah-e Jam, Mirak, Zaviyeh, and Holabad, are flake-oriented, and Levallois technology has widely been used (Heydari-Guran and Ghasidian 2011, Heydari-Guran et al. 2015, Vahdati Nasab et al. 2013, Vahdati Nasab and Hashemi 2016). Levallois technology was observed abundantly among Sorheh collection, though heavily retouched tools, reminiscent of the Zagros Mousterian, are nearly absent.
Sorheh’s collection reveals more similarities to two open-air sites of Moghanak and Otchounak. The lithic artifacts from these sites are mostly based on the production of blades and elongated flakes (Berillon et al. 2007). The Levallois technology was broadly practiced in Moghanak and Otchounak. The points from Moghanak are plain and unretouched, reminiscent of the Sorheh points. Due to the lack of characteristic retouched tools in Moghanak and Otchounak, no typological comparisons were possible.
Conclusion
The evidence from Sorheh, Zagros Mountains, and the Iranian Central Plateau indicate various subsistence strategies in different geographical regions. This issue put forward the idea of cultural variability among the Middle Palaeolithic populations (Heydari-Guran et al., 2015) in contrast to the notion of cultural homogeneity (Mousterian) throughout the Iranian Plateau (Rosenberg 1988, Biglari et al. 2009, Piperno 1972).
Considering the high elevation of 1900 m asl., Sorheh Rockshelter, after Ghaleh Kurd with 2100 m asl., is one of the highest-elevated Palaeolithic sites on the Iranian Plateau. Ghaleh Kurd has revealed Middle Palaeolithic artifacts assigned to the Mousterian techno-complex (Soleimani and Alibeigi 2012). The study of the deposits from Sorheh will provide valuable information on the climatic changes during MIS 5 to 3 up to Holocene. It seems that the area, despite high altitude, periodically provided ideal settlement conditions. Climatic amelioration intervals made the region suitable for settlement. Therefore, the detailed physiogeographic study of the Sorheh complex may provide a wealth of information on late Pleistocene climate changes.
Due to the techno-typological similarities of Sorheh lithics to the sites in the Central Iranian Plateau (Vahdati Nasab et al. 2013, Heydari-Guran et al., 2015), we hypothesize the cultural exchange between late Pleistocene hunter-gatherers of Alborz and the interior parts of the Central Plateau during climatic deterioration periods.
The discovery of this complex with a particular geographical location in a valley with difficult access and, most importantly, the rich Palaeolithic depositions is an essential step towards answering questions related to the human dispersal at the edge of the Iranian Plateau during Marine Isotope Stages of 5 to 3 stages.
Systematic excavation and acquisition of more data in Sorheh will allow more accurate and detailed comparisons to other Middle Palaeolithic sites of the Iranian Plateau.
Yassin Sedghi, Iraj Beheshti, Mansour Seyed Sajadi,
year 6, Issue 20 (9-2022)
year 6, Issue 20 (9-2022)
Abstract
Abstract
One of the most critical found objects from the site of Shahr-i Sokhta are lapis lazuli stones and beads, which were used as stone jewelry and ornaments. One of the site’s most significant archaeological and archaeometry topics is the way of manufacturing and types of stone structures into these objects. The Shahr-i Sokhta’s lapis lazuli beads manufactured with flint borers are in the forms of lens, lozenge, circle, etc., and were used as jewelry and ornaments such as bracelets, anklets, necklaces, etc. The main discussion in this research is recognizing the structure and studying the mineralogy of lapis lazuli beads discovered from Shahr-i Sokhta. Hence, by using laboratory-device methods such as petrography of thin sections, X-ray energy diffraction microanalysis, Raman Spectroscopy analysis, and gemology methods, this research studies the structures of three samples of lapis lazuli beads and stones of Shahr-i Sokhta. The results of laboratory studies show that Shahr-i Sokhta’s structure of lapis lazuli stone consists of lazurite minerals with a high percentage of calcite mineral impurities, which causes a reduction of transparency and purity of the lapis lazuli stones; also, elemental studies represent the presence of lazurite minerals. Raman structural and gemological studies show the structure, the amount of absorption coefficient, and its specific weight in the main structure of lapis lazuli stone. Chemical and structural studies indicate that the stones are similar in terms of composition.
Keywords: Stone Jewelries, Lapis Lazuli, Archeaometry, Shahr-i Sokhta in Sistan, South-east of the Iranian Plateau.
