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Showing 4 results for Sistan
Dr Mohammad Ebrahim Zareei, Dr Mohammad Keikha,
year 0, Issue 0 (3-2024)
year 0, Issue 0 (3-2024)
Abstract
Bibi Doost hills series around Bonjar city of the central part of Zabol city in the north of Sistan and Baluchestan province along the Niatak Duct in a north-south direction. These series of hills due to its Massive volume of cultural materials, especially pottery samples and the proximity to the Zahedan Kohne site the second government of Sistan in the Islamic era it is of special importance in the Studies of Archaeology and History of Sistan, Accordingly with the issuance of a license from the Archaeological Research Institute in 2016, speculation to determine the area and privacy done. In this study 877 pieces of pottery related to the Islamic era were identified, recorded and studied. Examples mentioned in four groups: Simple unglazed pottery, no engraved glaze, Simple glazed and Glazed engraved were located. in this research an attempt was made to start Study ancient sources And Archaeological Researches The Real Identity of Bibi Doost Hills in the North of Zahedan Kohne Then, the samples of pottery collected from the level of Bibi Doost hills should be applied to: their typology and relative dating. The results of the studies indicate that it is important that the Bibi Doost hills are part of the second capital of Sistan due to its location in the area of Zahedan Kohne. And the results of the study conducted on its pottery also informs about the technique of making high quality pottery in the Islamic era, in the north of Sistan plain. The results of the studies also clearly show the cultural connection of this region with the Baluchistan basins of Iran and Afghanistan, Greater Khorasan, Kerman, Central Plateau and parts of Central Asia. The present study intends to provide a ground for illuminating a part of the Islamic era of Sistan by conducting a scientific and methodical study.
Reza Mehr Afarin, Zahir Vasegh-E Abbasi,
year 1, Issue 1 (12-2017)
year 1, Issue 1 (12-2017)
Abstract
Abstract
Sistan is a plain land in east of Iran and today an extensive part of it is located in Afghanistan. In Parthian period, the region was an important natural, economic and religious zone and the homestead of one of the greatest Parthian families, Soren Pahlav. In Sassanid period, Sistan was called Sakestan and due to its special region, it was ruled by the Sassanian prince Sakan shah who ruled upon vast Koost of Nimrooz. Sassanians not only centralized the political power but also they used Zoroastrianism as the official religion of the country and severely defended it so that state and religion became two inseparable brothers which support and uphold each other. At the commence of the new period, Sistan was attended by the Sassanian monarchies because of the new religious basements of it. In the few texts remained of Sassanid period Sistan is introduced as a very significant region. In Khorde Avesta, Atashbahram, in the twentieth paragraph, after three magnificent fires, fire of Karkooy is alluded (Doostkhah, 1375: 607). In Bondahesh also fire of Karkooy is mentioned related to the three magnificent fires (Faranbaghdadegi, 1369). In Islamic narratives Karkooyeh is known as a private temple of Garshasb and the author of “The History of Sistan” writes: Zoroastrians know it as a holy place and believe that Garshasb left his divine spirit there and made it a holy place by it.
Keywords: Sistan, Zoroastrianism, Fire Temple, Karkooy, Ancient relics
Introduction
The remnants of Karkooyeh or Karkooshah fire temple is twenty kilometers in west-north of Zaranj and in the left of it there is a branch of Hirmand river near Miyankangi region. This ancient building is interrelated to the culture and history of the region and the identity of it is still remained firm. The people of the region know Karkooyeh fire temple very well and narrate lots of tales about it.
Some of European scholars and counselors like colonel Yeat in 1894 have visited this place. Sir Percy Siecs in 1899 considered this place as the capital and the main temple of Kiyaniyan and in 1905 Georg Peter Tit, the topographer of Gold Smith team studied the detailed architectural features of it.
The geographers of the first decades of the Islamic period considered Karkoo a noteworthyregion and Ibne Khordadiyeh in third century H.gh counted it as a county of Sistan. Before the occupation of Sistan by Arabs, Karkooy and Targhoon fire temples were extensively important temples. Arabs stifled the temples and suffocated the holy fires. Most probably the Muslim Arabs neglected the little temples and suffocated the great and important ones to evince the predominance of Islam (Tit, 1362: 122).
