The Mineralogical Study of the Silk III Ceramic in Zayanderud Watershed

Articles in Press

Authors

1 Dept of Archaeology, Shahrekord /university

2 Dep. of Archaeology

3 Dept of Archaeology, Shahrekord University

10.22084/nb.2025.27480.2562

Abstract

The petrographic analysis includes the identification of minerals inside the clay and their relationship with geological resources compatible with archaeological evidence. This method is one of the ways to study ceramics to identify their components, know the differences and similarities in their composition, determine the percentage of each component and the firing temperature of ceramics and finally, investigate the origin of the raw materials that made ceramics. Considering the importance of this method in archaeology and the great similarity of the ceramic samples found in Zayanderud watershed with the Sialk III culture of Sialk, the present research intends to investigate and study their characteristics. Examining the composition and percentage of elements in the texture of ceramics, the technique of cooking and the amount of heat required in the process of their production, finding the differences and similarities in them and discovering their connection with the ceramic production in sialk is the main goals of the research. The ceramics in this study span ‘between 4300 to 3100 B.C’. In total, 43 sherds (36 from Gorgai, Ashna, Jamalo, Gavyaran, Maidanak1 and Badarkhani sites and 7 from Sialk) were investigated on the basis of their macroscopic features and styles, and furthermore through their surface. The samples examined petrographically in both plane polarised light (PPL) and under crossed polar (XPL). The results show that despite the slight difference in some samples, these ceramics are not only very similar in terms of appearance and motifs, but also in terms of technical characteristics such as voids, structure, mineralogy, adhesive material and also the firing temperature. Differences in the firing of sialk samples with samples from other areas and the presence of some elements of igneous rocks or chert are some of the things that indicate a different origin in the manufacture of some of the ceramics, otherwise, the pottery of Zayanderud watershed area is from Every comment is influenced by Sailk III from Sialk.

Keywords

Main Subjects

pazhoheshha-ye Bastan shenasi Iran

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 17 March 2025

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