Introduction
Shahr-i Sokhta is one of the most important and key sites among Bronz-age sites in southeast Iran’s archaeology (Biscione et al., 1974; Tosi, 1968, 1969, 1973; 1976; Tosi and Piperno, 1975; Savatori & Vidale, 1997; Piperno & Salvatori, 2007). Through excavations during different years up to now, a vast majority of semiprecious Stones and jewelry have been discovered; some of them are healthy beads in the form of necklaces, bracelets, and anklets, while others are half-worked beads as well as raw stone and blocks (Foglini, 1998). The jewelry is lapis lazuli, agate, chlorite, turquoise, limestone, flint, jasper, marble (calcite and aragonite), quartz, green tuff, and chert; that one of the most significant of them is lapis lazuli which was brought to Shahr-i Sokhta as a result of the trade from other regions. lapis lazuli stone in various forms and shapes is the most discovered abundant cultural material in Shahr-i Sokhta (Sajjadi, 2005, 2007). The discovered lapis lazuli are healthy and semi-worked, as well as raw and discarded material. The archaeological studies have demonstrated that the raw lapis lazuli blocks were imported into Shahr-i Sokhta, and then they were changed into various artifacts by artisans (Farzin et al., 2019). Hence, recognizing the structure and method of manufacturing the discovered lapis lazuli beads from Shahr-i Sokhta could be one of the most important topics for archaeologists. The archaeo-gemological study is a field of archaeometry that investigates and recognizes the structure and method of manufacturing and polishing these semiprecious Stone ornaments and jewelry. Archaeo-gemological studies examine minerals, gem materials, and jewelry, which were used as ornaments, decorative objects, jewelry materials, etc., in particular eras and places of the ancient world (Hatipoglu & Guney, 2013; Rapp, 2009; Dominguez-Bella, 2012). Therefore, this research based on Archaeo-gemological studies investigates the preliminary lapis lazuli stone jewelry produced in Shahr-i Sokhta.
Material and Methods (Samples)
The selected samples in this research include three pieces of lapis lazuli discovered from the archaeological survey of Shahr-i Sokhta. One of the samples is a raw material with a small incision that had been discarded as waste (SH-L1). The other one is a rectangular object with grooves in its width, which was broken during use (SH-L2), and the last one is a tiny bead; all three are studied in this research (SH-L3).
Methods
Microscopic thin section petrography (OPM) is administered to examine the samples under a polarizing microscope. The device model used in this research is James Swift, made in England.
The elemental Micro-analysis EDX method is applied to recognize samples chemical combinations. This examination is conducted through EDX devise coupled with a field emission electron microscope (FESEM) manufactured by Tasken company, model MIRA3TESCAN-XMU.
For structural investigation of the samples, this research uses Raman spectroscopy examination through (Takram) P50C0R10 model device, Taskan company in Raman laboratory. This device has a laser wavelength of 532nm (Nd: YAG Laser), and the range of Raman shift RS is 100-4600.
Moreover, this study uses gemological methods such as specific weight and refractive index to identify the samples.
Results
Petrography
According to the petrographic studies of the lapis lazuli samples under a polarizing microscope, blue lazurite minerals are seen with white calcite.
Raman Spectroscopy
The obtained spectra from this chart are compared with the reference spectrum at http://www.rruff.info This comparison indicates the existing lazurite in the stone structure of Na3Ca(Si3Al3)O12S. There is a Raman spectrum in the range of 546 cm-1, 1092 cm-1, and 254 cm-1, and the intensified spectrum is high in the range of 546 cm-1, considered the main spectrum.
EDX
Micro-analysis (EDX) Obtained spectra in the formula of these stones represent the amount of silicon (19/61 and 19/11), aluminum (7/14 and 7/21), magnesium (7/98 and 6/73), calcium (4/98 and 4/94), and sodium (3/46 and 3/13) elements with the highest abundance.
Gemological Analysis
This part investigates these lapis lazuli’s mineralogical features through two refractometer methods and the determination of specific weight.
Refractometer
Among Shahr-i Sokhta’s studied samples, this research has selected three lapis lazuli samples to study. For investigating, first, one drop of special liquid (REFRACTOMETER LIQUID-Nd 1.81) is poured into the location of the samples; second, the flat sides of the gems locates on the oil. Then, by turning on the device lamp and closing the deflectometer cap, one could obtain each sample’s refractive coefficient measure by reading the refractive coefficient. The type of the studied sample has been identified by measuring the refractive coefficient of the samples and comparing obtained numbers with the standard table of gems (GIA- GEM PROPERTY CHART). The refractive coefficient of 1.50 is related to lapis lazuli stone.
Determination of Specific Weight
One of the quick identifying ways of the gems is the determination of their specific weight, which causes no damage to the gems. To obtain the particular weight of each mineral or gem, first, they are weighted in the air and then in the water. Next, by using a formula, the amount of specific weight is calculated. The particular weight of the discovered lapis lazuli samples of Shahr-i Sokhta is 2.1-3.3.
