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This article is devoted to the identification and preliminary archaeological research of Kasongo-Tongoni, an important caravan settlement located in the east of Central Africa to the west of Lake Tanganyika. Along with Kabambare and Nyangwe, this site was one of the main trading centres on the central caravan route linking the interior of Central Africa to the coast of East Africa during the second half of the nineteenth century. We discuss the current location and extent of the site, using archival data, oral testimony and aerial and satellite imagery. Finally, we present a preliminary field study and the results of a photogrammetric drone survey of what has been identified as the centre of the town. This research confirms the town's location and offers a first assessment of its spatial organisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Archaeological investigations in the rural settlements of the Po Valley in the Piedmont region of Northern Italy, particularly in the Monferrato area, have revealed a wide range of structures dating from the Roman to the Early Medieval periods. This rural architecture is of great heritage value, as it provides insights into the historical development of Piedmont. This paper focuses on the analysis of lime, one of the oldest and most important building materials, used as binder of bedding mortars of three archaeological rural buildings sites dating from the Early Roman imperial Period to the Late Antique phases of medieval fortified centers of Piedmont region. A low-cost and efficient diagnostic geochemical-based method based on the characterization of two oxides present in the lime of mortars and in carbonate rocks of the area (MgO and CaO) is presented. Exploited limestone quarries exploited often have a fairly constant chemical composition and therefore a typical geological Mg/Ca ratio. The variation in this ratio is useful for the relative dating of building walls and for identifying of geological formations and quarries possibly used during the different architectural phases. This paper focuses on this second objective: the study of potential supply areas across the ages related to the ancient communication routes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of History / Habaršy Tarihi Seriâsy is the property of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper presents excerpts from the activities undertaken by archaeologists associated with Upper Silesia, carried out at the Silesian Scientific Institute in Katowice. This institution existed for 35 years (1957-1992), during which time two archaeological commissions operated within its structures. The first was active between 1957 and 1972, the other between 1984 and 1988. This text provides an overview of the conditions surrounding the creation of both bodies, primarily based on the surviving archival material from the Silesian Scientific Institute. It focuses on the scientific activities of researchers studying past cultures and civilizations conducted under the Institute's auspices, as well as the unique aspects of archaeological research in the Polish People's Republic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Studia Academica Šumenensia is the property of Konstantin Preslavsky University of Shumen and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Archaeologists deploy a variety of models and theories, often tailored to specific questions or situations, in making sense of the material record we study. The concept of the community of practice, originally developed in the context of modern work and learning situations, describes among other things how participation in shared activities can create and shape social relationships. It therefore offers a powerful and flexible framework for the many archaeological research agendas in which group dynamics play a role. Some archaeologists have already begun to use the community of practice approach (CoP) as an interpretive framework, and this essay argues that a wider embrace would be a benefit to individual archaeologists and to the field as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the supposed presence of chocolate in Cahokia, exploring the evidence of Theobromide residue in ancient pottery and its implications for cultural connections with Mesoamerica. Topics include the initial excitement over the discovery, subsequent skepticism from scientific analyses, and the ongoing debate surrounding the existence of North American chocolate consumption.

