A Preliminary Report of Excavations at Aveh Plain, Islamic Period

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