Among the geographers the most amount of information was presented by Simaye-Karkooyeh, Zakariya Mohammad Ibne Ghazvini who lived in seventh century the AH. But it is not clear whether he describes the structure as it is in his age or he narrates it from what he heard from the ancestors: “Karkooyeh is an old city of Sajestan. There are two domes in it. The people believe that they belong to the age of Rostam and at the top of them there are two curved horns like the ones of a thorn. They are the wonder of the land from the age of Rostam. Under the domes there are two temples for Magians. It seems that they put up somewhere as a temple near their houses and the fire never suffocates there. And there are servants for these temples who kindle the fire by turn and sit up far from it while covering their noses and mouths and silver tongs in their hands put wood in fire and before it subside put another one in it and this is the biggest temple for magians.”(Ghazvini, 1371: 321)
According to the local studies, some cultural materials like tiles were obtained from this region to estimate the history and record of establishment in this ancient and religious land. After the typology tests and sorting them, they were studied by comparison. It shows that Tepe Karkoo was established from the Parthian period and it went on till eighth century AH (Musavi Haji, Mehrafarin, 1386: v.3). There is nothing remained of the Sassanid fire temple but from the structure of this period (the main building of the temple) some parts of a brick wall is visible; the other parts of it are under ground and the remnants of the Islamic period. Detailed study of it and drawing the outline of the plan of the fire temple is possible only through later archeological excavations.
Conclusion
Natural factors like wind, rain, severe sunshine, flood and especially human beings always had a destructive effect upon the structure.
Illegal excavations are a main reason for the destruction of the establishment. These excavations which are done by smugglers and predators of the cultural legacy cause severe destruction of the temple.
Deep roots of Zoroastrianism in this region, wealth and strong settlement of it, the strategic situation and presence of the prince, caused the establishment of such a huge and important fire temple in this region. According to the texts and books of the historians and geographers of the first decades of the Islamic period it seems that Karkooy village of today is the same Karkooy (Sassanid holy fire temple) which is mentioned in Khorde Avesta and Bondahesh and the town which is talked about in the books of Ibne Hoghal, Maghdasi, Estakhri and Hamdollah Mostofi and was alluded to lots of time in the historical texts.
Sistan is a plain land in east of Iran and today an extensive part of it is located in Afghanistan. In Parthian period, the region was an important natural, economic and religious zone and the homestead of one of the greatest Parthian families, Soren Pahlav. In Sassanid period, Sistan was called Sakestan and due to its special region, it was ruled by the Sassanian prince Sakan shah who ruled upon vast Koost of Nimrooz. Sassanians not only centralized the political power but also they used Zoroastrianism as the official religion of the country and severely defended it so that state and religion became two inseparable brothers which support and uphold each other. At the commence of the new period, Sistan was attended by the Sassanian monarchies because of the new religious basements of it. In the few texts remained of Sassanid period Sistan is introduced as a very significant region. In Khorde Avesta, Atashbahram, in the twentieth paragraph, after three magnificent fires, fire of Karkooy is alluded (Doostkhah, 1375: 607). In Bondahesh also fire of Karkooy is mentioned related to the three magnificent fires (Faranbaghdadegi, 1369). In Islamic narratives Karkooyeh is known as a private temple of Garshasb and the author of “The History of Sistan” writes: Zoroastrians know it as a holy place and believe that Garshasb left his divine spirit there and made it a holy place by it.
Keywords: Sistan, Zoroastrianism, Fire Temple, Karkooy, Ancient relics
Introduction
The remnants of Karkooyeh or Karkooshah fire temple is twenty kilometers in west-north of Zaranj and in the left of it there is a branch of Hirmand river near Miyankangi region. This ancient building is interrelated to the culture and history of the region and the identity of it is still remained firm. The people of the region know Karkooyeh fire temple very well and narrate lots of tales about it.
Some of European scholars and counselors like colonel Yeat in 1894 have visited this place. Sir Percy Siecs in 1899 considered this place as the capital and the main temple of Kiyaniyan and in 1905 Georg Peter Tit, the topographer of Gold Smith team studied the detailed architectural features of it.
The geographers of the first decades of the Islamic period considered Karkoo a noteworthyregion and Ibne Khordadiyeh in third century H.gh counted it as a county of Sistan. Before the occupation of Sistan by Arabs, Karkooy and Targhoon fire temples were extensively important temples. Arabs stifled the temples and suffocated the holy fires. Most probably the Muslim Arabs neglected the little temples and suffocated the great and important ones to evince the predominance of Islam (Tit, 1362: 122).
