امير ساعد موچشي

This study investigates the cultural landscape of Sar Pol-e Zahāb during the Parthian–Sasanian period. Located in western Iran near the modern border with Iraq, the region has been a significant center of human settlement and activity since the Middle Paleolithic. Prior to the comprehensive archaeological survey conducted in 2016—on which this dissertation is based—scholarly knowledge of the Parthian and Sasanian periods in Sar Pol-e Zahāb was limited to a few documented structures, archaeological sites, and a single rock relief. The 2016 survey significantly broadened this understanding, resulting in the identification of 114 sites associated with the Parthian–Sasanian era. These sites represent a wide range of settlement types, from small rural villages to large urban centers, distributed across the region’s fertile plains. In addition, the survey revealed the remains of an extensive irrigation system—referred to as the “Nahr-e Velash”—and a large-scale fortification known as the “Gawri Wall.” The dissertation presents the findings of archaeological fieldwork and textual analysis across five chapters. Chapter One outlines the research design, including the central questions, hypotheses, objectives, and the theoretical framework. Chapter Two addresses the physical geography of the region—encompassing geomorphology, watershed systems, vegetation cover, current climatic conditions, and soil classifications—as foundational elements shaping patterns of human settlement. Chapter Three reconstructs the region’s historical geography by analyzing place names and documentary sources spanning from the third millennium BCE to the early Islamic period. These materials yield valuable insights into the region’s political events, local governance, religious and or ethno-religious groups, and Urban toponymy, thereby contributing to a more nuanced historical understanding. Chapter Four examines the roles of both environmental and anthropogenic factors in determining settlement patterns during the Parthian–Sasanian period. Variables such as water availability, irrigation infrastructure, transportation networks, alluvial fans, and soil quality are analyzed in relation to site selection and spatial distribution. The findings illuminate the complexity of settlement patterns during the Parthian–Sasanian period and underscore the role of interactions between environmental factors and human agency in site selection and spatial organization. Additionally, the study of the Gawri Wall suggests that its construction and utilization should be interpreted within the broader political history of the region, spanning the third millennium BCE to the Qajar period. Given the strategic significance of Sarpol-e Zahāb, it is plausible that the wall was constructed and utilized across multiple historical periods. Nevertheless, the archaeological evidence found along the wall strongly underscores its particular importance during the Parthian–Sasanian era. Chapter Five concludes the study by revisiting the initial research questions and hypotheses in light of the data and interpretations presented in the preceding chapters.

This study was conducted with the aim of examining the impact of modern technologies on Iran’s handwoven kilim and carpet industry. A qualitative research approach and a phenomenological strategy were adopted to gain an in-depth understanding of the experiences and perspectives of artists and stakeholders in this field. The target population consisted of 35 individuals involved in the kilim and carpet sector, selected through purposive sampling until theoretical saturation was achieved. Participants included artists, workshop managers, exporters, academic experts, and technology specialists. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews, field observations, and a review of existing documents and records. The main themes focused on the experience of using modern technologies, the challenges of integrating tradition and modernity, and the impact of these technologies on production processes, product quality, and authenticity. Data analysis was carried out using thematic analysis through three stages: open coding, axial coding, and selective coding. This method enabled the extraction of initial concepts, the categorization of themes, and the development of a coherent conceptual framework. To validate the findings, member checking, peer analysis, and triangulation of data sources (interviews, observations, and documents) were employed. The results indicate that despite challenges and obstacles, modern technologies have created significant opportunities for improving quality, expanding marketing, and strengthening the cultural identity of Iranian kilim and carpet products. However, the adoption and effective utilization of these technologies require comprehensive support, training, and strategic planning.

Baneh County is located in western Iran, within Kurdistan Province and near the border with Iraq. Limited archaeological studies have been conducted in this region, yet these few investigations indicate the presence of numerous sites dating to the Chalcolithic period. The aim of this research is to examine and analyze the Chalcolithic settlements in this area. Data have been collected through field surveys, library sources, and GIS analysis. Within the territory of Baneh County, eleven Chalcolithic sites have so far been identified, which include tells and open flat sites situated in small intermontane plains. The pottery recovered from these sites predominantly belongs to the Late Chalcolithic period and is mainly characterized by Chaff-Faced Ware. The ceramics and other cultural remains show strong affinities with the Chalcolithic traditions of northwestern Iran, western Iran, and the Central Plateau of Iran, while also reflecting influences from the Ubaid tradition of Mesopotamia. Given Baneh’s location between the cultural spheres of western and northwestern Iran, its pottery assemblage demonstrates clear similarities with both regions, although traces of local cultural influence are also evident. Based on the nature and quality of the data, in addition to evidence for sedentary life, the presence of a mobile and seasonal pastoral community during this period can also be suggested.

Tepe Namashiris located in Baneh County, in the northwestern part of Kurdistan Province. The pottery from this site was recovered during the excavation conducted for the delimitation of the core area and buffer zone, which was directed by Mr. Zahed Karimi under the supervision of the Kurdistan Provincial Cultural Heritage Organization. The pottery assemblage from Tepe Namashir shows significant similarities with Chalcolithic ceramics from northwestern Iran (Dalma), the Central Zagros (Tepe Godin), to some extent the Central Plateau of Iran (Qabrestan), and northern Mesopotamia (Ubaid). Given the site’s geographical location, its key role in the transmission of cultural traditions between the northern-southern and eastern-western regional spheres can be explained through the pottery finds from this excavation. Based on the analyses conducted in this study, it is possible to address the research gap and outline the site’s tentative chronology. Through the comparative study and classification of the pottery, this research aims to explain the dominant cultural influences in the region, provide a basis for identifying communication routes involved in the transmission of ceramic traditions, reconstruct the site’s key role in interregional interactions, and highlight the cultural similarities that can be assessed and interpreted through pottery.