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Showing 3 results for Luristan
Mohsen Zeynivand, Fereshteh Sharifi,
year 3, Issue 9 (12-2019)
year 3, Issue 9 (12-2019)
Abstract
Abstract
In 1931, The archaeological sites of Sulaiman Tapa, Tel-e Baksaye and Seba’āt-e Kahriz were registered in the National Iranian Registry of Sites, but since then, their exact location remained unknown. According to the Cultural Heritage monuments list, the Location of all three sites are in Iraq. In this article we have attempted to find clues about the location of these three sites, according to De Morgan’s reports, satellite photographs, Historical maps and documents related to the late Qajar and early Pahlavi periods of the Iran-Ottoman Border conflict. Our evaluations indicate that these three sites are located in three different locations inside modern Iraq- Iran’s political border somewhere around Ilam province. In this article, the authors try to answer these three questions: Have these sites been inside Iranian border in Qajar and Pahlavi periods? Are these three sites traceable? Could the mentioned sites be dated to the Elamite period?
Keywords: National Iranian Registry, Sulaiman Tapa, Tel-e Baksaye, Seba’āt-e Kahriz, Pusht-i Kuh Luristan, borderland.
Introduction
Jean-Jacques De Morgan was a French mining engineer, geologist, and archaeologist who had travelled to all across the Iranian plateau before starting excavations at Susa. During his visit to Pusht-i Kuh, De Morgan was hosted by Hussein-Gholi Khan, the governor of this region for more than a month. in Etudes geographques, he indicates to these ancient sites of Sulaiman Tapa, Tel-e Baksaye and Seba’āt-e Kheriz (Tchahar-riz) located west and south of Pusht-i Kuh beyond the Iranian current border. André Godard, another French archaeologist was assigned to serve the new-founded Iranian Archeological Service in 1922. He was responsible for registering and restoring the national heritage monuments. The first three monuments that were recorded in Godard’s list were Sulaiman Tapa, Tel-e Baksaye and Seba’āt-e Kheriz. It seems that Godard had used De Morgan’s book to present Pusht-i Kuh monuments.
Discussion
During the last centuries, the western border of Iran has always been the matter of dispute between Iran and its neighbors. The conflicts between the Iranian and Ottoman governments began in the Safavid era. In 1850 some joint commissions were appointed to settle the border disputes and their work were underway for about 70 years. These commissions were mediated by Russian and British representatives in the region. The present borders of Iran and Iraq are the result of these commissions. During and before these commissions the nomads of the region were easily crossing the border. The Baksaye or Bagh-e Shahi area nowadays on Iraqi soil was part of the Pusht-i kuh governor’s estate. But as the Pahlavi era began, the last governor fled to Iraq and the region was permanently separated from Iran.
De Morgan only gave an explanation of his visit to the Tursaq area. He has been silent about the two districts of the Baksaye and the Tib River Basin. It seems that he has never been to these two areas. It sounds that local people or the governor himself have informed de Morgan about Tel-e Baksaye and Seba’āt-e Kahriz. he may also have access to the map of the Border Commission in which these two sites have been mentioned. In the map of boundary delimitation committee all three areas of Tursaq, Baksaye and Seba’āt-e Kahriz Sabah are attested and their location are shown.
Conclusion
Some 90 years after registering of Tursaq sites (Sulaiman and Zirzir Tapa), as well as Tel-e Baksaye and Seba’āt-e Kahriz sites in the of Iranian National list of Registered Sites, an opportunity presented itself to gather information on the latter using written documents, historical maps and remote sensing techniques. The Tursaq complex, which has been registered under the name of Sulaiman Tapa, is essentially two separated, yet nearby settlements. According to the illustrated report by the Iraqi Antiquities Department published in 1967, Tursaq has deposits dating to the Achaemenid and Seleucid periods, whereas according to Jacques de Morgan the sites date to the Kassite period, while the National Iranian Registry of Sites refer to the site as Elamite. As for Baksaye, de Morgan only refers to the site’s name and it is registered on the Iranian list. Based on the Iraqi Atlas of Archaeological Sites, the latter site, a cluster of several small sites in the Baksaye area next to the Iran-Iraq border in Mehran region, dates back to Old Assyrian, Kassite and Islamic times. The third site, erroneously registered on the list as Seba’āt-e Khariz is in fact Seba’āt-e Kahriz (Seven Kariz) in the north of the Maysan Province of Iraq. According to De Morgan and the Iranian list this site is Elamite, but our analyses of satellite and aerial images suggest that the site might in fact belong to Seleucid-Parthian, and perhaps Sasanian periods.
