G3
Dailaman, northern Iran
archaeometry documenting ancient technology and trade

From the early 20th century, archaeologists focused attention on the mountainous area of northern Iran, including the Dailaman basin in the south-western Caspian Sea, as the region yields antiques of precious metals or unique forms. Prior to a Japanese expedition to Dailaman in 1960 and 1964, most of these were antiques and not archaeological remains. The expedition excavated five archaeological sites, and revealed material culture of the early Iron Age and the Partho-Sasanian period. Four volumes of the detailed report have not lost importance even today, although half a century has elapsed since the expedition.

At first, an attempt was made to establish a chronological framework of Dailaman and the surrounding region. However, as the pottery of the period is extremely local, and the chronology related only to grave material, it has no stratigraphic evidence. Some attempted to make a comparative study with widely distributed imported material, such as bronze, iron, or glass, however the situation is almost same.

In recent years, it appears that, based on interdisciplinary research between archaeologist and analytical chemist, there was a lack of archaeological information regarding Dailaman materials and museum pieces. The high-energy X-ray graphic study of bi-metalic swords, including that from Ghalekuti II revealed previously unknown production techniques. The X-ray fluorescence analysis of glass revealed the rise and fall of the glass industry in late antiquity of western Asia, as well as trade between the Dailaman region and the surrounding area. (Ryuji Shikaku)

References

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Haerinck, E. (1989) The Achemenid (Iron Age IV) period in Gilan, Iran. In: De Meyer, L. & Haerinck, E. (eds.) Archaeologia Iranica et Orientalis. Miscellanea in Honorem Louis Vanden Berghe, pp. 455–474. Gent: Peeters Press.