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Zabihallah Masoudinia, Ahmad Salehi Kakhki, Saied Hashom Hossaini,
year 5, Issue 16 (9-2021)
Abstract

Abstract
Kohgiluyeh; One of the most enduring names of the Islamic era is in the southwestern part of Iran, which has played a very important role in the political and social changes in this region. More than a thousand years have passed since the name of Kuhgiluyeh was mentioned in historical sources, but so far there has been no mention of the existence of such a city and it has always been mentioned as a geographical area or region. Recent discoveries in the historic city of Dehdasht show that Kuhgiluyeh was not only a geographical area, but also the most important urban center of the region in the Islamic Middle Ages. Also, it was of great importance in politics, military, economics, and even religion. This evidence includes a valuable treasure of 194 historical coins, some of which have the city of Kohgiluyeh engraved on as the place of minting. The location of Kuhgiluyeh city among the mints of this period shows the importance and of this city, which has remained unknown until now, and its geographical location is not known. Now, these questions can be asked: During what period and at what time were they discovered coins minted? When and what time did the city of Kohgiluyeh mint on these coins? Where is it located today in terms of geographical location? Which of the historical sites of the region is it compatible with? This study aimed to determine the period of minting the discovered coins, to locate the geographical location of Kuhgiluyeh city, and to gain information about the method of collecting library and field information. Its approach is historical-analytical. Kuhgiluyeh Mint, as one of the most active and important mints in the period of Agh-e-Quyunlus and Atabakan Lor Bozorg, is in harmony with the historical city of Dehdasht, in Kohgiluyeh. The Safavid period was renamed the city of Dehdasht and over time, the name of Kohgiluyeh has been forgotten.
Keywords: Coin, Kuhgiluyeh Mint, Agh Quyunluha, Historical City of Dehdasht.

Introduction
Kuhgiluyeh is one of the most famous places in the southwest of Iran, which according to historical sources, its peak period and fame; Goes back to the Safavid period (Valeh Esfahani, 1993: 643; Mirk Hosseini, 2006: 437). Lack of information about this area has led many researchers to rely on new archaeological evidence and discoveries, especially written works and findings, for more information and knowledge of its dark and unknown aspects. The study of coins discovered in the historical city of Dehdasht has provided us with useful and important information about the political and economic situation of this region during the Agh Quyunlu period, the most important of which is the introduction of the city of Kuhgiluyeh as one of the most important mints of this period. Until now, there was no information or knowledge about it.  
Research Purpose: The aim of this study is to introduce and locate the city of Kuhgiluyeh in the Islamic Middle Ages, to study the discovered coins and to study and analyze the historical sources as well as the most important urban centers of the region. 
Research Questions: 1- What period do the coins discovered from the historical city of Dehdasht belong to and during which rulers were they minted? 2- The location of the historical city of Kuhgiluyeh corresponds to which of the historical sites? 
Research Method: This research has been conducted by descriptive-analytical method and its information has been collected through library and field studies. The field information of this research is based on the study of a collection of coins minted in Kuhgiluyeh, which was discovered in 2009 AD in the form of a small treasure consisting of 193 silver coins in the historical city of Dehdasht and is kept in the repository of the Archaeological Museum of Yasuj. 

Discussion
The most important collection of coins discovered in the city is a collection of 193 silver coins that was discovered in 2009 AD during the demolition and restoration of Pirghazi tomb in the portico of the historic city of Dehdasht, in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad provinces.  Studies on coins discovered in the historical city of Dehdasht, show that 80% of these coins are of the type of surcharge coins and the rest are of the type of common mint coins.  Coins discovered; they belong to the reign of the Turkomans of Aq Quyunlu and the reign of Ozun Hassan (1453-1477 AD) to Sultan Muhammad (1500 AD). According to studies, 14 coins from this collection were minted in Kuhgiluyeh Mint during the reign of three rulers of this period (Sultan Yaqub, Sultan Rostam, and Sultan Murad).
The total number of coins minted during the reign of Sultan Yaqub in this collection is eight coins; the place of minting two coins is Kuhgiluyeh. Out of 64 coins minted by Sultan Rostam (1484-1496), 11 coins are minted by Kuhgiluyeh. The number of coins related to the time of Sultan Murad (1497), are 19 pieces and all of them are without surcharge and are of the type of ordinary coins. Among these coins, one was minted in Kohgiluyeh. 
Before the Agh Quyunlu period, in the Atabakan Lor period, the name of Kuhgiluyeh was mentioned in the list of mints (Alaeddini, 2017: 181). The minting of several coins by the rulers of Aq Quyunlu, with the minting of Kuhgiluyeh, which is sometimes of high quality and weight among other mints of this period, shows that not only this city did not decline during the transition from Atabkan to Aq Quyunlu but has been able to maintain its past position, become one of the most active and important mints of this period. 