Conclusion
Microscopic investigations based on the thin section petrography show that the structure of studied lapis lazuli is lazurite mineral type with calcite minerals. In microscopic images, Lazurite minerals clearly are blue, calcite minerals in the stone texture are white, and pyrite minerals rarely can be seen in the studied stone texture. Identifying the existence of a significant amount of calcite and a poor amount of pyrite in the lapis lazuli structure represents the amount of impurities in these stones. Furthermore, elemental analysis of the three lapis lazuli indicates that there are other elements with the highest frequency; these elements are silicon (20/95 and 20/67), aluminum (7/80 and 7/63), magnesium (7/28 and 8/52), calcium (4/94 and 5/33), sodium (3/34 and 3/74) and sulfur (0/66 and 1/09). In fact, lapis lazurite is a blue stone whose chemical composition is variable, and its basic composition is mineral lazurite consisting of aluminum, calcium, and sodium silicates. Lapis lazuli consists of several different minerals, such as sodalite, hauynolith, calcite, pyrite, and lazurite, which are lapis lazuli’s main components. Fewer white calcite spots and more yellow pyrite in the lapis lazuli indicate the best quality of the lapis lazuli. In table 3, silicon element (29.87%) and calcium element (12.26%) are the most amounts of compounds in the Shahr-i Sokhta lapis lazuli structures. The identified chemical compositions of the lapis lazuli in Shahr-i Sokhta are a high amount of calcium and a low amount of iron, which indicates the lapis lazuli structure of this site has a high calcium impurity and low pyrite impurity; this issue could be confirmed through petrography studies. Finally, this analysis represents the correct recognition of the composition and type of used stones in manufacturing ornament objects of Shahr-i Sokhta.
The element percentage of obtained spectra is clearly determined, indicating the main composition of lapis lazuli. The elements represent the chemical structure of a lapis lazuli, a lazulite mineral type with a high calcite impurity percentage. In addition, this study examines the three pieces of lapis lazuli samples through Raman spectroscopy; two samples represent almost similar peaks in the range of 546 cm-1 and 1092 cm-1, and only one sample shows a peak in the range of 546 cm-1. The investigations represent that based on the lapis lazuli studies using the Raman, the lapis lazuli in the mentioned ranges shows an almost significant peak. The number of elements and obtained spectra in these two spectra are almost similar.
Acknowledgments
This work has been supported by the “Investigation and study of Shahr-i Sokhta semi-precious stones” project funded by the Research Center for Conservation of Cultural Relics (RCCCR). The authors are thankful to Center for Conservation of Cultural Relics. The authors want to National Museum of Iran, Southeast Regional Museum of Zahedan, and Shahr-i Sokhta World Heritage Site for their supporting.
One of the most critical found objects from the site of Shahr-i Sokhta are lapis lazuli stones and beads, which were used as stone jewelry and ornaments. One of the site’s most significant archaeological and archaeometry topics is the way of manufacturing and types of stone structures into these objects. The Shahr-i Sokhta’s lapis lazuli beads manufactured with flint borers are in the forms of lens, lozenge, circle, etc., and were used as jewelry and ornaments such as bracelets, anklets, necklaces, etc. The main discussion in this research is recognizing the structure and studying the mineralogy of lapis lazuli beads discovered from Shahr-i Sokhta. Hence, by using laboratory-device methods such as petrography of thin sections, X-ray energy diffraction microanalysis, Raman Spectroscopy analysis, and gemology methods, this research studies the structures of three samples of lapis lazuli beads and stones of Shahr-i Sokhta. The results of laboratory studies show that Shahr-i Sokhta’s structure of lapis lazuli stone consists of lazurite minerals with a high percentage of calcite mineral impurities, which causes a reduction of transparency and purity of the lapis lazuli stones; also, elemental studies represent the presence of lazurite minerals. Raman structural and gemological studies show the structure, the amount of absorption coefficient, and its specific weight in the main structure of lapis lazuli stone. Chemical and structural studies indicate that the stones are similar in terms of composition.
Keywords: Stone Jewelries, Lapis Lazuli, Archeaometry, Shahr-i Sokhta in Sistan, South-east of the Iranian Plateau.
Introduction
Shahr-i Sokhta is one of the most important and key sites among Bronz-age sites in southeast Iran’s archaeology (Biscione et al., 1974; Tosi, 1968, 1969, 1973; 1976; Tosi and Piperno, 1975; Savatori & Vidale, 1997; Piperno & Salvatori, 2007). Through excavations during different years up to now, a vast majority of semiprecious Stones and jewelry have been discovered; some of them are healthy beads in the form of necklaces, bracelets, and anklets, while others are half-worked beads as well as raw stone and blocks (Foglini, 1998). The jewelry is lapis lazuli, agate, chlorite, turquoise, limestone, flint, jasper, marble (calcite and aragonite), quartz, green tuff, and chert; that one of the most significant of them is lapis lazuli which was brought to Shahr-i Sokhta as a result of the trade from other regions. lapis lazuli stone in various forms and shapes is the most discovered abundant cultural material in Shahr-i Sokhta (Sajjadi, 2005, 2007). The discovered lapis lazuli are healthy and semi-worked, as well as raw and discarded material. The archaeological studies have demonstrated that the raw lapis lazuli blocks were imported into Shahr-i Sokhta, and then they were changed into various artifacts by artisans (Farzin et al., 2019). Hence, recognizing the structure and method of manufacturing the discovered lapis lazuli beads from Shahr-i Sokhta could be one of the most important topics for archaeologists. The archaeo-gemological study is a field of archaeometry that investigates and recognizes the structure and method of manufacturing and polishing these semiprecious Stone ornaments and jewelry. Archaeo-gemological studies examine minerals, gem materials, and jewelry, which were used as ornaments, decorative objects, jewelry materials, etc., in particular eras and places of the ancient world (Hatipoglu & Guney, 2013; Rapp, 2009; Dominguez-Bella, 2012). Therefore, this research based on Archaeo-gemological studies investigates the preliminary lapis lazuli stone jewelry produced in Shahr-i Sokhta.
