historical sociology

Early Bronze Age Figurines of the Tepe Zarnagh, a Manifestation of Patriarchy in Northwestern Iran

Volume 8, Issue 2
October 2017
Pages 231-256
historical sociology

Authors

A. H. Nobari 1
H. Naseri Someh 2
M. Saba 3

1 Professor, of Archaeology Department, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.

2 PhD. Candidate of Archaeology Department, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.

3 MA of Archaeology, Azad University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract
In the first season of archeological excavations of Tepe Zarnagh in 2013, many clay figurines of human and animal forms were discovered, which belonged to the Early Bronze Age. Contrary to most of the figurines found around the world, which are feminine fertility goddesses; Tepe Zarnaghs’figurines are male forms. Significant number of this type of male figurines reveals the special social structure of the respective society and the special religious status of this type of figurines in that society.
As most of the archeological studies in sites related to Kura-Araxs culture have focused on the architectures and potteries, no research has been done on the clay figurines. Hence, by studying Kura-Araxs figurines, in this paper we attempt to analyze and categorize statuettes of Tepe Zarnagh and identify the relationship between these artifacts and social and ideological factors and social structure of Kura-Araxs region in Early Bronze Age.


Keywords

Tepe Zarnagh
Northwestern Iran
Kura-Araxs Culture
Clay figurines
Patriarchy
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