St John Simpson (ed.). Sasanian Archaeology: Settlements, Environment and Material Culture
St John Simpson (ed.). Sasanian Archaeology: Settlements, Environment and Material Culture. Oxford: Archaeopress, 2022, 538p., ISBN 9781803274195 (paperback), ISBN 9781803274195 (ebook)
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1The book begins with a general introduction by the editor, comprises three parts divided into 19 chapters. Each section includes a brief introduction providing relevant textual and archaeological background (p. 21-46, 178-191, 239-254) by the editor. The volume addresses key archaeological issues on sites, landscapes, agricultural economy, and material culture. The contributions vary in approach, providing a diverse exploration of Sasanian archaeology.
2St John Simpson's general introduction to the book provides a comprehensive overview of the Sasanian Empire and the challenges in studying its history and material culture. Simpson emphasizes the importance of archaeological sources and their relative neglect among non-archaeologists. He highlights the different stages of Sasanian Archaeology from the 1920s to recent decades and adds that the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the Iran–Iraq war disrupted foreign archaeological projects in Iran, redirecting attention to eastern Arabia. However, discoveries continued in the southern Caucasus and Central Asia, shedding light on Sasanian activities in these regions. The interpretation of archaeological data is subject to contemporary paradigms, and the need for syntheses of data and cautious interpretation is emphasized.
3Part One contains eight chapters by a range of scholars about various Sasanian sites, settlements, and landscapes, from the Deh Lurān Plain in South-West Iran to the Moqān Steppe in North-West Iran. The essays detail the colonization, fortresses, and cities on the empire's northern frontiers, offering a glimpse into the unique challenges and opportunities presented by these regions. The section also touches on the agricultural landscapes in the Serak̠s Oasis in Southern Turkmenistan and the recently excavated Sasanian site of Tole Qaleh Seyfābād in South-West of Fars in Iran (voir le cr dans AbstIr 45, Rubrique 3.2.3., n° 8), shedding light on the intricate dynamics of these areas. Additionally, the transformation of the maritime trade network in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean is explored, providing a multifaceted view of the empire's expansive territories.
4Part Two consists of four chapters by diverse authors and delves into the empire's use of environmental resources. It opens with an analysis of charcoal and wood in fuel residues, exploring the implications of wood resources in Sasanian and early Islamic cities, such as Merv. Further essays examine the exploitation of wood in Kuš, Sasanian archaeofaunas from the Hamrin Basin, and fracture patterns amongst Sasanian bones. This section offers valuable insights into the environmental and resource-related aspects of the empire.
5Part Three consists of seven chapters by a variety of contributors, all devoted to material cultures. This section sets the stage for an exploration of Sasanian pottery, its production, circulation, and diachronic changes. It also delves into innovations in Kušāno-Sasanian pottery, the pottery and occupation of the Deh Lurān Plain, and the enigmatic incantation bowls that provide a glimpse into the empire's inter-communal relations. The book then takes a closer look at Sasanian glass, its dating, and the analysis of Sasanian swords and scabbards in the British Museum.
6The general conclusion by St John Simpson summarises the essential findings and emphasises the need for a new archaeological and scientific approach to our understanding of the Sasanian Empire.
7In summary, this book provides a profound and well-rounded exploration of the empire, shedding light on its lesser-known aspects. The combination of archaeological and scientific research presented in this collection of essays is a valuable addition to the study of Late Antiquity, enriching our understanding of the Sasanian Empire's complexity and power.
8We express our gratitude to the editor, whose expertise in the field of Sasanian archaeology makes this valuable contribution particularly noteworthy.
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Référence électronique
Parsa Ghasemi, « St John Simpson (ed.). Sasanian Archaeology: Settlements, Environment and Material Culture », Abstracta Iranica [En ligne], Volume 45 | 2023, document 14, mis en ligne le 30 novembre 2023, consulté le 23 juin 2025. URL : http://journals.openedition.org/abstractairanica/56472 ; DOI : https://doi.org/10.4000/abstractairanica.56472
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