Material and Methods (Samples)
The selected samples in this research include three pieces of lapis lazuli discovered from the archaeological survey of Shahr-i Sokhta. One of the samples is a raw material with a small incision that had been discarded as waste (SH-L1). The other one is a rectangular object with grooves in its width, which was broken during use (SH-L2), and the last one is a tiny bead; all three are studied in this research (SH-L3).
Methods
Microscopic thin section petrography (OPM) is administered to examine the samples under a polarizing microscope. The device model used in this research is James Swift, made in England.
The elemental Micro-analysis EDX method is applied to recognize samples chemical combinations. This examination is conducted through EDX devise coupled with a field emission electron microscope (FESEM) manufactured by Tasken company, model MIRA3TESCAN-XMU.
For structural investigation of the samples, this research uses Raman spectroscopy examination through (Takram) P50C0R10 model device, Taskan company in Raman laboratory. This device has a laser wavelength of 532nm (Nd: YAG Laser), and the range of Raman shift RS is 100-4600.
Moreover, this study uses gemological methods such as specific weight and refractive index to identify the samples.
Results
Petrography
According to the petrographic studies of the lapis lazuli samples under a polarizing microscope, blue lazurite minerals are seen with white calcite.
Raman Spectroscopy
The obtained spectra from this chart are compared with the reference spectrum at http://www.rruff.info This comparison indicates the existing lazurite in the stone structure of Na3Ca(Si3Al3)O12S. There is a Raman spectrum in the range of 546 cm-1, 1092 cm-1, and 254 cm-1, and the intensified spectrum is high in the range of 546 cm-1, considered the main spectrum.
EDX
Micro-analysis (EDX) Obtained spectra in the formula of these stones represent the amount of silicon (19/61 and 19/11), aluminum (7/14 and 7/21), magnesium (7/98 and 6/73), calcium (4/98 and 4/94), and sodium (3/46 and 3/13) elements with the highest abundance.
Gemological Analysis
This part investigates these lapis lazuli’s mineralogical features through two refractometer methods and the determination of specific weight.
Refractometer
Among Shahr-i Sokhta’s studied samples, this research has selected three lapis lazuli samples to study. For investigating, first, one drop of special liquid (REFRACTOMETER LIQUID-Nd 1.81) is poured into the location of the samples; second, the flat sides of the gems locates on the oil. Then, by turning on the device lamp and closing the deflectometer cap, one could obtain each sample’s refractive coefficient measure by reading the refractive coefficient. The type of the studied sample has been identified by measuring the refractive coefficient of the samples and comparing obtained numbers with the standard table of gems (GIA- GEM PROPERTY CHART). The refractive coefficient of 1.50 is related to lapis lazuli stone.
Determination of Specific Weight
One of the quick identifying ways of the gems is the determination of their specific weight, which causes no damage to the gems. To obtain the particular weight of each mineral or gem, first, they are weighted in the air and then in the water. Next, by using a formula, the amount of specific weight is calculated. The particular weight of the discovered lapis lazuli samples of Shahr-i Sokhta is 2.1-3.3.
Conclusion
Microscopic investigations based on the thin section petrography show that the structure of studied lapis lazuli is lazurite mineral type with calcite minerals. In microscopic images, Lazurite minerals clearly are blue, calcite minerals in the stone texture are white, and pyrite minerals rarely can be seen in the studied stone texture. Identifying the existence of a significant amount of calcite and a poor amount of pyrite in the lapis lazuli structure represents the amount of impurities in these stones. Furthermore, elemental analysis of the three lapis lazuli indicates that there are other elements with the highest frequency; these elements are silicon (20/95 and 20/67), aluminum (7/80 and 7/63), magnesium (7/28 and 8/52), calcium (4/94 and 5/33), sodium (3/34 and 3/74) and sulfur (0/66 and 1/09). In fact, lapis lazurite is a blue stone whose chemical composition is variable, and its basic composition is mineral lazurite consisting of aluminum, calcium, and sodium silicates. Lapis lazuli consists of several different minerals, such as sodalite, hauynolith, calcite, pyrite, and lazurite, which are lapis lazuli’s main components. Fewer white calcite spots and more yellow pyrite in the lapis lazuli indicate the best quality of the lapis lazuli. In table 3, silicon element (29.87%) and calcium element (12.26%) are the most amounts of compounds in the Shahr-i Sokhta lapis lazuli structures. The identified chemical compositions of the lapis lazuli in Shahr-i Sokhta are a high amount of calcium and a low amount of iron, which indicates the lapis lazuli structure of this site has a high calcium impurity and low pyrite impurity; this issue could be confirmed through petrography studies. Finally, this analysis represents the correct recognition of the composition and type of used stones in manufacturing ornament objects of Shahr-i Sokhta.
