نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
نویسندگان
1 دانشجوی دکتری باستانشناسی، گروه باستانشناسی، دانشکدۀ هنر و معماری، دانشگاه مازندران، بابلسر، ایران
2 دانشیار گروه باستانشناسی، دانشکدۀ هنر و معماری، دانشگاه مازندران، بابلسر، ایران (نویسندۀ مسئول).
3 استادیار گروه باستانشناسی، دانشکدۀ هنر و معماری، دانشگاه مازندران، بابلسر، ایران.
چکیده
کلیدواژه‌ها
موضوعات
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
Abstract
The investigation into the development of Chalcolithic settlements, their cultural elements, and the nature of their regional and interregional exchanges constitutes a central focus of research concerning eastern Mazandaran during this timeframe. Among the related cultural artifacts within the area during the Late Neolithic and Early Chalcolithic periods is the Black-on-Red ware, commonly known as Painted Red Pottery. A thorough examination of the technical and decorative attributes of this pottery will yield valuable insights into these communities and their potential affiliations with surrounding areas from the mid-6th to the mid-5th millennium B.C. At Tappeh Abbasi, archaeological layers have uncovered both Neolithic pottery and Black-on-Red ware in conjunction. Despite this, they possess varying technical and decorative attributes when compared to one another. As a result, two distinct pottery production techniques were utilized simultaneously. This phenomenon is also evident in the central plateau, particularly at Agh Tappeh in the Gorgan plain and in northeastern Iran, such as Royan in the Shahrood plain. The pottery being examined exhibits some resemblances to those found in adjacent regions, including Stratigraphic sequence clay quality, the application of mineral temper, and the black geometric designs on red pottery. Conversely, there are several differences, including the lack of ‘faunal’ and ‘floral’ motifs, the absence of ‘Painted Buff ware’ in this location and the plains, and an increased reliance on mineral temper. The Black-on-Red ceramics are found in the lowest stratum of Tappeh Abbasi (layer 12), which is categorized as Phase 1. These artifacts are roughly contemporaneous with the transitional Chalcolithic period in Iran’s Central Plateau. In layer 11 (Phase 2), only features typical of the transitional Chalcolithic are present, while the Black-on-Red pottery exhibits enhanced technical attributes, although it maintains its earlier decorative styles. The production of Black-on-Red pottery in layer 10, associated with the Bronze Age, saw a decline in both quality and quantity.
Keywords: Eastern Mazandaran, Cheshmeh-Ali, Transitional Chalcolithic Period, Black-on-Red Ware, Tappeh Abbasi.
Introduction
Based on archaeological findings in eastern Mazandaran, including the lowlands of Neka and Behshahr plains as well as the highlands of Farim and Kiasar, the significance of these areas in the formation and evolution of prehistoric societies is considerable. There are critical inquiries regarding the late Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods in this region, such as their development, modes of communication, interconnectedness, complexity, and technological advancements. Pottery stands out as one of the most crucial and accessible remnants from these ancient communities. Scientific analyses of pottery, including classification and typology, play a vital role in deepening our comprehension of various aspects of past societies.
In 2008, Tappeh Abbasi was excavated by Rahmat Abbasnejad Seresti, who dug four trenches: the primary trench, known as T.T.C, situated at the center of the mound for stratigraphic analysis; T.T.N.E located in the northeast; T.T.S in the south; and T.T.S.W in the southwest. This research primarily examines the Black-on-Red pottery discovered at Tappeh Abbasi, particularly the ones belonging to the Late Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods, as evidenced in layers 12, 11, and 10 of Trench T.T.C. Given the prevalent occurrence of black-on-red pottery in the area, this study aims to conduct a comprehensive analysis of its technical attributes and decorative styles in the early layers of Tappeh Abbasi. Furthermore, the research explores potential regional and extra-regional connections related to this pottery. Pottery akin to the Black-on-red ware identified at Tappeh Abbasi has also been unearthed at Hutu, Kamarband, and Komishan caves located in the plains, as well as in Tappeh Sad and Tarkam in the Highlands. Comparable pottery has been documented from sites across the central and northeastern plateaus of Iran, which align chronologically with the concluding phases of the Neolithic era. The lack of absolute chronological data for this site and the Mazandaran region precludes definitive assertions regarding the temporal precedence or reciprocal influences between the red-painted pottery of this area and its neighboring regions. Nevertheless, there exists a clear resemblance in terms of technique and pattern diversity between the pottery from Tappeh Abbasi and that from northeast Iran and the central plateau of Iran, particularly the pottery associated with Cheshmeh Ali.
