Tureng Tepe
Encyclopedia
Tureng Tepe ("Hill of the Pheasants") (alternatively spelled in English as Turang Tappe/Tape/Tappa/Tappeh) is an archaeological site in northeastern Iran
, in the Gorgan plain, approximately 17 km northeast of the town of Gorgan
.
The oldest remains on the site date to the Neolithic
and Chalcolithic periods. The Bronze age settlement portion of the site dates from approximately 3100-2900 BC through 1900 BC. In 1841, some material (including gold vessels) from the site was sent to the Shah (Mohammad Shah Qajar
), and examined by Clement Augustus (C.A.) de Bode, piquing initial modern interest in the site. The first modern excavations were done by Frederick Wulsin in 1931, sponsored by the Atkins Museum of Fine Arts
. Grey ware pottery from the site was found and studied. In the mid-20th century, the site (a hill) had a height of approximately 30m. In 1959, Jean Deshayes (1924–1979) rediscovered the site, and regular excavations began soon after until 1979.
During the Bronze Age, Tureng Tepe was likely a thriving settlement.
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
, in the Gorgan plain, approximately 17 km northeast of the town of Gorgan
Gorgan
Gorgan Some east of Gorgan is the Golestan National Park. The city has a regional airport and several universities. Gorgan Airport was opened in September 2005.-Etymology:...
.
The oldest remains on the site date to the Neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
and Chalcolithic periods. The Bronze age settlement portion of the site dates from approximately 3100-2900 BC through 1900 BC. In 1841, some material (including gold vessels) from the site was sent to the Shah (Mohammad Shah Qajar
Mohammad Shah Qajar
Mohammad Shah Qajar was king of Persia from the Qajar dynasty .- Rise to power :...
), and examined by Clement Augustus (C.A.) de Bode, piquing initial modern interest in the site. The first modern excavations were done by Frederick Wulsin in 1931, sponsored by the Atkins Museum of Fine Arts
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is an art museum in Kansas City, Missouri, known for its neoclassical architecture and extensive collection of Asian art....
. Grey ware pottery from the site was found and studied. In the mid-20th century, the site (a hill) had a height of approximately 30m. In 1959, Jean Deshayes (1924–1979) rediscovered the site, and regular excavations began soon after until 1979.
Neolithic and Chalcolithic
- Tureng IA (Neolithic period - these layers are assumed to lie below the water table. From this horizon occur Djeitun-like sherds, incorporated in bricks made in later periods)
- Tureng IB (Late Neolithic period - again presumably below the water table)
- Tureng IIA (Early Chalcolithic period)
Bronze Age
- Tureng IIB (ca. 3100–2600 BCE)
- Tureng III A / B (ca. 2600–2100 BCE)
- Tureng III C (about 2100 -? BCE)
Iron Age
- Tureng IV A (Iron Age, possibly 7th century BCE)
- Tureng IV B Iron Age, possibly 6th century BCE)
- Tureng VA (2nd century BCE)
Historical time
- Tureng VB (1st century BCE)
- Tureng VC / D (1st–2nd century AD)
- Tureng VI A Sasanian empire(3rd–5th century AD)
- Tureng VI B end of the Sasanian empire (possibly 6th - 7th centuries)
- Tureng VII A / B Islamic occupation at the top of Mound A(10th–11th century AD)
- Tureng VIII some Islamic remains located in the south-west part of the site (possibly 13th century AD)
During the Bronze Age, Tureng Tepe was likely a thriving settlement.
Additional sources
- Deshayes, J., 1968 – Tureng Tepe and the Plain of Gorgan in the Bronze Age. Archaeologia, I(1), Paris.
- Fouilles de Tureng Tepe (1987) (ISBN 2-86538-182-X)
- Wulsin, F.R., 1932 – Excavation at Tureng Tepe, near Asterabad. Supplement to the Bull. American Inst. Persian Art and Archaeology, New York