Copyright of Turkic Studies Journal is the property of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of History / Habaršy Tarihi Seriâsy is the property of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this article we present a set of murine vascular representations from contrada Santa Anastasia (Randazzo, Sicily), dated to the 5th century BC. We offer a full archaeological contextualisation for these items, and we discuss a potential link with the role of epidemics in the past through a combination of historico-medical, palaeopathological and infectivological arguments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A review of the subject in Ecuador and a new case is reported for this country. A comparison is made of the cases found in Ecuador with others of the E4 and E5 types in Mesoamerica in times close to Classic Period. The origin of this cultural practice in the region is discussed and it is concluded as a result of contacts with groups from the near Atlantic and Pacific coasts in earlier times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seismic shaking observed around Delhi and the surrounding region due to near-field and far-field earthquakes is a matter of concern for the seismic safety of the national capital of India, as well as the historical monuments of the region. Historical seismicity indicates that the Delhi region has been affected by several damaging earthquakes originating from the Himalayan region as far-field events, as well as due to near-field earthquakes with epicenters close to Delhi. The historical records, along with recent archeoseismological studies, suggest that Qutab Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was damaged by the earthquake of 1803 CE. This event represents the only evidence of seismic damage from the region, as there has been no detailed study of other historical monuments in the area or earthquakes that have caused damage. In this context, the earthquake damage to other monuments might have been overlooked to some extent around the Qutab Minar due to the lack of proper earthquake damage surveys and documentation in historical times. The main goal of this study is to identify evidence of earthquake archeological effects around the Qutab Minar and to shed new light on the occurrence and characteristics of ancient earthquakes while providing data to inform seismic risk assessment programs. With this aim, we describe different earthquake-related damage (EAE, earthquake archeological effects) at the Isa Khan Tomb and Humayun's Tomb, built between 1548 CE and 1570 CE, respectively, as well as the older Tomb of Iltutmish (built in 1235 CE) along with the Qutab Minar, which was built between 1199 CE and 1220 CE. The damage was probably caused by seismic events with intensities between VIII and IX on the European Macroseismic Scale (EMS). Based on the methodology of paleo ShakeMaps, it is most likely that the 1803 CE earthquake was the causative earthquake for the observed deformation in the Isa Khan Tomb, Tomb of Iltutmish, and Humayun's Tomb. More detailed regional paleoseismological studies are required to identify the responsible fault. In conclusion, the impressive cultural heritage of Delhi city and the intraplate region is constantly under seismic threats from near-field earthquakes and far-field Himalayan earthquakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reflects on the status of conservation and management of the cultural heritage of the Mafia archipelago, Tanzania, by examining six sites: the stone town sites of Kisimani Mafia and Kua, Ukunju Cave, Mwamba Ukuta, Chole Island ruins, and Bwejuu Island. These sites constitute a rich archaeological record, extending from ancient time through the medieval to the recent past. Mafia's rich cultural heritage has attracted multiple phases of archaeological research since the mid-1950s. Despite being well known, the archipelago's heritage places face serious conservation and management challenges of both natural and anthropogenic origins. Natural challenges include severe wave erosion, while anthropogenic ones include looting and relentless pressure from development projects. We propose specific recommendations for addressing these challenges, underpinning the need to develop sustainable heritage tourism that will stimulate community heritage awareness and promote conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reductions in the cost of transporting manufactured goods have been an important element in economic development in the recent past, and previous research suggests that the Roman period in Britain also saw substantial reductions in such costs. The authors investigate how far it is possible to measure changes in transport costs by considering the spatial distributions of pottery from known Roman production locations over time. Their analysis of an extensive database of pottery assemblages is designed to evaluate a series of expectations concerning how reductions in transport costs may have affected such assemblages and their distribution. Results suggest that costs were reduced by a factor of about two, leading to related changes in pottery production, distribution, and consumption over time. The ability to quantify changes in transport costs opens new perspectives for investigating the general determinants of economic development using archaeological data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2016, a rescue excavation at the Jičín Natural Sciences Centre and Observatory