Landlord Villages of the Tehran Plain, Iran and Historical Archaeology in Iran

Abstract

Landlord villages played a major role in rural life for many centuries in the Tehran Plain and many other parts of Iran. Although they are now abandoned, they were occupied within living memory, and thus offer the opportunity for study as an historical archaeology project, with a methodology that draws together analysis of standing buildings, oral testimony, excavation and, in the future, historical records. These analyses allow us to begin to consider issues such as social hierarchies and relationships, identity and activities within the villages. This article discusses the results of the fieldwork to date and explores the potential for Historical Archaeology projects in Iran.