Among the geographers the most amount of information was presented by Simaye-Karkooyeh, Zakariya Mohammad Ibne Ghazvini who lived in seventh century the AH. But it is not clear whether he describes the structure as it is in his age or he narrates it from what he heard from the ancestors: “Karkooyeh is an old city of Sajestan. There are two domes in it. The people believe that they belong to the age of Rostam and at the top of them there are two curved horns like the ones of a thorn. They are the wonder of the land from the age of Rostam. Under the domes there are two temples for Magians. It seems that they put up somewhere as a temple near their houses and the fire never suffocates there. And there are servants for these temples who kindle the fire by turn and sit up far from it while covering their noses and mouths and silver tongs in their hands put wood in fire and before it subside put another one in it and this is the biggest temple for magians.”(Ghazvini, 1371: 321)
According to the local studies, some cultural materials like tiles were obtained from this region to estimate the history and record of establishment in this ancient and religious land. After the typology tests and sorting them, they were studied by comparison. It shows that Tepe Karkoo was established from the Parthian period and it went on till eighth century AH (Musavi Haji, Mehrafarin, 1386: v.3). There is nothing remained of the Sassanid fire temple but from the structure of this period (the main building of the temple) some parts of a brick wall is visible; the other parts of it are under ground and the remnants of the Islamic period. Detailed study of it and drawing the outline of the plan of the fire temple is possible only through later archeological excavations.
Conclusion
Natural factors like wind, rain, severe sunshine, flood and especially human beings always had a destructive effect upon the structure.
Illegal excavations are a main reason for the destruction of the establishment. These excavations which are done by smugglers and predators of the cultural legacy cause severe destruction of the temple.
Deep roots of Zoroastrianism in this region, wealth and strong settlement of it, the strategic situation and presence of the prince, caused the establishment of such a huge and important fire temple in this region. According to the texts and books of the historians and geographers of the first decades of the Islamic period it seems that Karkooy village of today is the same Karkooy (Sassanid holy fire temple) which is mentioned in Khorde Avesta and Bondahesh and the town which is talked about in the books of Ibne Hoghal, Maghdasi, Estakhri and Hamdollah Mostofi and was alluded to lots of time in the historical texts.
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.
Davoud Mirzaei,
year 8, Issue 29 (12-2024)
year 8, Issue 29 (12-2024)
Abstract
Abstract
The concept of “manifestation” (Tajalli) is one of the fundamental concepts of Islamic wisdom and mysticism, which has its roots in the Holy Qur’an and the traditions of the innocents (peace be upon them), and from this passage, it enters the tasteful language of Muslim mystics, especially Ibn Arabi, pay special attention to it. they do. With this description, since the issue of manifestation in art finds a special place in mystical discussions and since one of the basic principles of the art of calligraphy is indeed “refinement” (Sh’an) and until the rust is not removed from the heart and refinement is not achieved, an image in it will not be manifested; Therefore, it seems that through the expression of this concept of manifestation, a close bond is established between mysticism and calligraphy. Based on this, the current research has tried to answer these two questions: 1. What is manifestation and what is its place in our sacred and mystical texts? 2. What is the relationship between manifestation and the theoretical foundations of Islamic calligraphy, especially “refinement” and “dignity” (Safā)? In order to reach a clear answer to these two questions and to establish a bridge between mysticism and Islamic calligraphy and to find the mystical dignity of “manifestation” in it, therefore, first the meaning of manifestation in religious sources such as verses and narrations was discussed and then in mystical texts (according to Ibn Arabi and mystics before him) has understood its meaning. In the following, the category of sanctity in calligraphy is discussed and based on the twelve principles governing it (according to the text of Babashah Isfahani’s Adab al-Mashq), the connection of “manifestation” with “refinement” and “dignity” in Islamic calligraphy and its relationship with its beauty (Hosn) is examined.
Keywords: Manifestation; Principles of Refinement and Dignity, Islamic Calligraphy.
Introduction
The fact is that there are not many sources about the wisdom of the origin of calligraphy and the investigation of its intellectual foundations among different Islamic nations. Therefore, there is no escaping the issue of having an opinion on the intellectual foundations of some Islamic sages and thinkers, although of course they have not directly addressed this specific issue and their talk has always been art in general. But what stands out more than anything else in the study of the wisdom of Islamic art is its wealth of terms such as intuition, presence, manifestation, imagination, discovery, dignity, love, etc. These terms find a special place among great people such as Suhrawardi, Ibn Arabi, Mulla Sadra and others. Meanwhile, the issue of “manifestation” in art has a special place in his mystical discussions. Therefore, it seems that since one of the very important principles of calligraphy (among its twelve principles) is indeed “dignity” - and a special meaning is meant by it and it is the foundation of the next stage, namely “dignity” - there is an inseparable relationship between mysticism and Calligraphy is in place. Therefore, the main preoccupation of this article is to find convincing documents and proofs related to the keyword “manifestation”, both in sacred and mystical texts and in texts related to calligraphy, to prove the mentioned claim. Based on this, the present research pursues two specific questions: 1. What is manifestation and what is its place in our sacred and mystical texts? 2. What is the relationship between manifestation and the theoretical foundations of Islamic calligraphy, especially refinement and dignity?
