- Prehistoric Archaeology, Ancient Iran, Ancient Craftmanship (Archaeology), Ancient Technology (Archaeology), Neolithic Archaeology, Ceramics (Archaeology), and 28 moreEthnoarchaeology, Pottery (Archaeology), Taphonomy, Pottery technology and function, Craft production (Archaeology), Sumerian Religion, Early Dynastic Sumer, Royal ideology in the ancient Near East, Ancient Cosmetics, Ancient Dentistry, Indus Valley, Greek Bronze Statuary, Cottage Industry, Indus Valley Civilization, South Asian Archaeology, Residue Analysis (Archaeology), Ancient techniques, Iranian Archaeology, Ancient Near East, Near Eastern Archaeology, Iran Archaeology, Development of complex societies, Ancient Metallurgy, Ancient Near East (Archaeology), Archaeology of Central Asia, Assyriology, Indus Valley (Pakistan) Prehistory and Protohistory, and Media Studiesedit
By sequencing 523 ancient humans, we show that the primary source of ancestry in modern South Asians is a prehistoric genetic gradient between people related to early hunter-gatherers of Iran and Southeast Asia. After the Indus Valley... more
By sequencing 523 ancient humans, we show that the primary source of ancestry in modern South Asians is a prehistoric genetic gradient between people related to early hunter-gatherers of Iran and Southeast Asia. After the Indus Valley Civilization’s decline, its people mixed with individuals in the southeast to form one of the two main ancestral populations of South Asia, whose direct descendants live in southern India. Simultaneously, they mixed with descendants of Steppe pastoralists who, starting around 4000 years ago, spread via Central Asia to form the other main ancestral population. The Steppe ancestry in South Asia has the same profile as that in Bronze Age Eastern Europe, tracking a movement of people that affected both regions and that likely spread the distinctive features shared between Indo-Iranian and Balto-Slavic languages.
Research Interests: Genetics, Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Human Evolution, Iranian Archaeology, and 15 moreCentral Asian Studies, Eurasian Nomads, Archaeogenetics, Bronze Age Archaeology, Central Asia, Ancient DNA Research, Multidisciplinary, BMAC Archaeology, Indus Valley Civilization, Central Asian Archaeology, aDNA Analysis, Early Neolithic, Archaeology of the Eurasian steppe belt, Andronovo, and Obstacles of Human Capital Formation
This paper deals with a unique artefact currently on exhibit at the archaeological Museum of Jiroft (Kerman, Iran), a large-sized copper or bronze staff inlaid with shell mosaics of contrasting colours. Unfortunately, as it was... more
This paper deals with a unique artefact currently on exhibit at the archaeological Museum of Jiroft (Kerman, Iran), a large-sized copper or bronze staff inlaid with shell mosaics of contrasting colours. Unfortunately, as it was confiscated with many other objects by the Iranian security forces from illegal excavators, nothing is known of the whereabouts or context of its discovery. It might be one of the largest copper artefacts ever found in Bronze Age sites of the eastern Iranian Plateau. Because of its form, such a unusually elaborated, costly and visually imposing staff must have performed a highly formal symbolic function, hence the hypothetical label of “royal sceptre” proposed in the title. The authors attempt a reconstruction of the original form and manufacturing sequence of this large artefact, discussing its role in the poorly known landscape of the protohistoric metallurgy of south-eastern Iran.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Near Eastern Archaeology, Iranian Archaeology, Iranian Studies, History of Iran, and 15 moreMetallurgy, Bronze Age Archaeology, Iranian History, Ancient Near East, Iran, History and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East, Ancient Metallurgy, Bronze Age, Metal Casting, Iran Archaeology, Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Ancient Mining and Metallurgy, Konar Sandal, Jiroft, and Jiroft Persian ancient civilisation
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Minerals and Archaeometry
Research Interests:
Analytical methods based on particle accelerators are widely used in cultural heritage diagnostics and archaeological sciences from the absolute dating of organic materials by means of radiocarbon accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) to... more
Analytical methods based on particle accelerators are widely used in cultural heritage diagnostics and archaeological sciences from the absolute dating of organic materials by means of radiocarbon accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) to the analysis of the elemental composition of a wide range of materials (metals, obsidians, pottery) via ion beam analysis (IBA) techniques. At CEDAD (Centre for Dating and Diagnostics), the accelerator facility of the University of Salento, AMS 14C dating and PIXE (particle-induced X-ray emission)-PIGE (particle-induced gamma-ray emission) compositional analysis in external beam mode are combined to study certain archaeological materials. We present a review of the combined application of these analytical methods in the study of casting cores of the Riace bronzes, 2 classical Greek statues of extraordinary importance for the history of art.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Polychrome and bichrome wares, mainlyfound at Shahr-i Sokhta (Sistan, Iran) and Mundigak (Kandahar, Afghanistan) across the relative sequences of the 3rd millennium BC may be distinguished from more common wares by the post-firing... more
Polychrome and bichrome wares, mainlyfound at Shahr-i Sokhta (Sistan, Iran) and Mundigak (Kandahar, Afghanistan) across the relative sequences of the 3rd millennium BC may be distinguished from more common wares by the post-firing paintingin various ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
There is no written information (excluding the scarce information from the Inventory book, under the entry'Varia'), in the Missions records, about the circumstances of the discovery of the two stones from Panr(Jambil... more
There is no written information (excluding the scarce information from the Inventory book, under the entry'Varia'), in the Missions records, about the circumstances of the discovery of the two stones from Panr(Jambil Valley, Swat, Pakistan). Nobody knows or remembers ...