In 1931, The archaeological sites of Sulaiman Tapa, Tel-e Baksaye and Seba’āt-e Kahriz were registered in the National Iranian Registry of Sites, but since then, their exact location remained unknown. According to the Cultural Heritage monuments list, the Location of all three sites are in Iraq. In this article we have attempted to find clues about the location of these three sites, according to De Morgan’s reports, satellite photographs, Historical maps and documents related to the late Qajar and early Pahlavi periods of the Iran-Ottoman Border conflict. Our evaluations indicate that these three sites are located in three different locations inside modern Iraq- Iran’s political border somewhere around Ilam province. In this article, the authors try to answer these three questions: Have these sites been inside Iranian border in Qajar and Pahlavi periods? Are these three sites traceable? Could the mentioned sites be dated to the Elamite period?
Keywords: National Iranian Registry, Sulaiman Tapa, Tel-e Baksaye, Seba’āt-e Kahriz, Pusht-i Kuh Luristan, borderland.
Introduction
Jean-Jacques De Morgan was a French mining engineer, geologist, and archaeologist who had travelled to all across the Iranian plateau before starting excavations at Susa. During his visit to Pusht-i Kuh, De Morgan was hosted by Hussein-Gholi Khan, the governor of this region for more than a month. in Etudes geographques, he indicates to these ancient sites of Sulaiman Tapa, Tel-e Baksaye and Seba’āt-e Kheriz (Tchahar-riz) located west and south of Pusht-i Kuh beyond the Iranian current border. André Godard, another French archaeologist was assigned to serve the new-founded Iranian Archeological Service in 1922. He was responsible for registering and restoring the national heritage monuments. The first three monuments that were recorded in Godard’s list were Sulaiman Tapa, Tel-e Baksaye and Seba’āt-e Kheriz. It seems that Godard had used De Morgan’s book to present Pusht-i Kuh monuments.
Discussion
During the last centuries, the western border of Iran has always been the matter of dispute between Iran and its neighbors. The conflicts between the Iranian and Ottoman governments began in the Safavid era. In 1850 some joint commissions were appointed to settle the border disputes and their work were underway for about 70 years. These commissions were mediated by Russian and British representatives in the region. The present borders of Iran and Iraq are the result of these commissions. During and before these commissions the nomads of the region were easily crossing the border. The Baksaye or Bagh-e Shahi area nowadays on Iraqi soil was part of the Pusht-i kuh governor’s estate. But as the Pahlavi era began, the last governor fled to Iraq and the region was permanently separated from Iran.
De Morgan only gave an explanation of his visit to the Tursaq area. He has been silent about the two districts of the Baksaye and the Tib River Basin. It seems that he has never been to these two areas. It sounds that local people or the governor himself have informed de Morgan about Tel-e Baksaye and Seba’āt-e Kahriz. he may also have access to the map of the Border Commission in which these two sites have been mentioned. In the map of boundary delimitation committee all three areas of Tursaq, Baksaye and Seba’āt-e Kahriz Sabah are attested and their location are shown.
Conclusion
Some 90 years after registering of Tursaq sites (Sulaiman and Zirzir Tapa), as well as Tel-e Baksaye and Seba’āt-e Kahriz sites in the of Iranian National list of Registered Sites, an opportunity presented itself to gather information on the latter using written documents, historical maps and remote sensing techniques. The Tursaq complex, which has been registered under the name of Sulaiman Tapa, is essentially two separated, yet nearby settlements. According to the illustrated report by the Iraqi Antiquities Department published in 1967, Tursaq has deposits dating to the Achaemenid and Seleucid periods, whereas according to Jacques de Morgan the sites date to the Kassite period, while the National Iranian Registry of Sites refer to the site as Elamite. As for Baksaye, de Morgan only refers to the site’s name and it is registered on the Iranian list. Based on the Iraqi Atlas of Archaeological Sites, the latter site, a cluster of several small sites in the Baksaye area next to the Iran-Iraq border in Mehran region, dates back to Old Assyrian, Kassite and Islamic times. The third site, erroneously registered on the list as Seba’āt-e Khariz is in fact Seba’āt-e Kahriz (Seven Kariz) in the north of the Maysan Province of Iraq. According to De Morgan and the Iranian list this site is Elamite, but our analyses of satellite and aerial images suggest that the site might in fact belong to Seleucid-Parthian, and perhaps Sasanian periods.
