Typology and Comparative Studies on Qeytariyeh Ceramic’s collection, National Museum of Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Cultural Properties Expert,, Iranian Center for Museum Affairs

https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.14754171

Abstract

Archaeological excavations of Qeytariyeh Cemetery have yielded an assemblage of artifacts and remarkable data. Since previous archaeological projects in the site were inadequate in terms of methodology and remain largely unpublished, the restudy project of the collection (in the National Museum of Iran) was necessary. The project contributes to a better understanding of the cultural interactions of Bronze and Early Iron Age societies in northern central Iran. An improvied ceramic typology and comparative studies can provide a better picture of the Iron Age societies in the region. The high diversity in ceramic types and the ceramic technology could be a proxy of craft specialization and high skills of local producers. Comparative studies demonstrate that some ceramic types are comparable to the northeastern parts of Iran in the Bronze age. Also, some typical Iron age I type wares such as worn bowls and pedestal tankards are comparable with northwestern Iran and Gilan in the central Zagros. However, some other ceramic types such as spouted bowls and pitchers with handles are only found in northeastern Iran and the central Iranian Plateau (See Table 2). It can be concluded that the central Iranian Plateau plays an important role as an intermediate for cultural interaction between the northeast, north, and northwest. Based on the result of comparative studies, the proposed relative chronology for the Iron age sites in the central plateau should be reviewed.

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