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Iravani Ghadim F, Razaghi S, Aliyari A, Mohammadi Achachluei M. (2026). Structural Characterization (Petrography and XRF) of Plum and Grey Wares from Tepe Ghabrestan, Qazvin Plain: A Study on the Early Chalcolithic Ceramics. JRA. 12(1), : 4 doi:10.66224/jra.2026.12.104
URL: http://jra-tabriziau.ir/article-1-521-en.html

Cultural transitions and discontinuities are among the most critical issues in archaeological studies. Advances and shifts in the pottery industry of the Central Iranian Plateau, particularly in the Qazvin Plain, have created ambiguities in the analysis, evaluation, and chronology of this region. Accord-ingly, the primary objective of this study is to elucidate the origins of the "Plum" (Aloui) and "Grey" pottery traditions at Tepe Ghabristan. In this context, it is hypothesized that the abandonment of Sialk II sites (5200–4700 BCE) and the emergence of new settlements during the early Sialk III 1-3 period (4700–4000 BCE)—characterized by the "Plum Ware culture"—as well as a subsequent transition during Sialk III 6 (3700 BCE) known as the "Grey Ware culture," were influenced by non-local elements. This study aims to investigate the cultural discontinuity observed in the stratigraphic sequence of Tepe Ghabristan. To achieve this, the technology and manufacturing techniques of these ceramics are analyzed through documentation and typological classification. To evaluate whether the samples are indigenous or non-indigenous, their structures will be assessed through petrographic studies and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis, and correlated with the homogeneity of soil elements and the geological features of the region. Finally, to identify the provenance, extent, and distribution patterns of the Plum (Alui) and Gray ware cultures, neighboring regions will also be studied. The research findings indicate that the studied pottery is indigenous to Tepe Qabrestan, and the changes observed in these ceramic cultures resulted from cultural interactions with adjacent areas.