Richard Nable,
year 7, Issue 24 (8-2023)
year 7, Issue 24 (8-2023)
Abstract
This paper will compare the characteristics of four ancient Iranian, copper alloy weapons. These weapons are from private collections in the USA at the time of examination. The first two weapons fall into the category of dirks (or daggers). This characterization is based on the overall length of the weapons in question. For comparative purposes, a dagger reaches 30 cm, a dirk is a classification for weapons with overall lengths of 30-50 cm, while a sword would have an overall length of over 50 cm. Because precise archaeological data is absent for these pieces, we examined short-term provenance and microscopic analysis, together with stylistic components to verify the authenticity and general cultural origin of each specimen. The hilt of each weapon is bordered by a ridge, or flange, on both sides that would have allowed for an organic or stone inlay to make the grip more comfortable and functional, as well as adding to the aesthetics of the piece. The pommels of these weapons all have a similar, crescent shape. Weapon 2, has not only a crescent-shaped pommel but also a more pronounced, crescent-shaped guard. Both of the dirks (weapons 1 and 2) have roughly triangular blades. However, the blade of weapon 1 becomes narrower near the guard while the blade of weapon 2 does the opposite and flares out near the guard. Microscopic examination of the patinas confirms the ancient origin of each piece, however, subtle differences in the patinas suggest that the alloys and/or the burial conditions of each were potentially different. This would be an area where further study would be warranted.
- Alireza Gudarzi,
year 7, Issue 25 (12-2023)
year 7, Issue 25 (12-2023)
Abstract
Abstract
Scholars have been reading Assyrian texts for over a hundred years to locate the toponymys mentioned in the inscriptions. Some of these toponymys are located on the eastern borders of the territory of the new Assyrian empire in western Iran, one of which was the Ellipian kingdom. Inscriptions of the Neo Assyrian Period from Ashurnasirpal II (866 B.C) to Ashurbanipal (639 B.C.), had referring about 250 years to the Ellipian kingdom. Most archaeologists have located the Ellipian kingdom north of Pish-Koh in Luristan and south of Kermanshah. Over the last two decades, after the attribution of Genre of Luristan ware (Baba Jan III painted ware) to the kingdom of Ellipi by Louis Levine and later Yana Medvedskaya, researchers have tried to analyze the different cultural finds such as this type of ware in the context of the kingdom. The reason of researchers for attribute Genre of Luristan ware to Ellipian kingdon is the concurrence and distribution of this type of ware in the territory considered for kingdom of Ellipi. This study seeks to use the Historical archaeology approach, which relies on interpreting historical textual information in the context of archaeological data to provide an accurate and comprehensive analysis of this issue. This research indicates that attributing the archaeological findings of the early first millennium BC such as Genre of Luristan ware, to the kingdom of Ellipi is not valid. This attribution should be considered a hypothesis; basing it on analysis of findings will lead to misguidance and inaccurate results. On the one hand, there is no actual historical evidence for the exact location of the kingdom of Ellipi in the Pish-Koh of Luristan. On the other hand, according to the existence of nomadism in this region, adapting the distribution range of archaeological data such as Genre of Luristan ware with the historical information in Assyrian texts is problematic.
Keywords: Pish-Koh, 1st Millennium B.C, Genre of Luristan Ware, Kingdom of Ellipi, Historical Archaeology.
