Middle Elamite Period Research Articles

The Political Position of Women in the Middle Elamite Period (1500-1100 B.C

پژوهش در رابطه با نقش زنان در عرصه‌های گوناگون تاریخ ایلام از جمله مسائلی است که همواره مورد توجه پژوهشگران بوده، با این حال، در تحقیقات انجام‌شده بیشتر به نقش مذهبی آنان توجه شده و نقش سیاسی کمتر مد نظر قرار گرفته است. مساله یادشده از این نظر بیشتر جلب توجه می‌کند که به رغم کمبود آثار برجای مانده از تاریخ ایلام، نقش سیاسی زنان به‌خوبی قابل ردیابی است. نوشتار حاضر درصدد پرداختن به چگونگی و میزان حضور و نقش سیاسی زنان در تاریخ ایلام میانه از سدۀ 15 تا 11 پ.م. به‌صورت تفکیک شده در قالب دودمان‌های حکومتگر در این دوره است. در این پژوهش تلاش شده تا علاوه بر استفاده از منابع بومی و داده‌های باستانشناسی از داده‌های غیر بومی هم‌دوره نیز استفاده شود تا بتوان به تصویری روشن‌تر از مبحث مورد نظر دست یافت. نتایج این پژوهش نشان می‌دهد که زنان علاوه بر اینکه از اعضای مهم خاندان سلطنتی به‌شمار می‌رفته‌اند، شاهان نیز به واسطۀ آنان بر سریر قدرت می‌نشستند. در این دوره قدرت زنان چنان افزایش یافته است که حتی در کتیبه‌ها، شاهان اعطای پادشاهی به خویش را به واسطۀ آنها دانسته‌اند. زنان دورۀ ایلام میانه با استفاده از قدرت و نفوذ خویش برای دست یافتن به مقبولیت اقدامات مهمی از جمله ساخت معابد انجام داده‌اند که در نوع خود کم‌نظیر است. نپیر-اسو و نهونته-اوتو دو تن از بانوانی هستند که نقش سیاسی مهمی در تاریخ ایلام میانه داشته‌اند.

Archaeometallurgy of copper in the Middle Elamite period of southwestern Iran: Analytical investigation of various parts of the copper production in Haft Tappeh

The Elamite period (ca. 3000 to 640 BC) hosts one of the earliest kingdoms to arise on the Iranian Plateau, and its metallurgy displays significant technical and industrial sophistication in comparison with the prehistoric period industries in other regions of Iran. This paper presents results of an analytical study of different metallurgical materials from the important Middle Elamite site of Haft Tappeh (ca. 1400 BC), including slags, metallic ingots/prills and objects. The samples were analysed by chemical and microanalytical methods including, ICP-OES, SEM-EDS, WD-XRF, EPMA and thin section petrography. Based on the results, the primary copper smelting process applied at Haft Tappeh was apartially incomplete smeltingprocess that may be interpreted as a two-step procedure, including partial smelting of copper from sulphidic ores leading to matte production and refining the copper ingots/prills to obtain metallic copper. Also, the cementation of copper and cassiterite was the main process used to make tin bronze ingots/prills; however, for producing bronze, the ancient Elamite metalworkers might have known the direct smelting of mixed copper-tin ores as well. A third technique used at Haft Tappeh was the manufacturing of different, small objects made of impure copper and/or tin bronze. Thus, it is probable to introduce the copper-base metallurgy in Haft Tappeh as three main stages including copper smelting from sulphidic copper ores, the refining of early copper ingots/prills and production of tin bronze in different ways.

Chemical and Microscopic Investigation of Ancient Mortar and Plaster from the Middle Elamite Period Tepti Ahar’s Vaulted Tomb, Southwestern Iran

ABSTRACT The Haft Tappeh archaeological site, located in southwestern Iran, includes remains of the Middle Elamite period city, Kapanak (ca. 1400 BC). The archaeological excavations retrieved architectural remnants, the most significant of which being the tomb of Tepti Ahar in the northern area. The tomb is constructed of brick with mortar and plaster. The bricks are more deteriorated than mortar and plaster, and it is interesting to know the reasons behind durability of mortar/plaster in time. The aim of the article is characterization of mortar/plaster of the Tepti Ahar’s tomb. X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were employed throughout. Samples are prevalently made of gypsum with anhydrite, and in some cases bassanite and quartz, soil minerals, and calcite as impurities. The crystal’s shape is large in size with rounded edges as a result of long-term natural weathering. The micromorphological features, with coarse grain sizes, have improved physical and mechanical properties of the material. The dehydration channels in the gypsum crystals suggest the influence of moisture changes in the environment within the burial interval. Thus, long-term natural weathering has rendered a dense microstructure as the main reason for the stability of the mortar-plaster in time.