The element percentage of obtained spectra is clearly determined, indicating the main composition of lapis lazuli. The elements represent the chemical structure of a lapis lazuli, a lazulite mineral type with a high calcite impurity percentage. In addition, this study examines the three pieces of lapis lazuli samples through Raman spectroscopy; two samples represent almost similar peaks in the range of 546 cm-1 and 1092 cm-1, and only one sample shows a peak in the range of 546 cm-1. The investigations represent that based on the lapis lazuli studies using the Raman, the lapis lazuli in the mentioned ranges shows an almost significant peak. The number of elements and obtained spectra in these two spectra are almost similar.
Acknowledgments
This work has been supported by the “Investigation and study of Shahr-i Sokhta semi-precious stones” project funded by the Research Center for Conservation of Cultural Relics (RCCCR). The authors are thankful to Center for Conservation of Cultural Relics. The authors want to National Museum of Iran, Southeast Regional Museum of Zahedan, and Shahr-i Sokhta World Heritage Site for their supporting.
Hamed Molaei Kordshouli, Hamid Tabatabaee,
year 7, Issue 26 (2-2024)
year 7, Issue 26 (2-2024)
Abstract
Abstract
the beaches and hinterland of the Persian Gulf are a large part of southern Iran, which has been of interest throughout history, and many settlements have been formed in thispart of iran. This semi-closed sea has a great value in terms of natural and economic situation and military and political situation Just as the economic and social life of Mesopotamia depends on its two waterways, the Tigris and the Euphrates, and just as the Nile River plays the main and key role in the history of Egypt, in the same way the Persian Sea can be considered an important and vital bottleneck of history and civilization and Iran’s economy. Over thousands of years, this azure and fertile sea has opened its arms to Iranians and other neighboring nations like a table full of blessings, so that the residents of its shores can benefit from its diverse reserves. The present research has focused on the introduction of pottery objects known as Gopal, which are found in abundance in the southern part of Iran, especially in the beaches and hinterland of the Persian Gulf. In this research, two library methods and field visits to some areas of the studied area have been used to collect information. The main questions of the present research are: To what period of time can the Gopals be dated? What is the use of Gopal? In what areas are the Gopals distributed? In addition to introducing Gopals and examining their technical features, the use and relative dating of these objects are discussed and the distribution map of these objects in the plateau of Iran is presented.
Keywords: Gopal, Persian Gulf, Iranian Plateau, Khuzestan, Bushehr, Hormozgan.
Introduction
As a historical and strategic waterway, the Persian Gulf has always been the focus of rulers and throughout history, it has been the place of passage for the ships of Eastern and Western civilizations. The coast of the Pars Gulf is a suitable habitat for the settlement and establishment of human societies. In recent years, as a result of the archaeological surveys of the beaches and hinterland of the Pars Gulf, many prehistoric, historical and Islamic sites and hills have been identified. Among these, a number of ancient sites and mounds of clay objects have been found, which are called Gopal. The present research has studied these objects that are scattered on the banks and back banks of Pars Gulf.
Research questions: In this research, the most important questions include: 1- In what regions is the range of distribution of clay objects known as Gopal? 2- Are Gopals produced in the northern part of the Persian Sea? 3- Do these objects have different types in terms of appearance? 4- Gopals belong to what period of time? 5- What is the use of Gopal?
Gopal classification
Clay objects known as Gopal are clay cylinders whose height varies between 15 and 30 cm and their weight varies between 1 and 4 kg. The upper part of the Gopals is round with a diameter of 10 to 17 cm and the lower part is saucer-shaped with a diameter of 6 to 12 cm. Their floor is rough and uneven, but they are stable to be on the ground. Williamson has introduced the Gopals with the title of base and divided them into four categories, Gavbandi type, Bushehr type, Ganaveh type and Tepe Yahya type (Williamson 1972: 100). According to technical specifications and appearance, Gopals were classified into 9 types. But since this study is mostly in the form of a library and the distribution area of Gopals has not been fully investigated in the field, it is possible that there are more and different species that are hidden from the authors of this study.
Distribution of Gopal in the Persian Gulf
The basis of the study of the distribution of Gopals is the study of survey reports, records and field studies (Table 1) that have been published and published so far, as well as the authors’ visits to a number of sites on the beaches and hinterland of the Pars Sea. The distribution map presented in this research is the beginning of a way to carry out additional studies in the field of these clay objects in the future and undoubtedly has some shortcomings (map 1). The distribution of this pottery was in the beaches and hinterland of the Persian Gulf as Louis Pelly says: they are found along the coast (Pelly 1863-1864: 44). Hertzfeld He writes: “Along the shore, under the ruins of early Islamic houses, large quantities of clay handles are found, which are called Gopals, and are introduced as flakhen, (Herzfeld 1926: 260).
The most distribution of Gopal in Behbahan city is in Zidon section. The Gopal area in the south of Omidieh belongs to the middle Islamic centuries, of this Gopal as “Clay base” (Sadeghi Rad 2018).