Introduction
Scholars have been reading Assyrian texts for over a hundred years to locate the toponymys mentioned in the inscriptions. Some of these toponymys are located on the eastern borders of the territory of the new Assyrian empire in western Iran, one of which was the Ellipian kingdom. Inscriptions of the Neo Assyrian Period from Ashurnasirpal II (866 BC) to Ashurbanipal (639 BC), had referring about 250 years to the Ellipian kingdom. Most archaeologists have located the Ellipian kingdom north of Pish-Koh in Luristan and south of Kermanshah (Fig, 1). According to their studies, Kingdom of Ellipi include original range of Pish-koh, which From the north to the Gareen mountains(Harhar), in the northeast to along the Grien and in the East to Oshtoran-Koh (Media), from the south in the basin of Seymareh(Elam),in the West to Kabir-koh and in the North-West to South Harsin(Bit-Hamban)(Mollazah&Goudarzi,2016:89-92).
Genre of Luristan ware (Chronology, Stylistics& Attribution)
The genre of Luristan ware, which was first emerged in the early first millennium BC, during the Iron Age IIB(950–800BC)& IIIA (800-650BC), was distributed in the settlement and graveyards of Pish-Koh region(Adachi, 2004: 81). The pottery is often called by Roman Ghirshman »Genre Luristan«, that were found from Giyan Tapeh(Contenau&Ghirshman,1935). Although after excavation at Baba Jan tape by Clare Goff, she named them »Baba Jan III painted ware«(Goff, 1978 : 29). Baba Jan III painted wares, decorated with the bow-tie designs, which has called the kite design.
The appearance for about 300 years of genre of Luristan ware or Baba Jan III painted wares, can be divided into two phases old style and new style. Old style of genre of Luristan ware (Baba Jan III) is mostly handmade or thrown on a slow wheel. But the new style of this pottery (Baba Jan IIB) is made entirely by wheel. In addition to the Pish-Koh area, the new style of genre of luristan ware has been obtained in the south of Hersin (Goudarzi, 2017: 226). This phenomenon is the result of the expansion of cultural relations and has led to the evolution of technology and wheel maker genre of Luristan ware (Fig.2&3).
Moorey suggested that genre of Luristan ware in the Iron Age Luristan can be generally attributed to invader from outside of this region(Moorey,1974:19). The invaders have been considered to be Kassites, Cimmerians, Median or Elamite people. Goff thinks that the culture of Baba Jan III was mist probably Median (Goff, 1968: 131). Medvedskaya believes that Baba Jan III painted ware belongs to the Ellipian kingdom (Medvedskaya, 1999:59). She says it cannot be Median, because it is quite different from the pottery found at Nush-I Jan tape.
Discussion
Over the last two decades, after the attribution of genre of Luristan ware (Baba Jan III painted ware) to the kingdom of Ellipi by Louis Levine and later Yana Medvedskaya, Iranian researchers have tried to analyze the different cultural finds such as this type of ware in the context of the kingdom(Shishegar, 2006; Molazadeh&goudarzi,2016؛Garavand, 2014). The reason of researchers for attribute genre of Luristan ware to Ellipian kingdom is the concurrence and distribution of this type of ware in the territory considered for kingdom of Ellipi (Fig. 4). This study seeks to use the historical archaeology approach, which relies on interpreting historical textual information in the context of archaeological data to provide an accurate and comprehensive analysis of this issue.
But the available resources for reconstruction of historical geography of Ellipian kingdom is limited to historical texts and analysis archaeological data. The historical data, on one hand, are limited to Assyrian inscriptions, which often look and more political sententious zoom describes their version of victories. On the other hand, no writing among on the land of the Babylonians and especially Elamite inscriptions about Ellipi that according to evidence have been good relationship with Ellipian achieved. In addition to according to Assyrian texts, three times by Assyrian army, the territory of Ellipian kingdom has been occupied. Bat yet no data had been obtained about the presence of the Assyrians in Pish-Koh. For example, Assyrian data such as seals and decorations found on the tapeh Giyan, not obtained in Pish-Koh of Luristan(Fig. 5). Also finding a type of pottery in archaeological sites, can be no reason for a special ethnicity. Because the main data that anthropologists emphasize, such as clothing, etymology, language and etc., usually not available to archaeologists.