Royal Court Tombs, Burial Rituals and Practices in the Middle Elamite Period

Received Dec 2015 Received in revised Feb 2016 Published in March 2016 Archeologically, burial rituals and practices provide valuable information for the remaking of various life styles in the ancient communities. Such practices and rites are social ceremonies, varying in accordance to the social rank of the deceased. In the present article, the royal court burial rites of the Middle Elamite period and the related ceremonies would be revised. The objective of the research is to re-create the royal court burial rituals of the aforesaid era. To the date, excavations in Susa, Haft Tepe, and Chogha Zanbil have provided evidences of the royal court burial ceremonies. Archeological and linguistic documents are compared and analyzed in the present study. In this period, burial types span from plain ones to burial in earthenware, jar burial, coffin burial and vaulted tomb burial; however, the current paper is centred mainly around the royal court method dedicated to the king, royal family and the court. The excavated evidence prove that ceremonies were held at the burial of the rulers. The practice in question demonstrates deep rooted belief in the immaterial world during the Middle Elamite period where corpses were buried in brick-built vaulted tombs.

Investigation on Manufacturing Process in Some Elamite Copper Alloy Artefacts from Haft Tappeh, South-west Iran

The archaeometallurgy of copper have been pioneer technologies in ancient Iran and goes back to about ten thousand years ago in Iranian Plateau [1, 2]. The Haft Tappeh Middle Elamite Site is located in Southwest Iran and have been an important city belonging to early phase of Middle Elamite period (14th century BCE) [3, 4]. Based on various metallurgical evidences found in archaeological excavations, such as metalworking workshop, slag, smelted copper as well as numerous copper alloy artefacts, extensive metallurgical activities have done in Haft Tappeh and it has been an important center in smelting and manufacturing copper alloys in second millennium BC [4, 5]. To identify metallurgical process of metallic artefacts in Haft Tappeh including alloying composition, inclusions and phases as well as manufacturing and shaping, seven metallic fragments have studied by Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (SEM-EDS) and optical microscopy.

Micro-stratigraphical investigation on corrosion layers in ancient Bronze artefacts by scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive spectrometry and optical microscopy

BackgroundArchaeological metallic artefacts buried in soils deteriorate by means of various environmental as well as internal factors and mechanisms over time such as change in composition and microstructure of metal and corrosive factors due to long-term burial environment. Corrosion in metals occurs in different morphologies and results in different types of corrosion products based on soil composition. Identification of corrosion mechanisms and morphology in archaeological metals can help conservators to characterize deterioration occurred in metals and make decisions to protect artefacts about preventing further deterioration. In archaeological bronzes, different layers may form on the surface of artefacts and their composition, depth and shape depends on factors noted above.ResultsIn this paper, results of investigation carried out on ancient bronzes discovered from Haft Tappeh archaeological site, southwestern Iran, are presented. The ancient bronze samples are dated to the Middle Elamite period about 14th century BC. Some of the Haft Tappeh bronze artefacts corroded completely and a multilayer structure has formed. To study the stratigraphy of corrosion layers and their composition, some bronze artefacts have been analyzed using SEM-EDS (Scanning Electron Microscopy Energy Dispersive Spectrometry) and Optical Microscopy analyses. The results show difference between the amount of Cu and Sn in layers that may follow from copper leaching from inner layers and formation of copper trihydroxychlorides because of bronze disease.ConclusionsBased on the results, it can be concluded that SEM-EDS analysis and Microscopy observations can help to characterize compositional difference between corrosion layers in the micro scale as well as corrosion mechanisms occurring in archaeological metal artefacts.

