A Preliminary Report of Excavations at Aveh Plain,Islamic period

Abstract

Aveh archaeological site, which has prepared the necessary background for the archaeological studies<br />after having been identified and registered, is located in Saveh Plain, and it is one of the less-known sites<br />in the Iranian Central Plateau. The chronological sequence of this site extends from prehistoric periods<br />till Timurid time. It is worth mentioning that here, except for the Islamic settlements, neither prehistoric<br />nor historic settlements are of big proportions. Our subject settlement developed so much in size over the<br />middle Islamic centuries reaching its zenith in Ilkhanid period. According to the archeological excavations<br />conducted by Tarbiat Modares University team at this site, its significant archaeological materials such as<br />ceramics have been found and documented. In 684 A.H. the luster tiles were discovered in this area being<br />the first particular scientific indicator proving this site is an Ilkhanid one. Through performing numerous<br />field works, the authors could determine Aveh town's basic structure including arg (citadel), sharestan<br />(peripheral areas of the city center), and rabaz (outskirts and farmlands which are farther than the main<br />urban parts of the city/town) which were generally similar to the other royal/ ruling Ilkhanid towns. On<br />the other hand, the discovery of potsherds as well as luster tiles in this area showed the artistic and cultural<br />power of the artists residing here. Through laboratory works and electronic microprobe method, the authors<br />also found out that the important particles of the clay in Aveh besides its richness, which both make the soil<br />very suitable for making luster wares, existed in the area. All the previously-mentioned facts as well as the<br />decoration, designs, and motifs applied on luster wares make us consider Aveh as a center for making luster<br />ware and producing style . The present study was done using a description - method in addition library<br />studies , field and laboratory works.