Conclusion
In this study tried to answer the question that the attribution of genre luristan ware to Ellipian kingdom is true and meaningful? So with the comprehensive utilization of historical sources and archaeological data in context of the geographical features of the region, provide a logical analysis. This research indicates that attributing the archaeological findings of the early first millennium BC such as genre of Luristan ware, to the kingdom of Ellipi is not valid. This attribution should be considered a hypothesis; basing it on analysis of findings will lead to misguidance and inaccurate results. On the one hand, there is no actual historical evidence for the exact location of the kingdom of Ellipi in the Pish-Koh of Luristan. On the other hand, according to the existence of nomadism in this region, adapting the distribution range of archaeological data such as genre of Luristan ware with the historical information in Assyrian texts is problematic. Therefore, we can offer Pish –Koh area, in the historical geography of 1st millennium B.C, for location of Ellipan kingdom. But attribution of archaeological data and putting it on the basis of analysis will be a hasty and unscientific.
Acknowledgment
Spatial thanks to Bill Partt (Royal Ontario Museum) for access to the excavation data of Jame- Shoran site.
Conflict of Interest
This paper is an independent research of the author and has not conflict of interest with any organization.
Scholars have been reading Assyrian texts for over a hundred years to locate the toponymys mentioned in the inscriptions. Some of these toponymys are located on the eastern borders of the territory of the new Assyrian empire in western Iran, one of which was the Ellipian kingdom. Inscriptions of the Neo Assyrian Period from Ashurnasirpal II (866 B.C) to Ashurbanipal (639 B.C.), had referring about 250 years to the Ellipian kingdom. Most archaeologists have located the Ellipian kingdom north of Pish-Koh in Luristan and south of Kermanshah. Over the last two decades, after the attribution of Genre of Luristan ware (Baba Jan III painted ware) to the kingdom of Ellipi by Louis Levine and later Yana Medvedskaya, researchers have tried to analyze the different cultural finds such as this type of ware in the context of the kingdom. The reason of researchers for attribute Genre of Luristan ware to Ellipian kingdon is the concurrence and distribution of this type of ware in the territory considered for kingdom of Ellipi. This study seeks to use the Historical archaeology approach, which relies on interpreting historical textual information in the context of archaeological data to provide an accurate and comprehensive analysis of this issue. This research indicates that attributing the archaeological findings of the early first millennium BC such as Genre of Luristan ware, to the kingdom of Ellipi is not valid. This attribution should be considered a hypothesis; basing it on analysis of findings will lead to misguidance and inaccurate results. On the one hand, there is no actual historical evidence for the exact location of the kingdom of Ellipi in the Pish-Koh of Luristan. On the other hand, according to the existence of nomadism in this region, adapting the distribution range of archaeological data such as Genre of Luristan ware with the historical information in Assyrian texts is problematic.
Keywords: Pish-Koh, 1st Millennium B.C, Genre of Luristan Ware, Kingdom of Ellipi, Historical Archaeology.
Introduction
Scholars have been reading Assyrian texts for over a hundred years to locate the toponymys mentioned in the inscriptions. Some of these toponymys are located on the eastern borders of the territory of the new Assyrian empire in western Iran, one of which was the Ellipian kingdom. Inscriptions of the Neo Assyrian Period from Ashurnasirpal II (866 BC) to Ashurbanipal (639 BC), had referring about 250 years to the Ellipian kingdom. Most archaeologists have located the Ellipian kingdom north of Pish-Koh in Luristan and south of Kermanshah (Fig, 1). According to their studies, Kingdom of Ellipi include original range of Pish-koh, which From the north to the Gareen mountains(Harhar), in the northeast to along the Grien and in the East to Oshtoran-Koh (Media), from the south in the basin of Seymareh(Elam),in the West to Kabir-koh and in the North-West to South Harsin(Bit-Hamban)(Mollazah&Goudarzi,2016:89-92).
Genre of Luristan ware (Chronology, Stylistics& Attribution)
The genre of Luristan ware, which was first emerged in the early first millennium BC, during the Iron Age IIB(950–800BC)& IIIA (800-650BC), was distributed in the settlement and graveyards of Pish-Koh region(Adachi, 2004: 81). The pottery is often called by Roman Ghirshman »Genre Luristan«, that were found from Giyan Tapeh(Contenau&Ghirshman,1935). Although after excavation at Baba Jan tape by Clare Goff, she named them »Baba Jan III painted ware«(Goff, 1978 : 29). Baba Jan III painted wares, decorated with the bow-tie designs, which has called the kite design.
