Publications
Akhaİmenİd Dönemİnde Yol Ağlari
During the Achaemenid Empire (550–330 BCE), a vast network of roads was strategically developed to facilitate governance and connectivity across its extensive territories. These 'Royal Roads' linked key capitals such as Susa, Persepolis, Pasargad, Hegmataneh, Sardes, and Babylon, while secondary routes connected peripheral regions. The study reveals that the empire maintained existing roads, constructed new ones, and established rest stations along them to provide supplies for travelers, including food, water, and horses, alongside military personnel for security. By synthesizing written records and archaeological evidence, this research reconstructs the planning and functionality of Achaemenid road infrastructure, offering insights into its administrative efficiency and logistical organization.
Archaeology and the ancient names of the old cities under Sulaimani in the light of the cuneiform & Classical records and the archaeological evidence
A re-evaluation of historical and archaeological evidence challenges the long-held identification of modern Sulaimani with the ancient city of Celonae, mentioned by Roman historian Quintus Curtius Rufus. The study suggests that Celonae was likely located in the northern edges of Garmian district within the Qaradagh ranges, based on Alexander the Great's documented route and Assyrian royal inscriptions referring to a mountain called Siluna. Additionally, the paper dismisses other proposed identifications for Sulaimani, such as Arrakdi (capital of Zamuan Lullubu) or Lagalaga, citing inconsistencies with cuneiform records and geographical evidence. Archaeological findings in Sulaimani, including Ubaid potsherds, Jamdet-Nasr seals, and human skulls, indicate a settlement dating back to the 5th-4th millennium BCE, providing new insights into the region's ancient history.
Decontextualization and the Search for Origins: A Persian Architectural Fragment in the Ackland Art Museum
A Persian architectural fragment, acquired by the Ackland Art Museum in 1998, has been recontextualized through comparative analysis with similar fragments from major Euro-American collections and the Hegmataneh Hill Museum in Hamadan, Iran. This study challenges the museum's emphasis on aesthetic qualities by examining the fragment as part of a broader network of architectural pieces, rather than an isolated decontextualized object. The research approach involves cross-collection analysis to trace origins and reconstruct historical context, providing new insights into Persian architectural heritage beyond conventional narratives.
Parthian Burials in the Hamedan City, Western Iran
Archaeological excavations at Tepe Hegmataneh in Hamedan, western Iran, have uncovered 14 Parthian burial sites, revealing diverse burial practices. These include both coffin and non-coffin burials, with the latter being simple dug graves or pits, often associated with the Stone Lion cemetery. Coffin burials feature clay caskets shaped like boats, humanoid forms, or rectangular stone coffins, most of which are empty. Burials are oriented northeast-southwest, with skeletons positioned in open arched postures facing right, left, or straight, covered by thin stone slabs. Notably, many of these burials were discovered accidentally during construction, highlighting the potential for further archaeological insights in Hamedan's historical landscape.
Rémy Boucharlat. « Les traces archéologiques des palais achéménides de Hamadan »
Archaeological evidence suggests the existence of Achaemenid palaces in Hamadan, supported by numerous stone fragments, including column bases and capitals. However, excavations at Tepe Hegmataneh, a site northeast of modern Hamadan, have not uncovered royal Achaemenid quarters. Instead, these fragments are now recognized as relics from the Parthian period, indicating that the true center of Achaemenid activity remains to be identified. The study relies on thorough analysis of architectural remnants and their historical context to challenge previous assumptions about the location and nature of Achaemenid palaces in the region.
A Review of Gender and Estimate of Age the Human Skeleton (Case Study: The Human Skeleton ofKorijan of Kabudarahang in Hegmataneh Museum)
A study of the human skeleton from Korijan of Kabudarahang, housed in Hegmataneh Museum, reveals significant insights into gender and age estimation techniques. Researchers analyzed skeletal remains to determine biological sex and approximate age, employing morphological and metric methods. The findings contribute to understanding past populations' demographic characteristics, particularly in the context of UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Hegmataneh, which holds archaeological significance. This case study highlights the importance of skeletal analysis in reconstructing historical human life, providing a foundation for further anthropological research.
Masoud Azarnoush, Ali Sharifi, Ali Hozhabri. « Bāznegari gāhnegāri nesbi va motlaq tepe Hegmatāneh, barāsās yāfteh-ha va netāyakh āzmāyesh garmāliān va rādiokarbon/ Revising the Relative and Absolute Chronology of Tepe Hegmataneh, Hamadan, Iran : Based on the Finds and the Results of Thermo-Luminescent and Radiocarbon Dating »
A significant revision of the chronology for Tepe Hegmataneh, Iran, establishes that its grand Parthian architectural level dates definitively to the middle-to-late Parthian period, spanning the first few centuries CE and potentially extending into the early 4th century. This conclusion was reached through precise stratigraphic analyses conducted between 2004 and 2007 by Masoud Azarnoush, complemented by thermoluminescence and radiocarbon dating of recovered materials. The study resolves earlier uncertainties by combining relative and absolute dating methods, providing a robust framework for understanding the site's historical timeline.
Preliminary Report of 16th Season of Excavations at Tepe Hegmataneh; Hamedan
New archaeological evidence from Tepe Hegmataneh challenges long-held assumptions about its historical attribution. Excavations in the 16th season uncovered architectural structures that, based on thermoluminescence dating, are unlikely to belong to the Medes and require reconsideration of their Parthian affiliation. The study explored four 100 m² squares (AJ45, AJ46, AK45, AK46), revealing a suite of spaces—including passages and complete rooms—consistent with earlier plans but distinct in depth and structure. This finding sheds light on the site's complex history and its significance within Hamedan's archaeological landscape.
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