uncovered a mass grave containing multiple commingled individuals buried in several layers. Zinc buttons and clothing remnants possibly related to eighteenth–nineteenth-century military uniforms found in the grave suggest that these individuals were soldiers. During this period, the Jičín region experienced numerous battles and was the location of several military barracks, hospitals, and transport routes, in addition to supporting civilian populations. To contextualize this burial site, bioarchaeological analyses including assessments of age-at-death, sex, and stature, and recording the presence of injury or medical intervention were conducted. A high frequency of young adult males suggests that the grave was related to military activity. The presence of infants, limited evidence of perimortem trauma, and absence of signs of medical treatment could indicate that this mass grave was related to military encampments rather than battlefield contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many areas of the world, archaeological research relies on workers without formal training in archaeology or apparent direct input into archaeological knowledge production. While these workers may appear to have little agency within the excavation process, and no direct participation in research outcomes, their role is more complex. Examples of local and international archaeological teams working in Türkiye in the mid-twentieth century and today are used here to explore the articulation of worker roles in field archaeology, as portrayed in field reports. The author assesses the language associated with team members in acknowledgements of their presence and status and examines how relationships are developed and maintained. Awareness of knowledge accumulation among local archaeological workers was articulated in the 1960s and proved advantageous to both workers and directors. Recent reports show little acknowledgement of worker presence, showing that multivocality has had no significant impact in this area of archaeological knowledge production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Archaeological research at the Sungai Batu Archaeological Complex (SBAC), which has been carried out until 2023, aims to complete the chronological data and urbanization process of the ancient Kedah. This study will especially prove that the ongoing urbanization process is aimed at developing the iron smelting industry and trade in ancient Kedah, especially in SBAC. This is because archaeological research at SBAC has proven that with the existence of the ancient Kedah iron smelting workshop at SBAC, river jetties, port management, rituals, and Buddhist monuments began to be erected, all of which can be determined by chronometric dating. The results of the chronometric dating have proven that the ancient Kedah Kingdom existed since the 6th century BC and was oriented towards the trade of iron resources, which allowed the use of the area to grow rapidly. The process of urbanization and land use clearly conforms to Lynch's principle, which emphasizes the principles of 1) paths, 2) edges, 3) districts, 4) nodes, and 5) landmarks in the development process of land use and urbanization in the complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses using three-dimensional (3D) models in archaeological research and their combination for four-dimensional (4D) visualisation. The acquisition of 3D models during an archaeological excavation provides high-accuracy records of sites, entire find situations, and individual archaeological features or finds, allowing for their further exploration, study, and analysis at any time. When combined with GIS, 3D models can allow spatial and volumetric analyses, revealing site formation processes. With time as an additional dimension, their combination can also allow site reconstruction and spatio-temporal analysis, providing a perspective on the diachronic evolution of the site. Such use, in the sense of 4D visualisation, can markedly enhance the interpretation of archaeological data. The case study focuses on the multi-layered Upper Paleolithic site of Milovice IV in the Pavlov Hills region of South Moravia, Czech Republic, where 3D data recording was incorporated into the excavation processes. The paper evaluates the effectiveness of 4D mosaics delivered by merging separate 3D models. It turns out that 4D site-scale mosaics, obtained by merging separate models, encounter certain obstacles and are unsuitable for detailed visualisation and interpretation. Conversely, small-(excavation squares)-scale 4D mosaics can more vividly demonstrate the diachronic development of a site, the spatio-temporal relationships between artefacts, and the fieldwork workflow. It is also apparent that the 2D presentation of 4D models has limitations, and thus, other forms of presentation, kept within the virtual space, could better utilise all the benefits of spatiotemporal visualisations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides an overview of the published archaeological, geological, anthropological, and paleontological research that has been undertaken at Švédův stůl Cave at Ochoz u Brna in the southern part of the Moravian Karst. Most of these excavations took place from the end of the 19th century to the present and have already been described in the literature; however, to date, there has been no comprehensive review for an English-speaking audience. The authors focus on the excavations of Bohuslav Klíma between 