Archaeological Evidence of Oil and Petroleum Derivatives in Ancient Iran (Elamites to Sassanid)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD student, Department of Archaeology, Mazandaran University, Mazandaran, Iran.

2 Ph.D., Department of Archaeology, Mazandaran University, Mazandaran, Iran.

3 Ph.D., assistant professor and faculty member, Iranian Studies Foundation, Tehran, Iran.

10.22034/ias.2020.234441.1263

Abstract

Archaeological studies behold a significant position in the analysis and recognition of economic, social and cultural history in antiquity. The use of oil in Iran dates back to ancient times, in the meantime, archaeological evidence plays an important role in clarifying this issue. According to ancient Iranian sacred texts, the word oil is derived from the word Penta in the Avesta. The results of archeological excavations and the report of historians indicate that the inhabitants of the Iranian plateau have been familiar with oil since approximately seven thousand years BC. Thus, it is central to study the effect of oil and its derivatives on the cultural developments of ancient Iran in this specific period; hence, discovering and applying this natural raw material and its impact on the material, cultural, political, religious and economic effects of Iranian societies in this period is noteworthy study. The ancient period from the rule of the Elamites to the Sassanid period is an imperative part of the developments of ancient times, the study of how oil was used in this historical period can reveal important points about the use of oil in Iran. This research has been completed by a descriptive and analytical method and based on field studies and library resources. The method of data analysis has been qualitative and, in this regard, a historical approach has been used in data analysis. The results of studies show that oil was used for lighting, heat, mortar in buildings, bitumen ships, create decorative vessels and ornaments, treat diseases and many more usages. Most of the bitumen works obtained in Iran belong to the Elamites and Achaemenid civilizations.

Research aims:
1. A study of the history of oil use in ancient Iran.
2. Study of the effect of oil and its derivatives on the cultural developments of ancient Iran Elamites -Sassanid).

Research questions:
1. From what period and using what technical methods were obtained in ancient Iran from the first archeological works and evidences of oil exploitation and its derivatives?
2. The distribution and frequency of material effects of oil and its derivatives in which of the periods of ancient Iranian governments was more?

Keywords

References

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Islamic Art Studies
Volume 18, Issue 42 - Serial Number 42
February 2021
Pages 377-393

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