Sociological analysis of the circle symbol in the Funerary structures of Iron Age; Case study of the Meshgin Chayi basin cemeteries

Volume 11, Issue 2
March 2021
Pages 87-116

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

1 University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Department of Archaeology

2 University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Departmeno of Archaeology

Abstract
In Archaeology the Iron Age refers to the period in which the immigration struggle intensified between different ethnic groups. The best data from these immigrant communities are their funerary structures. So that these structures have been seen in many areas of Archaeological where they are occupied. The most prominent funeral feature of these tribes that can be seen in the most entered lands is a circular stone structure on the grave that surrounds the central space or location of the dead. The study area is ​​one of the flooded rivers of Meshgin city that such a system is one of the important factors in the appearance of the ancient sites of this part of Ardabil province. In archaeological surveys, many Iron Age cemeteries were identified and studied in this area. One of the sensible Features for the tombs of these cemeteries is interesting circle-shaped structures that surround the inside of the grave and location of the dead place. This research is worked with brief background of the transmittal rate of such structures in the second and first millennium B.C graves in different parts of the world with looking for the mythological and symbology studies that why and how the circular structures are made in the ancient Iron Age burials of Meshgin Chayi basin. A sociological regard to this topic shows that there have been special belief between Iron Age societies that believe on those due to appearance and continuation of special methods in the dead interment

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