The appearance for about 300 years of genre of Luristan ware or Baba Jan III painted wares, can be divided into two phases old style and new style. Old style of genre of Luristan ware (Baba Jan III) is mostly handmade or thrown on a slow wheel. But the new style of this pottery (Baba Jan IIB) is made entirely by wheel. In addition to the Pish-Koh area, the new style of genre of luristan ware has been obtained in the south of Hersin (Goudarzi, 2017: 226). This phenomenon is the result of the expansion of cultural relations and has led to the evolution of technology and wheel maker genre of Luristan ware (Fig.2&3).
Moorey suggested that genre of Luristan ware in the Iron Age Luristan can be generally attributed to invader from outside of this region(Moorey,1974:19). The invaders have been considered to be Kassites, Cimmerians, Median or Elamite people. Goff thinks that the culture of Baba Jan III was mist probably Median (Goff, 1968: 131). Medvedskaya believes that Baba Jan III painted ware belongs to the Ellipian kingdom (Medvedskaya, 1999:59). She says it cannot be Median, because it is quite different from the pottery found at Nush-I Jan tape.
Discussion
Over the last two decades, after the attribution of genre of Luristan ware (Baba Jan III painted ware) to the kingdom of Ellipi by Louis Levine and later Yana Medvedskaya, Iranian researchers have tried to analyze the different cultural finds such as this type of ware in the context of the kingdom(Shishegar, 2006; Molazadeh&goudarzi,2016؛Garavand, 2014). The reason of researchers for attribute genre of Luristan ware to Ellipian kingdom is the concurrence and distribution of this type of ware in the territory considered for kingdom of Ellipi (Fig. 4). This study seeks to use the historical archaeology approach, which relies on interpreting historical textual information in the context of archaeological data to provide an accurate and comprehensive analysis of this issue.
But the available resources for reconstruction of historical geography of Ellipian kingdom is limited to historical texts and analysis archaeological data. The historical data, on one hand, are limited to Assyrian inscriptions, which often look and more political sententious zoom describes their version of victories. On the other hand, no writing among on the land of the Babylonians and especially Elamite inscriptions about Ellipi that according to evidence have been good relationship with Ellipian achieved. In addition to according to Assyrian texts, three times by Assyrian army, the territory of Ellipian kingdom has been occupied. Bat yet no data had been obtained about the presence of the Assyrians in Pish-Koh. For example, Assyrian data such as seals and decorations found on the tapeh Giyan, not obtained in Pish-Koh of Luristan(Fig. 5). Also finding a type of pottery in archaeological sites, can be no reason for a special ethnicity. Because the main data that anthropologists emphasize, such as clothing, etymology, language and etc., usually not available to archaeologists.
Conclusion
In this study tried to answer the question that the attribution of genre luristan ware to Ellipian kingdom is true and meaningful? So with the comprehensive utilization of historical sources and archaeological data in context of the geographical features of the region, provide a logical analysis. This research indicates that attributing the archaeological findings of the early first millennium BC such as genre of Luristan ware, to the kingdom of Ellipi is not valid. This attribution should be considered a hypothesis; basing it on analysis of findings will lead to misguidance and inaccurate results. On the one hand, there is no actual historical evidence for the exact location of the kingdom of Ellipi in the Pish-Koh of Luristan. On the other hand, according to the existence of nomadism in this region, adapting the distribution range of archaeological data such as genre of Luristan ware with the historical information in Assyrian texts is problematic. Therefore, we can offer Pish –Koh area, in the historical geography of 1st millennium B.C, for location of Ellipan kingdom. But attribution of archaeological data and putting it on the basis of analysis will be a hasty and unscientific.
Acknowledgment
Spatial thanks to Bill Partt (Royal Ontario Museum) for access to the excavation data of Jame- Shoran site.
Conflict of Interest
This paper is an independent research of the author and has not conflict of interest with any organization.
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