Research Interests:
... Making and using ceramics: on the role of technical events in the generation of functional types. Autores: Francesca Lugli, Massimo Vidale; Localización: Origini: Preistoria e protostoria delle civiltà antiche, ISSN 0474-6805, Nº 20,... more
... Making and using ceramics: on the role of technical events in the generation of functional types. Autores: Francesca Lugli, Massimo Vidale; Localización: Origini: Preistoria e protostoria delle civiltà antiche, ISSN 0474-6805, Nº 20, 1996 , pág. 353. Fundación Dialnet. ...
Biblioteca de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Base de datos de artículos de revistas, ...
... Arqueología urbana en el valle del Indo. Autores: Massimo Vidale; Localización: Arqueología : paseos virtuales por civilizaciones desaparecidas, 1996, ISBN 84-253-2959-0 , págs. 190-197. Fundación Dialnet. Acceso de usuarios... more
... Arqueología urbana en el valle del Indo. Autores: Massimo Vidale; Localización: Arqueología : paseos virtuales por civilizaciones desaparecidas, 1996, ISBN 84-253-2959-0 , págs. 190-197. Fundación Dialnet. Acceso de usuarios registrados. ...
RefDoc Bienvenue - Welcome. Refdoc est un service / is powered by. ...
Research Interests:
... La Rivoluzione Urbana e la specializzazione artigianale in Eurasia a 50 anni dalla morte di VG Childe. Autores: Massimo Vidale; Localización: Rivista di scienze preistoriche, ISSN 0035-6514, Nº. 57, 2007 , págs. 399-416. Fundación... more
... La Rivoluzione Urbana e la specializzazione artigianale in Eurasia a 50 anni dalla morte di VG Childe. Autores: Massimo Vidale; Localización: Rivista di scienze preistoriche, ISSN 0035-6514, Nº. 57, 2007 , págs. 399-416. Fundación Dialnet. Acceso de usuarios registrados. ...
Cet article présente une reconstitution des techniques employées par les fabricant de perles de Mehrgarh(Pakistan) au 5 e millénaire av. J.-C. pour la production de perles discoïdes en stéatite. La matière première a été identifiée par... more
Cet article présente une reconstitution des techniques employées par les fabricant de perles de Mehrgarh(Pakistan) au 5 e millénaire av. J.-C. pour la production de perles discoïdes en stéatite. La matière première a été identifiée par microscopie électronique à balayage ...
Research Interests:
This paper presents a detailed analysis of the iconography carved on a cylinder seal found in a metallurgical site within the archaeological complex of Konar Sandal South, near Jiroft, in the Halil river valley of the Kerman province,... more
This paper presents a detailed analysis of the iconography carved on a cylinder seal found in a metallurgical site within the archaeological complex of Konar Sandal South, near Jiroft, in the Halil river valley of the Kerman province, south-eastern Iran. This seal is made of a whitish marble and – even if heavily worn by use – it retains traces of different animal figures. These animals represent the translation into local style of a rare but characteristic iconography found in the seal production of the Indus Civilization. The merging into a single seal of different animals, some of which clearly belong to the standard animal series of the Indus seals, might have provided the owner with a special authority that allowed him/her to hold different administrative functions. Moreover, the discovery at Konar Sandal South of a cylinder seal bearing an Indus-related iconography might further testify to the direct interest of Indus merchants and probably craftsmen in trade exchanges with a major early urban site in south-eastern Iran.
