Identifying the use of Iron age pottery from Tepe Sagzabad (Iran): Results from the first analysis of pottery residues

The Qazvin plain located in the northwestern part of the central plateau of Iran. Three major prehistoric sites (Tepe) lie on the plain: Zagheh, Ghabristan, and Sagzabad. The site of Tepe Sagzabad includes the most important evidences from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age III or even the historical period and was also located along the main eastern-western trade route on the Iranian Plateau. One of the main objectives of the recent excavations at this historical site, was to focus on the intact Iron Age III in this site, and to learn more about the condition of these layers. 2.5 hectares of geophysical surveying were completed prior to excavation. Thereafter, the trenches 5 and 6 were opened. Trench 6 was started at a size of 3 x 10 meters and following the appearance of the architectural features, it was extended to the dimensions of 12 x 5 meters. The context associated with a kiln structure (6006 and 6004) which was found in the east and center of this trench in different dimensions. Both structures are similar, and traces of heat are obvious in their context and sections. These two structures were filled with diverse accumulations. Within the studied context (6006), there was an assemblage of heated soils, ash, and veins of charcoal in orderly and layered manner. To determine the function of this kiln, other special finds in trench 6 were examined. The large, extraordinary oval-shaped pottery was identified in this context 6006, but unfortunately, the lower part of the object has been destroyed, though possibly the whole vessel could be 75 cm high. The difference between this pottery and other pottery was its unusual form. The closed-head form of pottery (knob-shaped) with two handles evokes a pot lid, and a hole (5 cm) is set in the center of the upper part to be used as a spout and possibly a reed as a tube. The shape and size of this unusual pottery and the position of the spout allow assuming that to work as a traditional alembic, comparable to the modern from copper made versions. In particular, the comparison with the Iranian tradition at the rosewater festival, which still uses similar equipment to extract rosewater and essential oil, made possible the function of this extraordinary pottery as part of a distillation apparatus. Moreover, findings from Assyrian seals in the Segzabad site indicate cultural interaction between these two regions and it can be assumed that ancient knowledge such as distillation came to this region from Mesopotamia. To preliminarily investigate and identify the application of this pottery, five powdery samples were taken from the inner and from lower part of the pottery. Based on the results obtained from microscopic observations, SEM-EDS analysis and micro-Raman spectroscopy studies, this study will provide information that can be used to identify the residue inside the pottery and also its possible application