In Bushehr province, the distribution of these pottery objects increases significantly and they are found in abundance in almost all of the province. Gopals of different types have been reported from the grounds of Sarkho Castle, Shahzadeh Mohammad Darvishi in Shanbeh and Tasuj sections of Dashti city (Zarei 2018: 143).
In the north-west of Fars province, two samples were introduced from Tell Ahangaran and Tell Khazaneh in Noorabad Mamsani in the study of Askari Chavardi, the first sample is Gopal made of stone. In the west of Fars, in the area of Fathabad in Sarmashed of Kazeroon city, in the research of Parsa Ghasemi, broken samples of Gopal clay were reported, which are “scattered in the plowed lands” (Ghasemi 2010: 327-327). In the southern part of Fars province, the distribution of Gopals is more and these objects have been reported from six sites. Golrokh hill is located in Chahorz district, Lamard city, (Askari Chavardi, Amiri: 2002) A small round base was found on the surface of Tape Yahya, probably from the second period (Achaemenid period). This type, which is scattered throughout the Jiroft region, can be easily distinguished from the 3D type, and it may be considered the background of the Sassanid foundations.” (Williamson 1972: 100) and in the southern part of the Persian Sea, he refers to Al-Ain in Abu Dhabi, where Bushehr-type clay foundations are scattered there (ibid.).
Examples similar to Gopal
In terms of the overall shape and appearance of the Gopals, there are similarities with objects such as decorative studs obtained from Chaghazanbil, and probably those who consider these objects to be architectural decorations because of the similarity between There were Gopals and studs (Figure 13).
The example of a fire pit (Figure 14) which Mustafavi believes is related to the Seleucid period (Mustafavi 1968: 71) or the base of fire pits made of stone or plaster from Weigal (Javari and Bagh-Sheikhi 2019), Plang-Gard (Alibeigi 2012: 201), Shian (Moradi 2009), Bandian Derghez (Rahbar: 2008), Imamzadeh Mohammad (Askari Chavardi 2010), Tell Shahid, Keshto village and Brazjan (Tawfiqian 2017) and the images of firetemple on the coins of Sasanian kings. , have general similarities with Gopal (Figure 14).
Williamson introduces a type of wooden bases that are painted and were used for Bushheri or Kuwaiti boxes, and these clay bases are the background of wooden bases (Williamson 1972).
A type of tallow burners that became very popular in the Islamic period (Wilkinson 1973) are examples similar to Gopal. Two stone objects have been found from Imamzade Abdullah in Shushtar, which Ahmad Eghtari refers to as fire pits or the base of fire pits belonging to the Parthian period. He classified them except Gopal (Eghtari 1996: 703-702). (Figure 15). Unglazed candlesticks with a similar design have also been found in Merv (Wilkinson 1973: 314) (Figure 15). In Hormozgan province, there is a type of embroidery called Shakbafi, for its weaving and production, they use a tool similar to gopal, called Choghn. A cloth is placed on it (Figure 16). The material of this mortar is sometimes wood and sometimes clay or plastic, which is actually considered a support for a pillow and a base for weaving a tape” (Mokhtari-Dehkordi, Asadi Farsani 2013: 39).
Dating and use of Gopal
Without conducting detailed experiments and extensive and methodical studies, the dating of Gopals will be relative, it is also necessary to know the use of these clay objects in the hills and areas where they are widely produced and used. Methodical archaeological excavations should be carried out. There are many theories and assumptions about the use of Gopals. Lt. Col. Lewis Pelley, says about the Gopals: “I picked up some spirally grooved cylinders of baked clay. Traditions say that these cylinders were the ones that the infidels used to use a leather strap to attack. They threw targets” (Pelly 1863-1864: 44). After pointing out Poly’s opinion and its illogicality, Haynes Gaube mentions these objects as architectural decorations and the limitations of this assumption are listed, including why they are found in Siraf but not in Khuzestan? (Gaube 1980: 384). Herzfeld believes that the use of Gopals is similar to the Assyrian clay studs, whose ends were placed in Diora (Herzfeld 1926: 260). Williamson believes that the Gopals were used as bases for holding wooden chests known as Bushheri or Kuwaiti chests, and later they were replaced by painted wooden bases (Williamson 1972: 101).
Parsa Ghasemi believes that these terracotta objects had an architectural use, similar to the columns used in the Achaemenid building of Dahane Gholaman (Ghasemi 2009: 86). Askari Chavardi mentions clay Gopals as the base of Sasanian vessels (Askari Chavardi 2012, Askari Chavardi 2018) and the type of stone that he considers as the base of the hearth (Askari Chavardi, Pots, Pitri 2013: 149-148).
During a conversation with the residents of Shahr-e Viran in Dilam city, they stated that the nomads use these pieces of clay for weaving ni-chit (Chiq or Chikh) (Figure 17), and it was believed that these tools are used for production Nothing has been used. Kamiyar Abdi believes that these clay objects have industrial use (Abdi 2007).