Discussion and Analysis
In the stratigraphic trench TTC, the oldest layers, specifically layers 12, 11, and 10, predominantly feature pottery from the Neolithic, transitional Chalcolithic, Chalcolithic Period, and Bronze Age. Layer 12, situated on undisturbed soil, reveals that 64 percent of the pottery is classified as Black-on-red, while 33 percent dates back to the Neolithic era. All Black-on-red ceramics are crafted by hand, utilizing mineral temper. The porosity levels of these ceramics, indicative of the artisans’ skill in pottery production, are recorded at 16 percent for low porosity and 72 percent for medium porosity. The prevalent decorative patterns on these ceramics include parallel and crossed lines. In layer 11, the proportions have shifted to 85 percent for low porosity and 15 percent for medium. These modifications, along with progress in firing methods and a marked decline in the incorporation of plants as temper, appear to imply a phase transition in this layer. Additionally, layer 11 lacks evidence of Neolithic pottery, with Black-on-red wares being the most common. In contrast, layer 10 is characterized predominantly by Bronze Age pottery, while Black-on-red wares are less significant. The decoration on these red potteries is confined to geometric designs, painted in shades that range from dark brown to black. These motifs can be categorized into seven distinct types: parallel lines, basket patterns, ladder patterns, wavy and diagonal patterns, sharply angled broken lines, unique patterns, and simple edge patterns. Analyzing archaeological evidence from surrounding areas and contrasting the prevalent motifs of Black-on-Red pottery, particularly the basket motif from Royan (4040-3660 B.C.) and the ladder motif from Tappeh Pahlavan (4842-5036 B.C.) and Royan (5321-5469 B.C.), which have been precisely dated, reveals significant insights; notably, the basket motif from Royan dates back to 4040-3660 B.C.
Conclusion
Regarding their stratigraphic positions, decorative motifs, and technical attributes, the Black-on-Red ceramics from Tappeh Abbasi closely resemble the Transitional Chalcolithic (Cheshmeh Ali type) pottery of Iran’s Central Plateau and northeastern regions. Although this study highlights a number of both technical and decorative parallels and distinctions between Tappeh Abbasi ware and that of adjacent areas, it underscores the need for additional field investigations and the establishment of an absolute chronological framework. A provisional relative chronology was developed by comparing motif repertoires across regions. On this basis, the Black-on-Red pottery from the first occupation phase at Tappeh Abbasi (Phase 1) in Layer 12 is tentatively dated to the latter half of the 6th millennium BC. Subsequent technical developments observed in Layer 11 indicate entry into a second stage of Black-on-Red production, which may be regarded as its final phase. In the Bronze Age deposits of Layer 10, the Black-on-Red tradition shows no marked stylistic innovations, though its frequency diminishes. Collectively, the ceramic record from eastern Mazandaran and especially from Tappeh Abbasi suggests that Chalcolithic ceramic evolution in this area followed a distinct trajectory, differing from the Cheshmeh Ali Black-on-Red tradition characteristic of the central plateau.
Acknowledgments
Appreciation is extended to the officials and managers of the Mazandaran Province General Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts for providing financial support for the stratigraphic excavation of Tappeh Abbasi, Khansar, Neka. The excavation permit was issued by the Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and Tourism as well as the Archaeological Research Center; thus, gratitude is expressed to the relevant directors and contributors. Special thanks are given to Mr. Seyed Javad Hosseinzadeh Sadati, Mr. Hossein Ramazanpour, - the late Mr. Mostafa Sharifi, Mr. Mohsen Kakoei, Mr. Serallah Ghasemi Gorji, Mr. Esmaeil Jafarian, Mr. Meysam Miri, Mr. Mousa Rahmani, and Mr. Ali Mahforouzi for their participation in the excavation process; to Mr. Seyed Kamal Asadi Ojayi for his assistance in identifying pottery and reviewing the article’s text and offering scientific suggestions; and also to Ms. Zahra Rajabioon, the pottery designer of the site.
کلیدواژه‌ها [English]
)