A Preliminary Report of Excavations at Aveh Plain, Islamic Period

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Faculty member of Iranian Centre for Archaeological Research

2 Department of Archaeology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Aveh archaeological site, which has prepared the necessary background for the archaeological studies
after having been identified and registered, is located in Saveh Plain, and it is one of the less-known sites
in the Iranian Central Plateau. The chronological sequence of this site extends from prehistoric periods
till Timurid time. It is worth mentioning that here, except for the Islamic settlements, neither prehistoric
nor historic settlements are of big proportions. Our subject settlement developed so much in size over the
middle Islamic centuries reaching its zenith in Ilkhanid period. According to the archeological excavations
conducted by Tarbiat Modares University team at this site, its significant archaeological materials such as
ceramics have been found and documented. In 684 A.H. the luster tiles were discovered in this area being
the first particular scientific indicator proving this site is an Ilkhanid one. Through performing numerous
field 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 main
urban parts of the city/town) which were generally similar to the other royal/ ruling Ilkhanid towns. On
the other hand, the discovery of potsherds as well as luster tiles in this area showed the artistic and cultural
power of the artists residing here. Through laboratory works and electronic microprobe method, the authors
also found out that the important particles of the clay in Aveh besides its richness, which both make the soil
very suitable for making luster wares, existed in the area. All the previously-mentioned facts as well as the
decoration, designs, and motifs applied on luster wares make us consider Aveh as a center for making luster
ware and producing style . The present study was done using a description - method in addition library
studies , field and laboratory works.

Keywords

References

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Iranian Journal of Archaeological Studies
Volume 3, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
November 2013
Pages 21-37

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