Nationalism, Politics, and the Development of Archaeology in Iran

Abstract

The relationship between nationalism, politics, and the development and practice of archaeology has recently become a popular topic among archaeologists. This paper reviews the relationship between nationalism, political developments, and the rise and progress of archaeology in Iran from the mid 19th century to the present. The Iranian reaction to foreign interference is investigated here, and the role Iran's past has played in reinforcing nationalist sentiments is explored. It is argued that whenever the political situation provided a favorable environment, intellectuals and politicians, in various capacities, have exploited the archaeological and historical record, especially those of the Achaemenid and Sasanian empires, to advocate their nationalist agendas. This paper concludes with an assessment of the recent manifestations of Iranian nationalism in the post-revolutionary era, and its utilization of Iran's history and recent sociopolitical transformations.