Abstract:
Sixth millennium BC Dalma ceramics from the northwestern and central Zagros have previously been described as being impossible to distinguish using decorative style analysis in spite of the great distance between the two regions. In this study, petrographic (thin section) analysis and a small-scale electron microprobe project was carried out on the ceramics of the two regions, as well as a small sample of the preceding and following Hajji Firuz and Pisdeli period ceramics.
The petrographic analysis of microstructure reveals minute differences in manufacturing techniques. The results suggest that the Dalma ceramics were a distinct ceramic group with a great degree of variability, suggesting that they were made locally at the household level by individual potters and their preferences for ceramic manufacturing techniques.
However, there was enough communication between the different regions to keep the stylistic and to a certain degree ceramic manufacturing technique uniform over this wide area. The analyses suggest that Dalma ceramics were spread by small groups of nomadic pastoralists who maintained a relationship with the agricultural Dalma villages. In this way,
petrographic analysis of ceramics and geospatial analysis allow for a better understanding of the distribution of Dalma ceramics, and suggest the role of nomadic populations in their spread
Machine summary:
Keywords: Ceramic petrography; Electron microprobe analysis; Dalma ceramics; Interaction; Nomadic migration Introduction This study aims to better understand the nature of interaction in the Zagros Mountains of western Iran during the sixth millennium BC through the material science analyses of Dalma ceramics.
It is in this context, during the sixth millennium BC, when we suddenly see IRANIAN JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDIES 2: 2 (2012) Petrographic Analysis of the 66 a widespread distribution of Dalma ceramics, the subject of this study, characterized by a distinctive decorative style.
The slips tend to be quite thick IRANIAN JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDIES 2: 2 (2012) 67 Yukiko Tonoike (View the image of this page) Fig. 1: Dalma Ceramic Distribution and Related Historically Known Routes.
IRANIAN JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDIES 2: 2 (2012) Petrographic Analysis of the 76 This site distribution pattern in relationship to the probable migration routes support the suggested interpretation that a village-based form of seasonal migration accounted for the distribution of the Dalma ceramics, especially for the northwestern and central Zagros sites with Dalma Painted wares.
In addition, I would like to thank Drs. William Honeychurch, Elizabeth (deceased) and Robert Henrickson, Peter Day, Mary Voigt and her trusty team at the University of Pennsylvania Museum, Michael Gregg, Bill Pratt and all of the others at the Royal Ontario Museum, Laurent Bonneau, Maria Masucci, Fereydoun Biglari, Adam Smith, Giulio Palumbi, Thomas Tartaron, James Eckert and Mr. Abraham Parrish, for their generous assistance and advice on various aspects of this research.