Discussion
Holiness has a long history in Islamic calligraphy. Undoubtedly, calligraphy has taken its sanctity from the Qur’an, which, as the first and most glorious Islamic art, has actually been the closest companion to the Word of Revelation. References in the Holy Qur’an such as “Nun. By the Pen and the [Record] which [men] write” (Qalam, 1) and the use of words such as tablet, pen, chair, line, cut letters, etc. also confirm this sanctity. Calligraphers in this position, knowing this sanctity, pay attention to the beauty of their handwriting so that the truth hidden in words is not hidden in the image form of calligraphy and is revealed in the best way. Calligraphic writing is not the same as calligraphy, but it implies a meaning, and the external role is to express a hidden role. Rumi has mentioned this in this regard: “No calligrapher writes line by technic/ The same line is not readable” (Rumi, 2013: Book 4). On the other hand, the wisdom of Islamic art, with its mystical base, is full of terms such as intuition, presence, manifestation, imagination, discovery, dignity, love, etc., which cannot be expressed and interpreted except with the language of judgment, and the audience as well. If he is not familiar with this language, he will not be able to understand it. With this description and according to the opinions of Islamic mystics - the most important of which was given in the first part of this research - the manifestations of holiness in the lives of Muslims are revealed. By generalizing his opinions to the field of religious art, Islamic art and sacred art, we can find the mysteries in Islamic calligraphy. The juxtaposition of the old popular myths with the opinions of Islamic thinkers, symbols, codes and its influence on Sufi intellectuals and popular culture, all lead to the discovery of relationships that show the sanctity in this art more than ever before.
Conclusion
The current research has clearly sought answers to two questions: 1. What is manifestation and what is its place in our sacred and mystical texts? 2. What is the relationship between manifestation and the theoretical foundations of Islamic calligraphy, especially dignity and dignity? In order to reach a clear answer to these two questions and establish a bridge between mysticism and Islamic calligraphy and find the mystical dignity of “manifestation” in it, the meaning of manifestation in religious sources such as verses and hadiths was first discussed. We saw that in this regard, this concept occurs in the most obvious way possible in the noble verse 143 of A’rāf, which is known as “the manifestation verse”. With this meaning, it is from manifestation that the divine names and attributes appear in the world and explain the nature of God’s relationship with his creatures. In addition to the Qur’anic verses, in many Islamic traditions, relying on those verses, especially “the manifestation verse,” God’s relationship with creation is mentioned, especially in sermons 108 and 147 of Nahj al-Balagha, where God manifests himself to his creatures, without them seeing him. And this is where the difference between manifestation and incarnation in Christianity is established. In addition to verses and traditions, this concept finds a special place in mystical texts, especially Ibn Arabi, which is one of the pillars of answering the above questions. Of course, with the mystics before Ibn Arabi (such as Hasan Basri, Rozbahan Baqli, Bayazid Bastami and others), manifestation has an intuitive meaning, meaning that the seeker goes through the states and mystical Authorities one by one with the intuition of the actions, attributes and nature of the Supreme Being. According to Ibn Arabi, a metaphysical (existential) meaning is also meant by it, which explains the system of existence and the way of connecting truth and creation and the connection of the world of multitudes with the absolute unity of truth. While discussing this concept, Ibn Arabi discusses the heart, which is the bearer of divine manifestations, and maintaining its dignity is the duty of the seeker, so that the heart does not have dignity, and the names and attributes of the Most High do not manifest on it. The existential meaning of manifestation according to Ibn Arabi is that for the appearance of different levels of beings, the existence of the absolute one must be determined through manifestation. In the manifestation of absolute existence, the general image of single existences emerges, which he interprets as “Khams”. These gentlemen are the bearers of God’s manifestation, and according to that, the world of the kingdom is the manifestation of the world of the kingdom; The world of the kingdom is the manifestation of the world of strength; The world of strength is the embodiment of the world of nobles; The world of nobles is the manifestation of the divine names (Vāhediat) and the unity is the manifestation of unity. Thus, man has the ability to be the embodiment and full-view mirror of the existence of truth and manifest his truth in the mirror of the human heart. It is from here that we can enter into the discussion of Islamic calligraphy and its connection with manifestation. Apart from the issue of sanctity of calligraphy in Islamic culture, which on the one hand is based on its connection with the writing of the Qur’an and on the other hand, from some Qur’anic verses, referring to texts such as Adab al-Mashq by Babashah Esfahani, in which he enumerates twelve principles for good calligraphy, the eleventh principle It, i.e. “refinement” clearly has a mystical element and is derived from the eternal quality of the human heart according to the likes of Ibn Arabi, to the extent that it manifests itself in the rusted mirror of the human heart. Therefore, “dignity” with all its mystical meanings in the basic form of the principles of calligraphy and is described as a stage that polishes and refines the heart to manifest or reflect the goodness of God, and the sincerity of the word is to say Sultan Ali Mashhadi: “The dignity of the line is the result of the dignity of the heart”.