Mineralogical and chemical investigations on the ceramic technology in Čoġā Zanbil (Iran, 1250 BC)

Characterizations of archaeological finds are an essential feature for the interpretation of data from excavations. The investigated samples date from Elam period (1250 B.C.), which is an important period for archaeology, because of the introduction of new technologies that ameliorate the quality of materials used in daily life, and furthermore because of the expansion of the Elamite kingdom in the Iranian plateau. Basically this paper focused on the investigation of the parameters which have been interested for characterizing the ceramics production in the past. The ceramic pieces studied in this paper come from archaeological excavations carried out in Coġā Zanbil, in the south west of Iran, between 2002 and 2004. Based on archaeological interpretation they belong to the middle Elamite period (1500-1100 B.C.). The samples have been investigated by quantitative X-ray diffraction inclusive Rietveld phase refining method for determining the crystalline phases in the matrix of ceramics, and simultaneous thermo analysis to characterize the decomposition of the constituent phases during the sintering process. Furthermore thermo analytical studies proved that, during the middle Elamite period, existed a dissimilar thermal behaviour due to different fabrication conditions. Observation by polarized light microscopy included additional information on the manufacturing process by means of the identification of different additives, used within the ceramic matrix. The results provided information on the existence of a similar raw material, and different manufacturing technique in the ceramic production in the middle Elamite period, in Coġā Zanbil.

QXRD, XRF and optical microscopy applied to characterization and provenance of ancient ceramics from Haft Teppeh (1500 – 1150 BC), southwest Iran

Classifications of Archaeological discoveries are an essential feature for better interpretation of the extractive data from a case excavation. The question that will be focused on in this paper is; which of the parameters – raw materials or manufacturing processes – have changed during the time in an ancient archaeological place. The materials used in this research are ceramic pieces from archaeological excavations carried out in Haft-Tappeh, south-western Iran that chronologically belonging to the middle Elamite period (1500 B.C.). Samples classified firstly by their exterior characters. According to obtained results from quantitative X-ray diffraction and phase refining by Rietveld, it has become possible to characterize the data for clustering the samples in different groups. Observation by polarized light microscopy produced additional information about the manufacturing as well as the processing of the different admixtures used by ancient potters. Mineralogical- chemical interpretation of ceramics based on x-ray methods proved a dissimilar thermal behaviour due to different fabrication conditions during the same period. The results provided principally information on the existence of a common raw material reservoir but different manufacturing technique in pottering during middle Elamite period in Haft-Tappeh.

Notes on Arboricultural and Agricultural Practices in Ancient Iran based on New Pollen Evidence

New pollen evidence from two sites in South-Central Zagros (Lake Maharlou), Southwestern Iran, and Sahand Mountains (Lake Almalou), Northwestern Iran, provide evidence for the emergence of tree cultivation in Southwestern Iran since the 3rd and 2nd millennia BC and upland agricultural activities in Northwestern Iran since 5th to 3rd centuries BC. Juglans cf. regia could have been cultivated firstly at ~ 2500 BC and became more extensively cultivated since ~ 1200 BC. Platanus cf. orientalis was also probably cultivated very early at ~ 1900 BC during the Middle Elamite period (2800-550 BC) and became more widely cultivated from ~ 1200 BC along with Juglans. The latter arboricultural events could have resulted from the establishment of great urban civilizations in Southwestern Iran. The rise of the Persian Empires seems to have been associated with a large-scale agricultural revolution over the Iranian Plateau. During the Persian Achaemenid Empire (550-330 BC) tree cultivation expanded in the Lake Maharlou area and agricultural practices expanded into upland areas in Lake Almalou area probably due to socio-economic stability and the development of water exploitation and irrigation techniques. The Parthian (250 BC-225 AD) and Sassanian (224-642 AD) periods were also associated with tree cultivation practices in Lake Maharlou area but to a lower extent comparing to the Achaemenid period. In the Lake Almalou area, the Parthian period saw no spectacular agricultural event at least partly due to political and socio-economic instability caused by conflicts with Romans over Armenia. The socio-economic stability and further development in agricultural techniques during the Sassanian Empire could, however, favor again the large-scale tree cultivation practices in Northwestern Iran. The Post-Islamic period is characterized by reduced agricultural activities in the Iranian Plateau most probably due to political instability caused by numerous invasions by Arabs, Turks and Mongols. The last signifi cant agricultural event recorded in the Lake Almalou pollen record is the appearance of Ricinus communis cultivated since the beginning of the Safavid Empire (1501-1722 AD).