1953–1955 and the discovery of a Neanderthal’s mandible by the student Karl Kubasek in 1905, and the circumstances under which this find entered the collections of the Moravian Museum in Brno. The article also includes, for the first time ever, photographs from the Bohuslav Klíma archive documenting his excavations in the cave in the 1950s. This documentation was also used to place the test pits excavated in front of the cave in 2019 by an international research team in the spatial framework of Klíma’s excavations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Studia Archaeologica Brunensia is the property of Masaryk University, Faculty of Arts and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper presents aspects related to the early medieval settlement within the small enclosure of the fortress at Hârșova (Constanța County, Romania). The small enclosure represents the fortification built on the right bank of the Danube after 971 AD, following the reintegration of Dobrudja under the administration of the Byzantine Empire, with the role of protecting the territory and the new frontiers. Probably, in Hârșova, the construction of a new enclosure was determined by its location at the point where the Danube meets the Borcea branch, near the Ialomița Lake, next to the most important crossing point from Dobrudja to Muntenia. From the old Roman fort of Carsium, the new enclosure occupied only a small area on a rocky plateau, which provided it with a naturally fortified, dominant position and the ability to oversee a large distance. Its small size, compared to the late Roman and medieval fortresses, earned it the name "small enclosure". Archaeological research has revealed that the Byzantine enclosure has its walls and the tower on the north side built on rock, and that for their construction, ground preparation was done, consisting of leveling, in the second half of the 10th century. The early medieval settlement at Hârșova citadel dates from after 971 AD and continues until the end of the 11th century. The focus of this work is on the results of archaeological research from 2007-2012, which remained mostly unpublished. These findings come from the SIA section located within the small enclosure. Alongside information regarding daily life, these findings have revealed that trade played a significant role in the development of the settlement. Artifacts originating from workshops in the northern Black Sea region (glazed clay eggs, jasper spindle whorls) or from centers near Constantinople and the Balkan Peninsula (amphorae, micaceous ceramic, bronze objects) have been discovered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revue Académique des Études Sociales et Humaines is the property of Hassif Benbouali University of Chlef and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The Early Iron Age site in Bánovce nad Bebravou, Biskupice-Keblov II (western Slovakia) was excavated by Archaeological Agency in 2014. During the excavation, there was found a feature connected with spinning and weaving - one of the important activities of Early Iron Age people, which penetrated to various spheres of life. This paper concerns short evaluation of the site with spatial analyses and reconstruction of the so-called workshop feature and its respective activities. The spatial analysis is evaluated by applying virtual space. The procedure is based on 3D reconstruction of individual features and creating of possible solutions in relation to original record. Part of this procedure was based on abstract visualization from archaeological record and second part used data from 3D photogrammetry. Results includes among visualization and space distribution of individual features, possible interior proportion and hut structure which could be used in this case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of the study of the burial of the Zrubna/Timber-Grave entity (Late Bronze Age) from the mound near the village of Komyshuvate in the North Azov Area in the south of Donetsk Region of Ukraine. The article deals with issues related to some peculiarities of the material and spiritual culture of the ancient population of the Azov steppes, their social organization and funeral rites. Wooden utensils are a fairly rare category of funeral implements of the Bronze Age in Eastern Europe, which are fixed in the tombs by metallic elements. The analysis of the remains of a wooden vessel studied in the burial allowed us to make some observations on the technology of manufacturing this category of funerary equipment. This allowed us to approach the problem of social reconstruction. The presence of a wooden bowl with a metal figured enclosure in the burial is considered by the authors as a status sign marking the persons involved in ritual activities. The purpose and use of the application-decorated bowls had more than regular domestic significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bronze Age hoards have been a prominent feature of archaeological research for over one hundred years and as such a topic of different interpretations. Focus has been and is often put on the question whether profane or cultic reasons and intentions should be seen behind the depositions. This paper aims to show that the hoarding practice can also clearly be seen as a form of risk management and an expression of coping with risks, whether those are encountered on an everyday level or as selective actual threats. The range of potential risks spans from maybe predominantly "economic" to also significantly "metaphysical" ones. The paper touches on the role of bronze as a valuable material and a significant form of property. While the raw metal could be remelted and used for many purposes, artefacts in object form carried an individual and symbolic value and meaning. This paper is based on the preliminary analysis of the Late Bronze Age/Urnfield hoards Attersee I-IV excavated at Buchberg im Attergau in Austria as part of the BeLaVi - project in 2019. The deposition of these hoards likely represents a protection of goods connected to the experience of a "historical" threat. This paper will present the case study, the composition and nature of the hoards, and discusses and contextualises the ideas involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of archaeological and archaeozoological study of the 2021excavation material from the Shiroky Buerak settlement which is a part of the Golden Horde city of Ukek. The purpose of the study is to reconstruct a part of the economic functions of this settlement in the life support system of a larger town. The excavations revealed three stratigraphic horizons, remains of several service amenities outbuildings and pits. The ceramic complex is mainly represented by fragments of local production vessels: unglazed red-clay, red-brown, and ancient Russian gray-clay. Fragments of tandoors, coatings, as well as the production of unglazed red clay ceramics were found. However, no special buildings were identified. Other finds include iron, bronze, bone items typical material culture of an “ordinary” rural settlement remains. The coins allow dating the monument to the early 14th century. The archaeozoological collection included 444 fragments of bone remains of mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles which is typical for the rural settlements of this area according to the taxonomic set. The remains of sturgeons found in the cultural layers testify to the specialized fishing industry of the Volga region. The collection is dominated by domestic ungulates bones, among which the remains of cattle are of the highest proportion up to 70%. The proportions of the remains of small ruminants and horses are close to each other 15%and 13% respectively, while about 1% is presented by pig bones. Beef decisively dominates in the meat consumption of the settlement making up to 81%, which suggests that specialized breeding of cattle was one of the important aspects of economic activity to the detriment of other types of domestic ungulates breeding. A comprehensive archaeological and archaeozoological study revealed that the studied monument – Shiroky Buerak is a rural-type settlement with finds typical of the Ukek district, according to its industries, ceramic complex, and the residents` economic activities. The hypothesis about the important role of such settlements in supplying cities with meat products and provision of animal skins for processing by urban artisans has been confirmed, since such industries were found previously in the Ukek excavations.

The article focuses on the importance of documenting provenience in artifact collecting and archaeology, stressing its value in preserving historical context. It discusses methods for collectors to maintain detailed records of artifact finds, emphasizing the significance of preserving provenience information for future research and understanding.

After the Lithuanian National Revival in 1988 and the restoration of independence in 1990, the public on their own initiative searched for the remains of fallen anti-Soviet Lithuanian partisans (1944-1953), excavating the burial sites of partisan remains, their bunkers and dugouts. Such excavations prompted the need to establish regulations and procedures for the exhumation and transfer of the remains of victims of 20th-century conflicts and occupation regimes. Government resolutions adopted in 1992 obliged prosecutors, archaeologists, anthropologists and forensic medical experts to be involved in the exhumation procedure and to carry out the exhumation in accordance with the basic requirements of archaeological research. Owing to the restoration and destruction of authentic partisan bunkers and dugouts, the increase in archaeological investigations at 20th-century conflict sites, as well as the emergence of a distinct field of modern conflict archaeology, the 2022 revision of the Archaeological Heritage Management Regulation stipulated the necessity to carry out archaeological research prior to any excavation works at all 19th- and 20th-century conflict sites. Between 1995 and 2022, a total of 171 permits for archaeological excavations at 20th-century conflict sites were issued. Investigations were mostly carried out at the burial sites of Wehrmacht and Polish Home Army (Armia Krajowa) soldiers of the Second World War and Lithuanian partisans. Partisan bunkers, dugouts, campsites, battlefields also received considerable attention. Today, more than 1700 20th-century conflict sites have legal protection in Lithuania. These include Lithuanian Partisan War sites (mainly sites of death and burial), burial sites of soldiers from the First and Second World Wars, sites of massacres and burials of Jews, and other sites associated with the Soviet and Nazi occupation regimes. This article focuses on 20th-century conflict sites in Lithuania, examining issues of their protection, heritage conservation and archaeology, as well as current trends in archaeological research methodology.

