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A distinctive red ceramic known as Cheshmeh Ali Ware, which dates to the Transitional Chalcolithic period (c. 5200–4300 BC), has been found at sites on the Central Plateau in northern Iran, stretching from the Gorgan plain in the east to the Qazvin plain in the west. Geochemical and petrographic analyses were performed on samples collected from sites in the Qazvin and Tehran plains to investigate the mode of production and distribution. The results suggest local rather than centralised production of Cheshmeh Ali Ware ceramic vessels. Using discriminant analyses, geochemical groupings have been established that differentiate samples of vessels from the two plains, and also samples from different sites within the Qazvin plain. This has significance for our understanding of the mode and scale of ceramic production and distribution in this important formative period.

Landlord villages played a major role in rural life for many centuries in the Tehran Plain and many other parts of Iran. Although they are now abandoned, they were occupied within living memory, and thus offer the opportunity for study as an historical archaeology project, with a methodology that draws together analysis of standing buildings, oral testimony, excavation and, in the future, historical records. These analyses allow us to begin to consider issues such as social hierarchies and relationships, identity and activities within the villages. This article discusses the results of the fieldwork to date and explores the potential for Historical Archaeology projects in Iran.

Two further seasons of excavations at Tepe Pardis and survey in the Tehran Plain were undertaken in 2006 and 2007. The former exposed over 70 square metres of mudbrick structures dating to the Transitional Chalcolithic, including five kilns. The presence of these kilns, in association with a terracotta slow wheel, confirms the presence of a highly specialised production site. We have also confirmed the presence of kiln debris on the southern side of the mound, suggesting that the industrial zone encapsulated much of the mound. The importance of Tepe Pardis was further confirmed by the discovery of a badly damaged Iron Age cemetery to the north of the main site. Our geoarchaeological exploration of the quarry continued with the logging of a number of large natural water courses, enhancing our understanding of Tepe Pardis' ancient landscape. Finally, a further season of settlement survey was undertaken at the edge of the desert south-east of Pishva.

An archaeological survey of the plain of Tehran was begun in August 2003, marking the initiation of the second phase of collaborative research between Durham University, the University of Bradford, the University of Leicester, the University of Tehran and the Iranian Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organisation (ICHTO). The survey was launched with three main aims. Firstly, to pilot the collection of data regarding the frequency, distribution, density and condition of sites from the terminal Palaeolithic c. 8000 B.C., through the Late Chalcolithic c. 3000 B.C. to the present. Secondly, to provide a basis from which to select prehistoric sites for detailed survey and test excavation in order to enhance the absolute chronology of the Tehran plain. Finally, to begin to assess the archaeological landscape background to these changes in the light of geomorphological analysis. In the summer of 2004, we continued this work during a second season and recorded a total of 123 archaeological sites, including 14 previously unkown Chalcolithic sites. One of the larger Chalcolithic sites to be identified in our first season, Tepe Pardis, was also excavated in 2004 in order to enhance the absolute chronology for the plain, and has generated dates of c. 5300 B.C. for the Late Neolithic/Transitional Chalcolithic interface (Fig. 1). Finally, our new survey data has reconfirmed our earlier findings that this non-renewable cultural resourcxe is unbder substantial pressure from farming, building and illicit excavations.

Generations of Mesopotamian archaeologists, looking at Iran as if through the wrong end of a telescope, have tended to contrast the developed and urbanized centres of their early riverine civilizations with what they assumed were the sparsely populated and undeveloped resource areas of highland Iran. (Beale 1973: 133)

Preliminary investigation of lithic assemblages from six late prehistoric sites on the Tehran Plain provides numerous insights into the production, distribution, use and craft specialisation of fla...

This paper presents the observation of lipid residue, identified as beeswax, preserved in the ceramic matrix of a Late Chalcolithic (c. 3700–3000 BC) bevelled-rim bowl (BRB) from the site of Tepe Sofalin on the Tehran Plain. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to separate and identify the lipid constituents preserved in the matrix of a BRB sherd. Lipid biomarkers were recovered including long-chain n-alkanes, n-alkenes, palmitic wax monoesters, fatty acids and n-alcohols characteristic of beeswax. In addition to two disaccharides, cholesterol and β-sitosterol as contaminants were retrieved by solvent soluble extraction from a number of different locations from the ceramic matrix of the analysed sherd.