Human-Environment Interactions on the Upper Khuzestan Plains, Southwest Iran. Recent Investigations

Evidence from archaeological excavation, intensive surface survey, geoarchaeological investigations, and remote sensing conducted in fall 2002 establishes parameters for the long-term history of human-environment interaction on the eastern margins of the Upper Khuzestan plains. During the 6th-4th millennia ВСЕ (the Susiana and Protoliterate periods), human settlement in this region was dispersed, intermittent, and shifting, due in part to a subsistence economy based on opportunistic floodwater farming and small-scale sheep and goat herding. Dense settled occupation of the region began only in the later 2nd millennium ВСЕ (during the Middle Elamite period), though little is yet known about land use practices at this time. By the early 1st millennium CE, large-scale canal irrigation is already well developed on the plains and has significantly altered their morphology. Observations along the modern Gargar River reveal its origin as an artificial canal, confirming the testimony of 10th century geographers. Archaeological and historical evidence supports reconstruction of the function and history of this channel and assessment of its effects on the agricultural potential of its catchment and on the accumulation and preservation of archaeological deposits.

Excavations at Anshan (Tal-e Malyan): The Middle Elamite Period. Elizabeth Carter

Previous articleNext article No AccessBook ReviewsExcavations at Anshan (Tal-e Malyan): The Middle Elamite Period. Elizabeth Carter P. R. S. MooreyP. R. S. Moorey Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by Journal of Near Eastern Studies Volume 59, Number 1Jan., 2000 Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/468768 Views: 2Total views on this site Copyright 2000 The University of ChicagoPDF download Crossref reports no articles citing this article.

The earliest Persians in southwestern Iran: the textual evidence

The Persians are Obscure in the Archaeological Record, and the routes and dates of their migration into Iran are uncertain. When the Persians appear in the textual record, it is in the context of their interaction with the regional powers of Elam and Assyria. Examination of the relevant sources highlights two areas of Persian settlement in the first half of the first millennium B.C.E.: the central Zagros Mountains region and modern Fars, the latter the core of the first Persian Empire (Old Persian Parsa and Greek Persis). Since there are no extant Persian inscriptions dating before the mid-sixth century, this analysis relies upon Assyrian and Elamite sources.The Persians may have begun their arrival in southwestern Iran as early as the mid-second millennium. During the Middle Elamite period (c. 1600-1000 B.C.E.), Fars and its primary city Anshan (modern Malyan) were part of the kingdom of Elam. Sometime around 1000 B.C.E., Anshan was abandoned. Large-scale settlement cannot be traced in Fars after that until the Achaemenid period, over four hundred years later.

Excavations at Anshan (Tal-e Malyan): The Middle Elamite Period. By Elizabeth Carter.

Previous articleNext article No AccessBook ReviewsExcavations at Anshan (Tal-e Malyan): The Middle Elamite Period. By Elizabeth Carter.D. T. PottsD. T. Potts Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by American Journal of Archaeology Volume 102, Number 1January 1998 The journal of the Archaeological Institute of America Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.2307/506148 Copyright © 1998 by the Archaeological Institute of America. All rights reserved.PDF download Crossref reports no articles citing this article.

Excavations at Susa (Persia), 1930–1931

The ruins of ancient Susa, prior to the Achaemenid period (sixth century B.c.), are shaped like a square, each side of which is 700 metres long. The angles face the cardinal points. The southern angle is however prolonged by an external mound, which M. Dieulafoy has called the ‘the Dungeon’.The acropolis of Susa occupies the main portion of the northwestern side and we are continuing there the systematic exploration inaugurated by M. de Morgan. This year we widened and lengthened a trench which last season had reached the natural soil, and here we found a big ditch dug in the middle Elamite period. It was 8 metres wide, and 6.25 metres deep; we excavated 10.25 metres of its length without reaching its other end. The sides were covered by raw (sundried) bricks, which in some places were protected by thick walls of kilnfired bricks. Some of these burnt bricks have cuneiform inscriptions recording the dedication of Elamite temples. In the silting of this ditch we found fragments of arragonite vases, often inscribed with the names of the Achaemenid sovereigns Xerxes and Artaxerxes, and fragments of horns and ears of the stone protomas of the bulls forming the capitals of the columns of the Apadana. It seems that this ditch was originally a tank of water, belonging to the Elamite temples of the God Shushinak and of the Goddess Nin-Har-Shag. Water was brought into the tank by means of an aqueduct. The ditch was filled up gradually during the post-Achaemenid periods (Parthian and Sassanid). The fact that the ground surrounding the ditch corresponded to levels anterior to the third millennium B.c., was very perplexing until the real nature of the ditch was fully ascertained. However, during the course of clearing the remains we found a fragment of the pedestal of a Sumerian statue,chiselled out of a blue stone. Judging from its style it can be dated to the period of Agade, 2700 B.C.