This article presents and compares direct and indirect markers of economic and social strategies of peasant communities from two territories in central Portugal. Over the last fifteen years, several archaeological research projects have revealed new data on the settlements and economic strategies of peasant communities between the fifth and the eleventh centuries. These new data revealed much about the daily lives of such communities, the products consumed and their economic activities. Archaeological markers of peasant economic strategies can be approached through direct evidence: remains of productive structures, tools, produce, and material culture. Likewise, indirect markers, such as occupation patterns and settlement layout, help shed light on shifting priorities and alterations in land use. To adequately frame these peasant communities in relation to broader economic scales, it is also necessary to consider the possible relationships between rural settlements and contemporary administrative, political, and religious centres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Near-surface geophysics techniques have proven their reliability in various application fields, such as geotechnical engineering, resource exploration, and archaeological research. Their success in these contexts is closely related to data interpretation methods, which must be able to resolve shallow structures/bodies that are small and/or located at short distances from each other, thus preventing their identification and discrimination due to the overlapping effects generated by different sources. Here, we propose a new data inversion tool, based on a probabilistic Bayesian approach, which is able to scan near-surface magnetised structures. The developed algorithm allows selecting the mostlikely probability density function, associated with the most-likely magnetic susceptibility contrast distribution in the explored model space, by refining the discretisation of the anomalous areas, i.e. those areas corresponding to the highest susceptibility contrast. We validated the algorithm on synthetic magnetic data generated by anthropogeniclike bodies, and, then, inverted experimental magnetic measurements acquired at the archaeological site of Phaistos (Crete, Greece). In the latter case, the retrieved mostlikely model fits well with the remains found in the study area, and correctly identifies the proper magnetic susceptibility contrast, thickness, and depth of the Minoan wall top brought to light by the archaeological excavation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea shells are natural-biological objects. They are embedded in geological layers in the form of fossils, but also, to find in archaeological deposits as a result of human activities. Archaeologists can use the provenance of shells in the functional analysis of ancient sites in terms of social archeology and prehistoric trading activities. Archeological excavations in several sites of the Iranian Plateau have shown that from the 3rd third millennium B.C. onwards, finds of sea shells (e.g. Lambis, Dentalium, etc.) rapidly increased. Such shells were for instance discovered from ritual cemetery contexts such as Shahdad, Tepe Hesar, Kale Nisar cemeteries or Bani Surma. These objects are mainly used as natural or polished shells. In some cases, they served as a raw material for making all kinds of beads, buttons, and other ornamental objects.. The main question is to understand the relationship between the use of seashells and archaeological context, and also, their role in Bronze Age ritual life. In this article, the descriptive, analytical method has been used in the biological recognition of all types of shells. This method is also used based on similar studies on this issue in Mesopotamia's archeology of the Sumerian-Akkadian period. The distribution of recognizable species shows that these objects are concentrated in the settlements from south to southeast of Iran in the coastal strip of the Persian Gulf, and from the Oman Sea to the Zagros intermountain valleys, as well as in the northwest and northeast of Iran. The biological origin can be placed in the northern shores of the Oman Sea to the Gulf of Kutch on the northern coast of the Indian Ocean. It seems that with the growth and development of urbanization in Southwest Asia and especially the development of sea trade, oysters have been traded as valuable goods and other prestige goods. The importance of the shell findings is more than the value of the shells themselves because they were used as sacred goods in religious affairs. Analysis of the fields where the shells were discovered is more related to cemeteries and temples as sacred spaces. Also, the significant presence of Lambis shells for the production of specific ritual bowls, placed together with bronze axes in graves, can be seen as the reflection of a patriarchic tradition in the social-political organization of the