The Archaeobotanical studies of Jahangi Sassanid building at Ilam province

Authors

Assistant Professor, Department of Historical Archaeology, Iranian Center for Archaeological Research (ICAR)

10.22084/nb.2022.24709.2363

Abstract

Jahangir building is one of the Sassanid sites in the catchment area of Kangir Dam in Ilam province. Due to dry and hot summers and short winters, the vegetal structure of the region includes thermophilic plants such as crops, pastures, forest and groves. Due to the lack of our knowledge about the vegetation of Ilam during the Sassanid era, this research presents the results of a study on the plant remains obtained from the Jahangir building. The purpose of these studies was to identify the types of plants in the area and its subsistence economy based on plant vestiges found from fireplace, tandoor, burnt layers and graves excavated at this site. The ecology and geographical distribution of identified plants in the Kangir basin and the nature of modern ecosystems in the region, indicates the presence of trees and shrubs such as almond, oak, maple, tamaris and willow in the Sassanid period. The presence of such species in the mentioned contexts shows that in the neighboring environment, there were forests, mountains, steppes and riverine structures similar to those are available today in the Kangir basin. The small amount of charcoal found in Jahangir building cannot be a suitable criterion for commenting on the distribution and density and identification of trees in the vegetation of this area during time. The remains of seeds and fruit stones also show that crops (especially cereals) have been consumed as the main source of food. The abundance of wheat and barley found in the tandoor and graves is an evidence for existence of Agricultural lands and a subsistence economy based on the agriculture in the Sassanid period. This is in parallel with the current agriculture ecosystem of the Kangir, basin that is located in an altitude between 700-2000 m above sea level. The study of possible changes in this ecosystem is subject to further archaeobotanical studies in the prehistorical and historic sites of Ilam.

Keywords

Main Subjects

pazhoheshha-ye Bastan shenasi Iran

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 20 August 2022

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