Conclusion
During this research, the existing Gopals were classified into 9 categories according to their appearance and technical characteristics, their exact typology requires a systematic archaeological investigation in the distribution area of Gopals in the banks. And then the beaches of the Persian Glf. The present studies showed that Gopals are mostly found in the sites related to the Sassanid and Islamic periods.
According to the terminology of Gopal or Gopal, it is not true that this pottery object has a war function, and probably only according to its appearance, they put the name of Gopal or Gopal on it. According to examples similar to Gopal used in the art of embroidery, the assumption that Gopal was probably used as a tool used in sewing or weaving industries. According to the classification done, Gopals probably had various uses. As long as the Gopals are not recovered from their context, determining any use for this clay object will be more of a hypothesis.
the beaches and hinterland of the Persian Gulf are a large part of southern Iran, which has been of interest throughout history, and many settlements have been formed in thispart of iran. This semi-closed sea has a great value in terms of natural and economic situation and military and political situation Just as the economic and social life of Mesopotamia depends on its two waterways, the Tigris and the Euphrates, and just as the Nile River plays the main and key role in the history of Egypt, in the same way the Persian Sea can be considered an important and vital bottleneck of history and civilization and Iran’s economy. Over thousands of years, this azure and fertile sea has opened its arms to Iranians and other neighboring nations like a table full of blessings, so that the residents of its shores can benefit from its diverse reserves. The present research has focused on the introduction of pottery objects known as Gopal, which are found in abundance in the southern part of Iran, especially in the beaches and hinterland of the Persian Gulf. In this research, two library methods and field visits to some areas of the studied area have been used to collect information. The main questions of the present research are: To what period of time can the Gopals be dated? What is the use of Gopal? In what areas are the Gopals distributed? In addition to introducing Gopals and examining their technical features, the use and relative dating of these objects are discussed and the distribution map of these objects in the plateau of Iran is presented.
Keywords: Gopal, Persian Gulf, Iranian Plateau, Khuzestan, Bushehr, Hormozgan.
Introduction
As a historical and strategic waterway, the Persian Gulf has always been the focus of rulers and throughout history, it has been the place of passage for the ships of Eastern and Western civilizations. The coast of the Pars Gulf is a suitable habitat for the settlement and establishment of human societies. In recent years, as a result of the archaeological surveys of the beaches and hinterland of the Pars Gulf, many prehistoric, historical and Islamic sites and hills have been identified. Among these, a number of ancient sites and mounds of clay objects have been found, which are called Gopal. The present research has studied these objects that are scattered on the banks and back banks of Pars Gulf.
Research questions: In this research, the most important questions include: 1- In what regions is the range of distribution of clay objects known as Gopal? 2- Are Gopals produced in the northern part of the Persian Sea? 3- Do these objects have different types in terms of appearance? 4- Gopals belong to what period of time? 5- What is the use of Gopal?
Gopal classification
Clay objects known as Gopal are clay cylinders whose height varies between 15 and 30 cm and their weight varies between 1 and 4 kg. The upper part of the Gopals is round with a diameter of 10 to 17 cm and the lower part is saucer-shaped with a diameter of 6 to 12 cm. Their floor is rough and uneven, but they are stable to be on the ground. Williamson has introduced the Gopals with the title of base and divided them into four categories, Gavbandi type, Bushehr type, Ganaveh type and Tepe Yahya type (Williamson 1972: 100). According to technical specifications and appearance, Gopals were classified into 9 types. But since this study is mostly in the form of a library and the distribution area of Gopals has not been fully investigated in the field, it is possible that there are more and different species that are hidden from the authors of this study.
Distribution of Gopal in the Persian Gulf
The basis of the study of the distribution of Gopals is the study of survey reports, records and field studies (Table 1) that have been published and published so far, as well as the authors’ visits to a number of sites on the beaches and hinterland of the Pars Sea. The distribution map presented in this research is the beginning of a way to carry out additional studies in the field of these clay objects in the future and undoubtedly has some shortcomings (map 1). The distribution of this pottery was in the beaches and hinterland of the Persian Gulf as Louis Pelly says: they are found along the coast (Pelly 1863-1864: 44). Hertzfeld He writes: “Along the shore, under the ruins of early Islamic houses, large quantities of clay handles are found, which are called Gopals, and are introduced as flakhen, (Herzfeld 1926: 260).
The most distribution of Gopal in Behbahan city is in Zidon section. The Gopal area in the south of Omidieh belongs to the middle Islamic centuries, of this Gopal as “Clay base” (Sadeghi Rad 2018).
In Bushehr province, the distribution of these pottery objects increases significantly and they are found in abundance in almost all of the province. Gopals of different types have been reported from the grounds of Sarkho Castle, Shahzadeh Mohammad Darvishi in Shanbeh and Tasuj sections of Dashti city (Zarei 2018: 143).