third and second millennia B.C. Despite many excavations and the discovery of many samples of these types of shells, no further going investigation on these specific objects was undertaken so far. This desideratum reveals more valuable findings in the archeology of the Iranian plateau. Therefore, one of this article's final goals is to focus more on analyzing the context of the discovery of seashells in future Excavation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the importance of Tabriz in various historical periods after the Mongol’s invasion to the end of the Qajar period, as continuously being the capital city or the residence city of the prince, entrance to this city has been reflected in various reports. Most of the foreigners who entered Iran from European countries came from Caucasus Road to Tabriz and reported many buildings on their way. Moreover, this road was one of the most significant roadways for Caravans on the Silk Road, where various residential buildings have been constructed. Alaki caravansarai is one of the most important roadside accommodations in Northwest Iran, and so many reports about it and the quality of its façade decorations can be traced in the travelogues of foreigners who traveled to Iran. Its vastitude and elegant entrance gate nevertheless, this building has unfortunately been neglected and was about to be ruined in the 19th century and afterward. However, the beauty of its entrance gate has gained the attention of many people and has been reported in many sources. Based on the ornaments used, recent sources in the history of architecture have estimated its date to the 12th century and Ilkhanid Abū Saʿīd Bahādor Khan and the Timurid period. These sources based their estimation only on the type of ornaments used on its entrance gate and its probable that the existence of dated artworks of the Ilkhanid period nearby, such as the Mihrab of Marand’s Jame Mosque, has influenced this speculation. This article aims to meticulously study this building in various travelogues, al-Wqafīyya al-Rashīdīyya, and other sources in the history of architecture and discusses the ornament types used and their history. The detailed study of the documents and sources indicated that this building could belong to the presidency period of Ḵᵛāja Rašid-al-Din Fażl-Allāh, and based on his emphasis to establish this building, can be dated 1297-1309. The ornaments, moreover, indicate the transient period from brickwork to tilework which happened in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to classical texts, Dara stands out as a significant city from the early Parthian era, situated on the eastern fringes of the Parthian Empire. Classical sources have documented this region under various names such as Apavortene, Zapaortenon, Partauticena, and Apauarcticena. Since the latter half of the nineteenth century, Iranologists have engaged in speculation about the location of Dara, drawing insights from descriptions provided by Justin and Pliny, as well as references to its whereabouts in classical texts. This research endeavors to offer relative conjectures concerning the location of Dara and Shahr-Tepe, a potential site representing it, through an evaluation of archaeological data alongside classical and Islamic texts. To achieve the research objectives using a descriptive-analytical approach, the study employs the library research method and incorporates archaeological data. In alignment with classical texts, the research suggests that the province of Apavortene is situated in Eastern Iran, and there exists a likelihood that the Islamic-period Abivard is a transformed manifestation of this Parthian-period province. Aditionally, a comparative examination of Dara in classical texts with present-day Shahr-Tepe in Dargaz reveals congruence, aligning with the descriptions provided by Justin and Pliny. Shahr-Tepe, located on the opposite side of Hezar Masjed Mountains between Nisa and Abivard, exhibits a singular historical period. Surrounded by Hezar Masjed Mountains, the region boasts an abundance of rivers and springs, expansive meadows, and remnants of forests within Tandooreh National Park and Tivan region. These characteristics confirm the general depiction of Apavortene and Dara found in classical sources. Collectively, these findings suggest that Shahr-Tepe, covering an area of approximately 70 hectares, could indeed represent the prominent city of the early Parthian period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excavations in Tepe Barveh were conducted with the aim to shed further light on the period of painted Bronze Age wares and to refine the existing chronology for the Lesser Zab Basin in the first half of the 3rd millennium BC. Thanks to its location in the upper valley of the Lesser Zab, the Barveh region served as a natural pathway for interaction between the Zagros foothills zones with the Rania and Peshdar Plain in Sulaimaniyah province in