Research Interests:
This paper reports on the cooperative work of the Department of Radiology of the Catholic University, Rome, and of the Italian Institute for Middle and Far East. The study was aimed at using xeroradiography and digital luminescence... more
This paper reports on the cooperative work of the Department of Radiology of the Catholic University, Rome, and of the Italian Institute for Middle and Far East. The study was aimed at using xeroradiography and digital luminescence radiography for the archeometric evaluation of ancient ceramics and at assessing the imaging potentials of the two techniques. Some manufacturing techniques are reported which were used in the ancient world and societies for pottery making--i.e., coil building (the superimposition of clay rings), paddle and anvil beating and throwing of the wheel. Such techniques leave, on the vessel's wall, clear traces which can be detected by X-ray imaging. After discussing the main semiologic features, we present 4 case studies from the project archive. Each vase underwent xeroradiography and digital luminescence radiography. The former technique was useful in detailing minor phase transitions--e.g., pores and inclusions--while the latter, thanks to both its wide ...
Research Interests:
Abstract: Ten crucible fragments collected at a single location on the surface of Altyn-Depe, most probably datable to the second half of the 3rd millennium BC, have been studied and analysed by the means of different techniques. The... more
Abstract: Ten crucible fragments collected at a single location on the surface of Altyn-Depe, most probably datable to the second half of the 3rd millennium BC, have been studied and analysed by the means of different techniques. The research provides new information on Middle ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
In Indus urban sites, monumental buildings (with famous exceptions such as the ‘Great Bath’ at Mohenjo-Daro or the ‘Granary’ at Harappa) are often difficult to distinguish from surrounding constructions, and their functions remain quite... more
In Indus urban sites, monumental buildings (with famous exceptions such as the ‘Great Bath’ at Mohenjo-Daro or the ‘Granary’ at Harappa) are often difficult to distinguish from surrounding constructions, and their functions remain quite uncertain. Ninety years ago archaeologists failed to appreciate the complex interlocking among ancient floors and trampling surfaces, wall foundations and earthen fillings created by continuous rebuilding.
Research Interests:
This paper presents an analysis and interpretation of the so-called Harappan chimaera, one of the most peculiar and elaborate iconographies of Indus Civilization (c. 2600-1900 BCE). It is represented on many stamp seals of fired steatite... more
This paper presents an analysis and interpretation of the so-called Harappan chimaera, one of the most peculiar and elaborate iconographies of Indus Civilization (c. 2600-1900 BCE). It is represented on many stamp seals of fired steatite and corresponding clay sealings, terracotta tablets in bas-relief, copper tablets, and tokens. The Harappan chimaera was composed of body parts derived from different animals, as well as humans and other fantastic beings of the Indus imagination. A detailed documentation and description of all the objects bearing chimaeras makes it possible to recognize not only a basic set of regular combinations and some aspects of their possible change in time, but also visual associations among selected parts of the chimaera% body that could be perceived and semantically interpreted at different levels. We believe that the sophisticated structure of these images fully deserves to be considered an early form of `hypertext', following definitions currently used in computer sciences. We conclude by relating the evidence and its cognitive background to other spheres of the early urban societies in the Indus basin.
Research Interests:
Cet article offre une description de l'industrie du lapis lazuli mise au jour par la mission archéologique française de Mehrgarh, en surface du site MR2 (4e millénaire av. J.-C). Cette découverte représente l'un... more
Cet article offre une description de l'industrie du lapis lazuli mise au jour par la mission archéologique française de Mehrgarh, en surface du site MR2 (4e millénaire av. J.-C). Cette découverte représente l'un des plus anciens assemblages de perles en lapis lazuli d'Asie du sud et témoigne du ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
RefDoc Bienvenue - Welcome. Refdoc est un service / is powered by. ...
Research Interests:
The present paper deals with a prehistoric megalithic monument. This is a very ambiguous pieceof evidence, because it can be interpreted in two opposite ways. Accordingto a first possible view, it might be the output of a random process... more
The present paper deals with a prehistoric megalithic monument. This is a very ambiguous pieceof evidence, because it can be interpreted in two opposite ways. Accordingto a first possible view, it might be the output of a random process without any precise meaning, inspired by ...