Conclusion
According to the studies conducted in the Giloyeh mountain region and its sphere of influence, only two cities, Behbahan and Dehdasht, have the necessary conditions and potential (area, communication and climatic location) to locate and propose as the location of the city of Koohgiluyeh. There is no doubt or ambiguity about the history of Behbahan name since its formation in the 14th century AD until today and in terms of its settlement history and naming can not be related to the city of Kuhgiluyeh which in the 14th century AD, due to the importance of the city, coins were minted. Therefore, the only historical site in the region that can be compared with the city of Kuhgiluyeh in terms of age and historical background, size and geographical location and climatic conditions, is the historical city of Dehdasht.  The study of archeological findings such as pottery discovered from the historical city of Dehdasht also dates the city back to the Sassanid period and early Islam.  In addition to archeological findings, historical sources in their descriptions of the historical city of Dehdasht refer to much older works outside the city walls and also the order to build the city of Balad Shapur by the second Sassanid Shapur, which is consistent with the results of archaeological findings, has it. The cities of Kuhgiluyeh (Islamic Middle Ages) and Dehdasht (Safavid period) have many commonalities, the most important of which are the antiquity of these two cities and the lack of historical information about their historical status in the pre-Safavid period and their location in a same geographical area, which can be the point of connection between the two.  According to what has been proposed so far, the city and mint of Kuhgiluyeh in the 14th and 15th centuries AD can be located in the current location of the historical city of Dehdasht in the city of Kuhgiluyeh. 

Rahim Velayati, Parastoo Naeimi Taraei, Hassan Vahdani Charzekhon, Hamid Karmpor,
year 7, Issue 26 (2-2024)
Abstract

Abstract
The historical city of Ujan, located in in East Azerbaijan northwest Iran, has been one of the most important cities of the Ilkhanid dynasty (1256 to 1335 AD). A number of coins were found during the excavation and study of the site by Tehran University’s Archaeological Board in 2017-2020. In this article, 13 coins have been analyzed and reported. The coins were cleaned as much as possible so that the inscriptions and designs were examined and read, whose results are presented in this paper. All of the 13 coins are minted in the styles attributed to the Abu Sa’id period, the last powerful Mongol Ilkhanid ruler born in Ujan. Based on elemental analysis, most coins are copper. Two of them are made of bronze alloy (copper-tin) and the other is made of brass alloy (copper-zinc). The use of lead has been reported in the composition of all alloyed coins. All the coins unearthed from Ujan excavations have been minted in the city of Tabriz. This is probably due to the commercial and economic importance of Tabriz in the Ilkhanid period, because no evidence of minting coins has been found or reported in the Ujan area so far. The analyses of the coins are indicative of important historical, cultural and political facts about the Ilkhanid dynasty.
Keywords: Ujan, Ilkhanid Period, Alloy, Mint, Ujan Coins.

Introduction
Ujan, located 38 km east of Tabriz, was an important city during the Ilkhanid period, serving as a summer residence for the royal family.  It was rebuilt during the Ghazan Khan Ilkhanid period but lost its importance due to earthquakes and wars. Ujan is an example of an Ilkhanid city with Islamic architecture and urban planning (Velayati et al. 2020).
Coins from Abu Sa’id, were found in Ujan and minted in Soltanieh and Tabriz. In archaeological studies, coins indicate civilization, prosperity, and decline of a territory or monarchy. The study of coins can provide insights into nations’ pasts, as well as their artistic, religious, political, and social development (Sarafrazi 2010). Ilkhanid coins are categorized into three groups: (1) early Ilkhanid period with Quranic verses and no Uighur inscriptions, (2) period of stability with Uighur inscriptions and Mongolian titles, and (3) time of Oljaitu with Persian inscriptions including Islamic testimonies, Shiite mottos, and names of Rashidin Khalifs (Avarzamani & Sarfaraz 2009).

Identification of Ilkhanid City of Ujan Based on Archaeological Finds
The Mongols’ recorded history dates back to the late 12th and early 13th centuries AD, with information from “the mysterious history of the Mongols” and Persian and Chinese records (Bosworth,1988:243). The Ilkhanid khans was elected in Qoriltay, with Maragheh, Ujan, Tabriz, and Soltanieh as capitals(Atwood 2004: 231, 233). After four seasons of study, the University of Tehran’s Archeology department discovered the historical city of Ujan, located 38 km east of Tabriz, north of Sahand Mountains, East Azerbaijan. Figure 1 shows the historical map of Ujan City (Velayati, 2016).

Historical Context of Ujan
The name of Ujan was first mentioned in the book “Masalak-al-Mamalak Istakhri” and later by other Arab geographers. In 698 AH, Ilkhan ordered the construction of the Islamic city, which was built quickly with bazaars, baths, and land divided among his relatives. Ghazan Khan rebuilt a mansion in Ujan and called it the city of Islam. Many events occurred in Ujan between 740 to 806 AH, including Amir Teymour resting in the Ghazani Palace. An Ottoman tourist reported that Ujan was once a large city but was destroyed during Holakokhan’s reign and people migrated to Tabriz. Ghazan Khan later repaired the castle of the city.