Iraqi Kurdistan, and the southern basin of Lake Urmia. By its overlapping Bronze Age sequence, the site offers a strong potential to fill the existing gap of information for the Early Bronze Age occupation in northwestern Iran. A foremost purpose of this paper is to situate Barveh within northwestern Iran, and to explore intra- and inter-regional interactions. The stratified occurrence of Painted Orange Ware (POW) is helpful to establish a sequence for the region and to fill the existing lacuna. EBA sites in northwestern Iran beyond the Kura Araxes zone remain understudied, and few sites offer deposits of considerable depth. The Early Bronze Age is generally associated with the burnished black pottery, while the orange pottery, a coeval and equally important cultural hallmark, has attracted less attention and remains a little known tradition. Hence, in light of the material culture excavated at Barveh, this paper seeks to gain an insight into the ways in which Tepe Barveh interacted with other regions dominated by the orange pottery culture. The ca. 8-meter deep EBA deposit at Barveh built up over c. 300 years and represents this period of POW in an uninterrupted sequence, attesting to cultural continuity over an extended period of time. The culture shows parallels with EBA sites in the southern Urmia Lake Basin and in the Rania and Peshdar plains in Iraqi Kurdistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contractor of the gas line transition from Damghan to Neka destroyed and recovered two tombs in 2014. The site is located 80 km south of Sari. Archaeological excavations led to discovering two historical cemeteries, settlements, and an Islamic castle and cemetery. Architectural remains and objects indicate historical catacomb burials. There are questions about the site including the architectural structure of the catacombs, burial method and dating. Systematic survey and excavation and subsequent comparison of data, with burial method, suggest a vast Parthian settlement in the site. Vestemin is the first Parthian site in Mazandaran. What distinguishes the site from the other Parthian cemeteries is the family catacombs. The Vestemin catacombs consist of three parts, including 1) the rectangular space or the corridor, 2) threshold or entrance between the rectangular space and the catacomb chamber, 3) the catacomb chamber. Armaments including swords, daggers, arrowheads, trefoil arrowheads, and armor were among the findings of the cemetery. Varieties of the objects and using armaments as gifts, had nothing to the deceased’s gender. Investigating the types of armaments reveal how the cavalries applied them, because armaments such as swords, daggers, and arrowheads, are light weapons that Agile Parthian cavalries used against the romans’ heavy weapons, as their classic enemy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzing administrative documents holds significant importance within the realms of archaeology and sociology, akin to the study of other archaeological evidence. These examinations play a pivotal role in reconstructing various systems, encompassing management, social dynamics, economic structures, and political frameworks. Delving into administrative management within prehistoric societies unveils the intricate social intricacies and the supervision exercised by a designated leader or head over a subordinate group, representing an internal control mechanism. Notably, seals, impressions on seals, and diverse accounting artifacts serve as pivotal administrative documents. However, the exploration and investigation of such cultural data in northwestern Iran remain relatively scarce. Therefore, the current study endeavors to present, evaluate, and scrutinize the administrative records of Chalcolithic societies in northwestern Iran, employing a descriptive-analytical approach. Numerous inquiries persist without resolution regarding the administrative records and evidence pertaining to the later prehistory of northwest Iran. Ambiguity surrounds the quantification of Chalcolithic administrative documents within this region. Furthermore, the methodology for analyzing and evaluating the ownership and managerial evidence from the later prehistoric era in this area remains unclear. Addressing these uncertainties can establish a definitive framework and a solid foundation for investigating these matters in northwest Iran. Leveraging administrative data obtained from various sites including Tepe Chay Khoy, Chakhmaqluq, Tepe Kulyeri (Tepe Caravanserai), Sohachay Tepe, and others, the authors conduct an assessment of managerial evidence in the northwestern region of Iran. Furthermore, utilizing extant cultural artifacts and drawing upon the outcomes of prior studies facilitates an exploration into phenomena such as long-distance trade, economic endeavors, social intricacies, and cultural exchanges with neighboring areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]