A Preliminary Report of Excavations at Aveh Plain,Islamic period

Abstract

Aveh archaeological site, which has prepared the necessary background for the archaeological studiesafter having been identified and registered, is located in Saveh Plain, and it is one of the less-known sitesin the Iranian Central Plateau. The chronological sequence of this site extends from prehistoric periodstill Timurid time. It is worth mentioning that here, except for the Islamic settlements, neither prehistoricnor historic settlements are of big proportions. Our subject settlement developed so much in size over themiddle Islamic centuries reaching its zenith in Ilkhanid period. According to the archeological excavationsconducted by Tarbiat Modares University team at this site, its significant archaeological materials such asceramics have been found and documented. In 684 A.H. the luster tiles were discovered in this area beingthe first particular scientific indicator proving this site is an Ilkhanid one. Through performing numerousfield works, the authors could determine Aveh town’s basic structure including arg (citadel), sharestan(peripheral areas of the city center), and rabaz (outskirts and farmlands which are farther than the mainurban parts of the city/town) which were generally similar to the other royal/ ruling Ilkhanid towns. Onthe other hand, the discovery of potsherds as well as luster tiles in this area showed the artistic and culturalpower of the artists residing here. Through laboratory works and electronic microprobe method, the authorsalso found out that the important particles of the clay in Aveh besides its richness, which both make the soilvery suitable for making luster wares, existed in the area. All the previously-mentioned facts as well as thedecoration, designs, and motifs applied on luster wares make us consider Aveh as a center for making lusterware and producing style . The present study was done using a description - method in addition librarystudies , field and laboratory works.