In the north-west of Fars province, two samples were introduced from Tell Ahangaran and Tell Khazaneh in Noorabad Mamsani in the study of Askari Chavardi, the first sample is Gopal made of stone. In the west of Fars, in the area of Fathabad in Sarmashed of Kazeroon city, in the research of Parsa Ghasemi, broken samples of Gopal clay were reported, which are “scattered in the plowed lands” (Ghasemi 2010: 327-327). In the southern part of Fars province, the distribution of Gopals is more and these objects have been reported from six sites. Golrokh hill is located in Chahorz district, Lamard city, (Askari Chavardi, Amiri: 2002) A small round base was found on the surface of Tape Yahya, probably from the second period (Achaemenid period). This type, which is scattered throughout the Jiroft region, can be easily distinguished from the 3D type, and it may be considered the background of the Sassanid foundations.” (Williamson 1972: 100) and in the southern part of the Persian Sea, he refers to Al-Ain in Abu Dhabi, where Bushehr-type clay foundations are scattered there (ibid.).
Examples similar to Gopal
In terms of the overall shape and appearance of the Gopals, there are similarities with objects such as decorative studs obtained from Chaghazanbil, and probably those who consider these objects to be architectural decorations because of the similarity between There were Gopals and studs (Figure 13).
The example of a fire pit (Figure 14) which Mustafavi believes is related to the Seleucid period (Mustafavi 1968: 71) or the base of fire pits made of stone or plaster from Weigal (Javari and Bagh-Sheikhi 2019), Plang-Gard (Alibeigi 2012: 201), Shian (Moradi 2009), Bandian Derghez (Rahbar: 2008), Imamzadeh Mohammad (Askari Chavardi 2010), Tell Shahid, Keshto village and Brazjan (Tawfiqian 2017) and the images of firetemple on the coins of Sasanian kings. , have general similarities with Gopal (Figure 14).
Williamson introduces a type of wooden bases that are painted and were used for Bushheri or Kuwaiti boxes, and these clay bases are the background of wooden bases (Williamson 1972).
A type of tallow burners that became very popular in the Islamic period (Wilkinson 1973) are examples similar to Gopal. Two stone objects have been found from Imamzade Abdullah in Shushtar, which Ahmad Eghtari refers to as fire pits or the base of fire pits belonging to the Parthian period. He classified them except Gopal (Eghtari 1996: 703-702). (Figure 15). Unglazed candlesticks with a similar design have also been found in Merv (Wilkinson 1973: 314) (Figure 15). In Hormozgan province, there is a type of embroidery called Shakbafi, for its weaving and production, they use a tool similar to gopal, called Choghn. A cloth is placed on it (Figure 16). The material of this mortar is sometimes wood and sometimes clay or plastic, which is actually considered a support for a pillow and a base for weaving a tape” (Mokhtari-Dehkordi, Asadi Farsani 2013: 39).
Dating and use of Gopal
Without conducting detailed experiments and extensive and methodical studies, the dating of Gopals will be relative, it is also necessary to know the use of these clay objects in the hills and areas where they are widely produced and used. Methodical archaeological excavations should be carried out. There are many theories and assumptions about the use of Gopals. Lt. Col. Lewis Pelley, says about the Gopals: “I picked up some spirally grooved cylinders of baked clay. Traditions say that these cylinders were the ones that the infidels used to use a leather strap to attack. They threw targets” (Pelly 1863-1864: 44). After pointing out Poly’s opinion and its illogicality, Haynes Gaube mentions these objects as architectural decorations and the limitations of this assumption are listed, including why they are found in Siraf but not in Khuzestan? (Gaube 1980: 384). Herzfeld believes that the use of Gopals is similar to the Assyrian clay studs, whose ends were placed in Diora (Herzfeld 1926: 260). Williamson believes that the Gopals were used as bases for holding wooden chests known as Bushheri or Kuwaiti chests, and later they were replaced by painted wooden bases (Williamson 1972: 101).
Parsa Ghasemi believes that these terracotta objects had an architectural use, similar to the columns used in the Achaemenid building of Dahane Gholaman (Ghasemi 2009: 86). Askari Chavardi mentions clay Gopals as the base of Sasanian vessels (Askari Chavardi 2012, Askari Chavardi 2018) and the type of stone that he considers as the base of the hearth (Askari Chavardi, Pots, Pitri 2013: 149-148).
During a conversation with the residents of Shahr-e Viran in Dilam city, they stated that the nomads use these pieces of clay for weaving ni-chit (Chiq or Chikh) (Figure 17), and it was believed that these tools are used for production Nothing has been used. Kamiyar Abdi believes that these clay objects have industrial use (Abdi 2007).
Conclusion
During this research, the existing Gopals were classified into 9 categories according to their appearance and technical characteristics, their exact typology requires a systematic archaeological investigation in the distribution area of Gopals in the banks. And then the beaches of the Persian Glf. The present studies showed that Gopals are mostly found in the sites related to the Sassanid and Islamic periods.
According to the terminology of Gopal or Gopal, it is not true that this pottery object has a war function, and probably only according to its appearance, they put the name of Gopal or Gopal on it. According to examples similar to Gopal used in the art of embroidery, the assumption that Gopal was probably used as a tool used in sewing or weaving industries. According to the classification done, Gopals probably had various uses. As long as the Gopals are not recovered from their context, determining any use for this clay object will be more of a hypothesis.
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