The concept of “manifestation” (Tajalli) is one of the fundamental concepts of Islamic wisdom and mysticism, which has its roots in the Holy Qur’an and the traditions of the innocents (peace be upon them), and from this passage, it enters the tasteful language of Muslim mystics, especially Ibn Arabi, pay special attention to it. they do. With this description, since the issue of manifestation in art finds a special place in mystical discussions and since one of the basic principles of the art of calligraphy is indeed “refinement” (Sh’an) and until the rust is not removed from the heart and refinement is not achieved, an image in it will not be manifested; Therefore, it seems that through the expression of this concept of manifestation, a close bond is established between mysticism and calligraphy. Based on this, the current research has tried to answer these two questions: 1. What is manifestation and what is its place in our sacred and mystical texts? 2. What is the relationship between manifestation and the theoretical foundations of Islamic calligraphy, especially “refinement” and “dignity” (Safā)? In order to reach a clear answer to these two questions and to establish a bridge between mysticism and Islamic calligraphy and to find the mystical dignity of “manifestation” in it, therefore, first the meaning of manifestation in religious sources such as verses and narrations was discussed and then in mystical texts (according to Ibn Arabi and mystics before him) has understood its meaning. In the following, the category of sanctity in calligraphy is discussed and based on the twelve principles governing it (according to the text of Babashah Isfahani’s Adab al-Mashq), the connection of “manifestation” with “refinement” and “dignity” in Islamic calligraphy and its relationship with its beauty (Hosn) is examined.
Keywords: Manifestation; Principles of Refinement and Dignity, Islamic Calligraphy.
Introduction
The fact is that there are not many sources about the wisdom of the origin of calligraphy and the investigation of its intellectual foundations among different Islamic nations. Therefore, there is no escaping the issue of having an opinion on the intellectual foundations of some Islamic sages and thinkers, although of course they have not directly addressed this specific issue and their talk has always been art in general. But what stands out more than anything else in the study of the wisdom of Islamic art is its wealth of terms such as intuition, presence, manifestation, imagination, discovery, dignity, love, etc. These terms find a special place among great people such as Suhrawardi, Ibn Arabi, Mulla Sadra and others. Meanwhile, the issue of “manifestation” in art has a special place in his mystical discussions. Therefore, it seems that since one of the very important principles of calligraphy (among its twelve principles) is indeed “dignity” - and a special meaning is meant by it and it is the foundation of the next stage, namely “dignity” - there is an inseparable relationship between mysticism and Calligraphy is in place. Therefore, the main preoccupation of this article is to find convincing documents and proofs related to the keyword “manifestation”, both in sacred and mystical texts and in texts related to calligraphy, to prove the mentioned claim. Based on this, the present research pursues two specific questions: 1. What is manifestation and what is its place in our sacred and mystical texts? 2. What is the relationship between manifestation and the theoretical foundations of Islamic calligraphy, especially refinement and dignity?