Research Interests:
This article discusses the identity of the people buried in the Great Death Pit PG 1237, a mass grave of the Royal Cemetery of Ur, and the ways they died and entered the shaft. Admittedly, the evidence required to positively solve the... more
This article discusses the identity of the people buried in the Great Death Pit PG 1237, a mass grave of the Royal Cemetery of Ur, and the ways they died and entered the shaft. Admittedly, the evidence required to positively solve the many taphonomic and osteological questions involved does not exist, because of the way the site was excavated and published in the early twentieth century. Nonetheless, the original excavators’ skill and unquestioned care in mapping and recording still prepares the ground for new alternative interpretations. As the ‘Rams Caught in a Thicket’ (two statuettes found in the mass grave) may have been the front parts of lyres, and almost all the dead might have entered the shaft impersonating musicians, singers and dancers, the paramount importance of music in the funerals of Sumerian elites is emphasized. New radiographic evidence recently suggested that some of the buried persons were killed violently, refuting the traditional theory of a voluntary mass su...
Research Interests:
RefDoc Bienvenue - Welcome. Refdoc est un service / is powered by. ...
Research Interests:
RefDoc Bienvenue - Welcome. Refdoc est un service / is powered by. ...
Research Interests:
L'examen et l'analyse chimique de fragments de céramique contenant de la stéatite et des matières vitrifiées provenant de Chanhu Daro montrent que la fabrication des céramiques à l'époque harappéenne dépendait de la... more
L'examen et l'analyse chimique de fragments de céramique contenant de la stéatite et des matières vitrifiées provenant de Chanhu Daro montrent que la fabrication des céramiques à l'époque harappéenne dépendait de la présence de stéatite utilisée en pyrotechnologie
Since his discovery in 1991 the iceman has been widely seen as meeting a dramatic end – mortally wounded by an arrow shot while attempting to flee through an Alpine pass. A careful study of all the located grave goods, here planned... more
Since his discovery in 1991 the iceman has been widely seen as meeting a dramatic end – mortally wounded by an arrow shot while attempting to flee through an Alpine pass. A careful study of all the located grave goods, here planned comprehensively for the first time, points strongly towards the scene as one of a ceremonial burial, subsequently dispersed by thawing and gravity. The whole assemblage thus takes on another aspect – not a casual tragedy but a mortuary statement of its day.
Research Interests: Archaeology and Antiquity
We present here the results of the excavation in 2003 of the most furnished grave found in Spidej (grave 125), in Eastern Jazmurian area (Iranian Baluchistan). Probably dated around 3000 BC (3200-2800 BC), it displays a funer-ary... more
We present here the results of the excavation in 2003 of the most furnished grave found in Spidej (grave 125), in Eastern Jazmurian area (Iranian Baluchistan). Probably dated around 3000 BC (3200-2800 BC), it displays a funer-ary assemblage of 59 pottery, copper-alloy and stone artefacts mostly unknown up to now, except for the very partially published excavation in Bampur 14 / Saidabad led by Mehdi Rahbar in 2003.
Research Interests: Iranian Archaeology, Bronze Age of Iran and the Indus valley, Theoretical Archaeology, Indo-Iranian Cultures and Civilisations, Bronze Age of Iran, and Iranian archaeology(Bronze age, Late iron age), Archaeology of elam,Median archaeology and history, Achaemenid art and architecture, Parthian archaeology and art, Sasanian empire.
A growing body of archaeological evidence and new theoretical approaches to the formation of early states support the application of the term ‘heterarchies’ to the power systems that ruled the polycentric urban compounds of the Indus... more
A growing body of archaeological evidence and new theoretical approaches to the formation of early states support the application of the term ‘heterarchies’ to the power systems that ruled the polycentric urban compounds of the Indus Civilization (ca. 2600-1900 BC). Their peculiar societal organization might be linked to anomalous and still poorly understood forms of territorial control, as well as to a close dependence upon the vagaries of long-distance trade in valuable base materials and commodities. Some aspects of a ‘maritime mode of production’ (Ling et al. 2018) might also have been in play. Reference to the urban evolution and heterarchical system of government of medieval and late medieval Genoa (ca. 1000-1500 AD), a maritime republic whose political evolution and (in part) economic grounds show points of convergence, suggests that Indus Bronze age heterarchies might have had similarly flexible government agendas, and were
Research Interests:
This is the chemico-physical examination of 13 samples collected from the early 2nd millennium BC Linear Elamite inscribed silver gunagi vessels of the Mahboubian collection (see Desset; preceding paper). Chemical composition of the... more
This is the chemico-physical examination of 13 samples collected from the early 2nd millennium BC Linear Elamite inscribed silver gunagi vessels of the Mahboubian collection (see Desset; preceding paper). Chemical composition of the silver-copper alloys as well as their physical microstructure are considered here.