Ujan Coins
Studying the chemical composition of coins offers valuable insights into various aspects including politics, society, economics, and production methods. The origins of raw materials in different periods can indicate religion, art, culture, traditions, or architecture (Fierascu et al., 2009). Numerous coins were excavated from the historical city of Ujan and a comprehensive analysis was conducted on thirteen selected coins after thorough cleaning to ensure precise results (Figure 2).

Method 
In this study, 13 coins were imaged using Rigaku’s Radioflex-100CSB X-ray radiographic method to examine the metal core and legible motifs and inscriptions. After cleansing, the coins were imaged using a Leika / Wild M8 stereo microscope. A small part of the coins was cleaned and imaged using a FEI ESEM QUANTA 200 microscope to study the alloy composition. Elemental analysis was performed by the EDAX EDS Silicon Drift 2017 detector connected to the microscope.

Results and Discussion
The results of the elemental analysis of Ujan coins in Table 1 show that the base metal for making all coins is copper and a large number of samples have the same composition with small amounts of lead.
The thickness and lead content of coins affect their X-ray images (Figure 3). Coins with higher lead content and thickness emit fewer X-rays. The uniform distribution of lead particles in the metal matrix creates a distinction between the background and lead globules in X-ray images. This suggests that Ujan coins were cast horizontally using an open mold. Most coins have low amounts of lead, which is likely an impurity in the metal composition, associated with tin and sulfur. The lead impurities may be related to the smelting and extraction method used to mint the coins.

Inscription Reading and Minting Analysis  
Ilkhanid coins are divided into three periods based on their inscriptions, representing the cultural attitudes of Ilkhans. In the early years, they incorporated aspects of Iranian culture onto their coins, possibly influenced by advisors like Khajeh Nasir al-Din Toosi. In the second period, some Ilkhans tried to embrace their Mongolian heritage by minting coins in Uyghur script, but this failed when Al-Jaito converted to Islam and developed Islamic and Iranian culture (Yar Ahmadi, 2010: 40). Mongolian culture was marginalized, and only a few political dissidents used the second method of minting coins.
The analysis showed that corrosion and previous interventions have caused the disappearance or distortion of designs and inscriptions on some coins. Only some coins were examined and read after clearing based on evidence in X-ray radiographic images. Analysis of coins in this study indicates that they belonged to the period of Abu Sa’id, the last and greatest Ilkhan king. During his reign, coins did not follow a special formal pattern, but had limited use of geometrical and non-geometrical patterns with the king’s name, Islamic testimonies, and the name of Rashidun Khaliphs. Lion and sun motifs were prevalent, rooted in Roman Seljuq coin minting. Five, six or seven-pointed stars appeared on coins, possibly imitated from Seljuqs. Abu Sa’id also used Mihrab (altar) motif with Quranic verses on his coins (Salehi 2014: 61).
Coin UJ-01 features several motifs on one side, with the inscription “La ilaha illa Allah Muhammad Rasoolullah” on the other (Figure 4). Coin UJ-06 has an engraving depicting a rider racing on horseback, in the style of Ilkhani coins, with the phrase “La ilaha illa Allah Muhammad Rasoolullah” inscribed along the edge (Figure 5). Coin UJ-07 is well-preserved, with the ruler’s name written as “Al-Sultan Azam Abu Sa’id Bahador Khan Khaldullah Malika” and the mint name as “Tabriz Mint”. Inside a six-pointed star are the names of Rashidun Khaliphs and Hazrat Ali (AS), representing Abu Sa’id’s Sunni faith. Outside the star is the inscription “La ilaha illa Allah Muhammad Rasoolullah” (Figure 6).
During the Ilkhanid period, mints had a lot of freedom in choosing and writing inscriptions on coins, as long as they remained loyal to the Ilkhanid system and its religious policies. This allowed each sultan or ruler to change the coins according to their own taste. For example, in Amol, coins were minted with the names of the Twelve Imams even during the Timurid period. Studies show that during the time of Abu Sa’id, nearly a hundred cities and districts minted coins in his name. However, it seems that Ujan did not have a mint, possibly due to its proximity to Tabriz. Further excavation may reveal coins minted in Ujan.

Conclusion
Ujan is a city of great economic importance due to its location on the Silk Road and its role in trade. Historical sources suggest the city had many caravanserais and economic prosperity. Coins minted in Ujan, mostly from the period of Sultan Abu Sa’id Bahador Khan Ilkhani, have been found. In this research, 13 coins were examined, 10 made of copper and 3 of copper alloys. The copper used in minting is associated with lead, with uniform distribution of lead particles in the metal matrix of all Ujan coins. The horizontal minting method was used in casting alloys. Many coins have corroded or distorted designs and inscriptions, but three (UJ-01, UJ-06, and UJ-07) have almost complete Islamic inscriptions and designs in the style of Ilkhanoid coins.
The examinations show that during the early Ilkhanid period, rulers used religious inscriptions in minting coins to propagate their ideology and gain legitimacy among the people. The use of Quranic verses and inscriptions on coins from this period suggests that the Mongols, who lacked religious legitimacy to rule Islamic lands, sought to attribute their ruling to divine destiny by circulating coins among ordinary people.


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