Discussion
Holiness has a long history in Islamic calligraphy. Undoubtedly, calligraphy has taken its sanctity from the Qur’an, which, as the first and most glorious Islamic art, has actually been the closest companion to the Word of Revelation. References in the Holy Qur’an such as “Nun. By the Pen and the [Record] which [men] write” (Qalam, 1) and the use of words such as tablet, pen, chair, line, cut letters, etc. also confirm this sanctity. Calligraphers in this position, knowing this sanctity, pay attention to the beauty of their handwriting so that the truth hidden in words is not hidden in the image form of calligraphy and is revealed in the best way. Calligraphic writing is not the same as calligraphy, but it implies a meaning, and the external role is to express a hidden role. Rumi has mentioned this in this regard: “No calligrapher writes line by technic/ The same line is not readable” (Rumi, 2013: Book 4). On the other hand, the wisdom of Islamic art, with its mystical base, is full of terms such as intuition, presence, manifestation, imagination, discovery, dignity, love, etc., which cannot be expressed and interpreted except with the language of judgment, and the audience as well. If he is not familiar with this language, he will not be able to understand it. With this description and according to the opinions of Islamic mystics - the most important of which was given in the first part of this research - the manifestations of holiness in the lives of Muslims are revealed. By generalizing his opinions to the field of religious art, Islamic art and sacred art, we can find the mysteries in Islamic calligraphy. The juxtaposition of the old popular myths with the opinions of Islamic thinkers, symbols, codes and its influence on Sufi intellectuals and popular culture, all lead to the discovery of relationships that show the sanctity in this art more than ever before.
Conclusion
The current research has clearly sought answers to two questions: 1. What is manifestation and what is its place in our sacred and mystical texts? 2. What is the relationship between manifestation and the theoretical foundations of Islamic calligraphy, especially dignity and dignity? In order to reach a clear answer to these two questions and establish a bridge between mysticism and Islamic calligraphy and find the mystical dignity of “manifestation” in it, the meaning of manifestation in religious sources such as verses and hadiths was first discussed. We saw that in this regard, this concept occurs in the most obvious way possible in the noble verse 143 of A’rāf, which is known as “the manifestation verse”. With this meaning, it is from manifestation that the divine names and attributes appear in the world and explain the nature of God’s relationship with his creatures. In addition to the Qur’anic verses, in many Islamic traditions, relying on those verses, especially “the manifestation verse,” God’s relationship with creation is mentioned, especially in sermons 108 and 147 of Nahj al-Balagha, where God manifests himself to his creatures, without them seeing him. And this is where the difference between manifestation and incarnation in Christianity is established. In addition to verses and traditions, this concept finds a special place in mystical texts, especially Ibn Arabi, which is one of the pillars of answering the above questions. Of course, with the mystics before Ibn Arabi (such as Hasan Basri, Rozbahan Baqli, Bayazid Bastami and others), manifestation has an intuitive meaning, meaning that the seeker goes through the states and mystical Authorities one by one with the intuition of the actions, attributes and nature of the Supreme Being. According to Ibn Arabi, a metaphysical (existential) meaning is also meant by it, which explains the system of existence and the way of connecting truth and creation and the connection of the world of multitudes with the absolute unity of truth. While discussing this concept, Ibn Arabi discusses the heart, which is the bearer of divine manifestations, and maintaining its dignity is the duty of the seeker, so that the heart does not have dignity, and the names and attributes of the Most High do not manifest on it. The existential meaning of manifestation according to Ibn Arabi is that for the appearance of different levels of beings, the existence of the absolute one must be determined through manifestation. In the manifestation of absolute existence, the general image of single existences emerges, which he interprets as “Khams”. These gentlemen are the bearers of God’s manifestation, and according to that, the world of the kingdom is the manifestation of the world of the kingdom; The world of the kingdom is the manifestation of the world of strength; The world of strength is the embodiment of the world of nobles; The world of nobles is the manifestation of the divine names (Vāhediat) and the unity is the manifestation of unity. Thus, man has the ability to be the embodiment and full-view mirror of the existence of truth and manifest his truth in the mirror of the human heart. It is from here that we can enter into the discussion of Islamic calligraphy and its connection with manifestation. Apart from the issue of sanctity of calligraphy in Islamic culture, which on the one hand is based on its connection with the writing of the Qur’an and on the other hand, from some Qur’anic verses, referring to texts such as Adab al-Mashq by Babashah Esfahani, in which he enumerates twelve principles for good calligraphy, the eleventh principle It, i.e. “refinement” clearly has a mystical element and is derived from the eternal quality of the human heart according to the likes of Ibn Arabi, to the extent that it manifests itself in the rusted mirror of the human heart. Therefore, “dignity” with all its mystical meanings in the basic form of the principles of calligraphy and is described as a stage that polishes and refines the heart to manifest or reflect the goodness of God, and the sincerity of the word is to say Sultan Ali Mashhadi: “The dignity of the line is the result of the dignity of the heart”.
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