Ernie Haerinck

The Iron age 'Zagros graveyard' near Sanandaj (Iranian Kurdistan): preliminary report on the first season

An Iron Age graveyard, for the most part dating from the 8th - 7th century BC, was accidentally discovered in 2008 during road works near Sanandaj, Iranian Kurdistan. Rescue excavations were conducted by the Cultural Heritage Department in Sanandaj. The present contribution reports on these first excavations during which more than 20 graves were discovered in two squares and a trench. A selection of the graves and the burial goods are discussed.

GPR survey to explore social stratification in a pre-Islamic burial area at Mleiha, Sharjah (United Arab Emirates)

This paper presents an archaeological GPR prospection at Mleiha (Sharjah, United Arab Emirates), occupied between the 3rd century BC and the 4th century AD. The aim of the survey was to explore a necropolis near the eastern border of the site. Four parallel 500 MHz GPR antennas were towed behind a four-wheel drive vehicle. Positioning occurred by means of a robotic total station. Processing included de-striping (because of amplitude differences between the channels), migration and topographic correction. For the velocity determination, migration velocity analysis was used. Heavy rainfall during the prospection changed the moisture conditions, so varying wave velocities were used for the time-to-depth conversion. Several square tomb-towers were detected. All have marks that they have been plundered (a hole in the middle of the structure). Some small circular anomalies, initially interpreted as pit burials, after excavation proved to be the result of water absorption by plant roots. In general, the simple burials, located in the marl below a shallow loamy sand layer, were harder to detect by GPR.

In search of the Laodike temple at Laodikeia in Media / Nahavand, Iran

Although important archaeological remains, such as Greek inscriptions and architectural elements are known from Nahavand since several decennia, it lasted until 2005 before a first exploratory season with excavations took place, followed by a second one in 2011. So far this research has led to important observations for the Seleucid and Parthian periods, but it is still too early to be able to locate with precision the temple in honour of Laodike, wife of Antiochus III. However, this temple is most likely to be located in the northwestern part of the town since several Seleucid/Parthian architectural remains have been found there.

An early bronze age tomb near Khorramabad (W-Iran) Herzfeld's Gilviran revisited

Ernst Herzfeld made mention of the discovery in 1928 of a Bronze Age tomb at Gilviran, some 5 km from Khorramabad in Luristan. He discussed the site briefly and illustrated some of the finds; two of the bronze vases were later acquired by the British Museum. Since it was one of the few tombs in Pish-i Kuh, Luristan on which some reliable information was known, the Gilviran discovery is mentioned in most studies on Luristan. Nevertheless, little more than a description and a few illustrations of some of the finds were available. A more complete picture of the Gilviran tomb is now presented based on Herzfelds original notes and the identification of a preserved section of the tomb on the outskirts of present day Khorramabad.

Painted pottery of the first half of the early bronze age (late 4(TH): first centuries of the 3(RD) millennium BC) in Luristan, W-Iran

The painted pottery of the first half of the Early Bronze Age in Luristan (Pusht-i Kuh and Pish-i Kuh) is rather badly documented. Most information comes from grave-contexts, although on the whole the information is limited. Two main categories are to be distinguished: a bichrome/polychrome as well as a monochrome group. There are distinct regions with a different pottery tradition. Evidence from Susa, Godin Tepe and other sites is included, as well as information provided by Mesopotamian sites. An attempt is being made to outline the regional diversity and a chronology is proposed.

BRONZE AND IRON AGE POTTERY FROM THE ILAM GRAVEYARD (PUSHT-I KUH, IRAN)

In 1976, Mr. Mahmoud Kordovani, of the Iranian Center for Archaeo- logical Research, conducted a rescue excavation in the town of Ilam, capital of the province with the same name. This region is known in archaeological literature as «Pusht-i Kuh». Several tombs were discovered. The oldest material belongs to the initial phase of the Early Bronze Age. The majority, however, can be attributed to the Iron Age, more particularly to phases IA and IIB in the chronology established by the Belgian Archaeological Mission in Pusht-i Kuh. Only a few objects belong to Iron Age III.

The Sasanian Rock Relief of Bahram II at Guyum (Fars, Iran)

The rock carving at Guyum is known since the early 20 th century but did not receive full attention yet. Situated to the north of Shiraz, it can be attrib- uted to the reign of the Sasanian king Bahram II. The panel depicts the standing king Bahram II in full, in a venerating position with bent forefi nger and holding a sword with his left hand. A detailed discussion is presented as well as several previously unpublished photographs.

Finds from Khatunban B: Badavar valley (Luristan) in the Iran Bastan Museum, Teheran

&In the 1970’s there were rumours that villagers were illegally excavating tombs at Khatunban in the Badavar valley of Luristan, some 25 km. south of Harsin. During these activities a rare decorated bronze horse-bit had been found (pl. 5). This object was confiscated and deposited in the Iran Bastan Museum, Teheran. The former ICAR or Iranian Center for Archaeological Research, planned rescue excavations at Khatunban and Mr. Ali Akbar Sarfaraz was dispatched in 1975 on behalf of the “Edareye Koll-e Hefazat-e Athar-e Bastani Iran”, the “Organisation for the Protection of Historical Monuments of Iran”. He excavated seven tombs and thirteen objects were later put on display during the annual exhibi