Tepe Sagzabad
Archaeological site of Tepe Sagzabad | |
Tepe Sagzabad Shown within Iran | |
| Alternative name | Tepe Segzabad, Sagz Abad, Qareh Tepe |
|---|---|
| Location | Qazvin province, Iran |
| Coordinates | 35°48′59″N 49°57′10″E / 35.8163°N 49.9527°E |
| Area | 14 hectares |
| History | |
| Periods | Chalcolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age |
| Site notes | |
| Excavation dates | 1970-1974, 2016 |
| Archaeologists | Yousef Majidzadeh |
Tepe Sagzabad (also spelled Segzabad, Segazabad, Sagz Abad, Saqz Abad) is a significant archaeological mound on the Qazvin Plain of north-central Iran near the modern town of Sagezabad. It is known for its extensive remains from the Chalcolithic, Bronze, Iron, and Achaemenid periods. It is a key part of the Sagzabad archaeological complex, which is a larger cluster of prehistoric sites that also includes Tepe Zagheh and Tepe Ghabristan.[1]
Tepe Sagzabad is also known in archaeological literature as Qareh Tape (also spelled Qara Tepe, Ghareh Tappeh).
Archaeological deposits at the site span approximately 9 meters, indicating thousands of years of settlement. Tepe Sagzabad plays an important role in understanding the Central Iranian Plateau’s ancient human settlements, and offers valuable insights into the region’s sociocultural and technological development over this long period.
Tepe Sagzabad is situated in a strategic location serving as a vital crossroads for the movement of people, goods, and ideas between the East and West.
Exploration
Excavations have been conducted at the site since the 1970s by the University of Tehran and international scholars.[2]
The site spans approximately 14 hectares, and it rises about 5 meters above the surrounding plain. In ancient times, it was located near the Hajji'Arab River.
Recent excavations since 2016 have uncovered a major cemetery on the eastern side of the mound dating to the late 2nd millennium and early 1st millennium BC.
Over 40 faience cylinder seals have been discovered; they display both local and Neo-Assyrian styles, and demonstrate the local and regional adaptation of the Assyrian empire influences.[3][4]
Distinctive pottery vessels have been discovered at Tepe Sagzabad that may have served as distillation vessels; they are dated to the Iron Age III period. Iron Age II and III periods in this area are generally dated to 1100-550 BCE. The vessels feature oval bodies, closed-head form and spouts, and share similarities with ancient distillation apparatuses (alembics). This suggests early experimentation with distillation and complex processing practices.[5][6]
Iran had a long term cultural tradition of producing rosewater and essential oils by using distillation, and these vessels share some similarities with the traditional vessels used for these purposes.[6]
Current conditions
The site has unfortunately suffered damage from illegal excavations and looting over the years; this has complicated research efforts. The local municipality has worked to preserve and display some of the significant findings.
See also
References
- ^ Maghsoudi, Mehran; Simpson, Ian A.; Kourampas, Nikos; Nashli, Hassan Fazeli (2014). "Archaeological sediments from settlement mounds of the Sagzabad Cluster, central Iran: Human-induced deposition on an arid alluvial plain". Quaternary International. 324: 67–83. doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2013.10.057. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
- ^ E. O. Negahban, "Preliminary Report of Qazvin Expedition: Excavation of Zaghe, Qabrestan, Sagzabad, 1971-1972", Marlik 2. Journal of the Institute and Department of Archaeology. Faculty of Letters and Humanities, Teheran, 1977, pp. 26-44, fig. 45-64, 1977
- ^ Dehpahlavan, Mostafa; Alinezhad, Zahra (2024-07-02). "The Cylinder Seals of Qareh Tepe in Sagzabad, Iron Age II and III". Iran. 62 (2): 194–208. doi:10.1080/05786967.2022.2058409. ISSN 0578-6967. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
- ^ AS Mucheshi 2012, Studying, Introducing and Comparing Seals from Settlement Areas and Cemeteries of the Iron Age I-II in Northern Region of Central Iranian Plateau. The International Journal of Humanities, 2012 - eijh.modares.ac.ir
- ^ M. Ghaleh 2023, Identifying the Use of Iron Age Pottery From Tepe Sagzabad (Iran): Results From the First Analysis of Pottery Residues. (Abstract) CERAMICS MATTER: 16TH EDITION OF THE EUROPEAN MEETING ON ANCIENT CERAMICS.
- ^ a b Ghaleh, Mona Bagheri; Eftekhari, Negar; Pahlavan, Mostafa Deh; Vaccaro, Carmela (2025). "Exploring Early Distillation Hypotheses: Investigating Unique Pottery from Tepe Sagzabad on the Central Iranian Plateau (Iron Age)". Archaeological Discovery. 13 (01): 26–47. ISSN 2331-1959.
Bibliography
- Maghsoudi, A. (2012). The Environmental Context of Tepe Sagzabad: Fertility and Resources. Iranian Journal of Archaeological Research, 8, 37-49.
- Majidzadeh, R. (1975). The Kiln Structures of Ancient Iran: Evidence from the Excavation of Tepe Sagzabad. Iranian Journal of Archaeology, 8, 45-57.
- Marjan Mollabeirami 2025, Categorization, Taxonomy, and Analysis of Bony Faunal Remains of Qara Tepe of Sagzabad, Iran. www.persicaantiqua.ir
- Nashli, H. F., Darabi, H., Naseri, R., & Fallahian, Y. (2011). Relative and Absolute Dating of Tepe Sagzabad, Qazvin Plain. Journal of Archaeological Research, 3, 133-158.
- Salehi Nezami, R., Fazeli Nashli, H., & Oudbashi, O. (2020). Chemical Study of Bronze Age and Iron Age Potteries of Sagzabad Tepe. Journal of Archaeological Studies, 12, 147-164.
- Shahmirzadi, S. M. (1977). The Excavation at Sagzabad Mound, Qazvin Plain, Iran, 1970-71. Marlik: Journal of the Institute and Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Humanities, 2, 67-80.
- Shahmirzadi, S. M. (1979). Copper, Bronze, and Their Implementation by Metalsmiths of Sagzabad, Qazvin Plain, Iran. Archäologische Mitteilungen aus Iran Berlin, 12, 49-66.
- Talai, H. (1983). Late Bronze Age and Iron Age I architecture in Sagzabad, Qazvin Plain, the Central Plateau of Iran. Iranica Antiqua, 18, 51-57.