Document Type : .

Authors

• Esmaeil Sangari ¹
• Parisa Salehi ²

¹ Associate Professor of History, University of Isfahan. Isfahan. Iran

² MA in Ancient History of Iran, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Jiroft, which according to some researchers and archaeologists, is identical and tantamount to Mesopotamia civilization, has a rich context of admirable and valuable ancient materials. These materials, appeared out of the ground due to a flood in 2002AD, are sign of a culture of thousand years in this region of Iran, which could be said to have been dormant in this landscape for several millennia. These materials are regarded as relaters of ancient culture of the jiroft, that in case of being decoded, they have so many unsaid about mythological debates, rituals, beliefs and notions dominating on the society of their own period. Analyzing the three works containing the leitmotiv of palm tree, this study aims to conceive non-written language of culture of Jiroft by which, they assist in renovation of context and framework of this ancient culture. By using the descriptive-analytical method, observation of discovered works and relying on archeological data and library research, this study aims to analyze and portrait the leitmotiv of the palm tree in art of the Jiroft.

Keywords

• Art of Jiroft
• Palm Tree motif
• Iconography
• Iconology
• Mesopotamia

Extended Abstract

Explanation and analysis of Iconographical of Palm Tree

in Art of Jiroft

Throughout history, humans have consistently adopted a symbolic approach to various phenomena, considering the use of symbols as a suitable method for expressing their mental concepts. Consequently, they have left numerous works across different historical periods, each containing a multitude of these symbols. These natural symbols, whether anthropomorphic, animal, or botanical, created in harmony with the conditions of their specific historical era and inspired by nature and characteristics closely related to the material world, harbor a wealth of hidden codes within them. The discovery of these secrets and codes can unveil many unknown aspects of history, providing a deeper insight into the civilization of the new era. Therefore, it is not logical to think that the depiction of such beautiful and meaningful patterns in various works of ancient civilizations, including Jiroft, occurred without a specific intention or purpose to convey distinct concepts by our predecessors.

The discoveries of Jiroft civilization at the beginning of the 21st century have caused considerable astonishment among historians and archaeologists worldwide. It can be asserted that the examination of various dimensions of this civilization has the potential to lift the veil on many historical ambiguities. Since a considerable amount of time has not passed since the discovery of this civilization, the scope of studies in this field has not yet reached an acceptable level. Furthermore, the branches of research that have been conducted so far lack independent investigations into botanical symbols and have predominantly focused on animal symbols. In the realm of Jiroft civilization research, the renowned archaeologist Yousef Majidzadeh stands out, in his book titled "Jiroft, the Oldest Civilization in the East," has meticulously compiled a collection of artifacts discovered from this civilization in the form of precious illustrations.

In this research, the Panofsky and post-Panofsky methods are applied in order to interpret the images. The patterns are examined in three sections: descriptive iconography, iconological analysis, and iconographic interpretation. The objective is to employ this method to explicate and analyze three engraved works focusing on the representation of the palm tree. This approach is chosen because symbolism or ancient iconography is the oldest and most fundamental method of conveying concepts.

Out of a total of 220 artifacts discovered by Majidzadeh and his team from Jiroft civilization, 28 works are adorned with plant motifs (independently or in combination). These plant motifs have been categorized by researchers into four groups: tree, shrub, bush, and flower. Trees, with a prevalence of 58%, are the most recurrent plant motif, while bushes, with a prevalence of 8%, are the least frequent among the artifacts from Jiroft. Additionally, among the 58% of works depicting the tree motif, approximately 32% are specifically dedicated to the palm tree motif. This indicates that the palm tree is the most prevalent botanical symbol among the discovered artifacts of the Jiroft civilization, emphasizing the significance of the palm tree in ancient Jiroft.

In other words, out of the 28 works adorned with botanical symbols, 12 depict the palm tree motif, while the remaining 16 represent other plant motifs. This means that roughly half of the artifacts portray the palm tree motif prominently on their surfaces. The religious roots and practical uses of this particular tree are among the main factors contributing to the higher repetition of this type of iconography compared to other symbols. Furthermore, the higher frequency of this plant component may reflect the creator's perspective on the abundant and verdant nature of the region in which these artifacts originated, as the palm is a symbol of blessing and fertility. Thus, the more frequent portrayal of the palm tree motif in the art of the Jiroft civilization may indicate the lush plant cover in ancient Jiroft.

According to the beliefs of some researchers and archaeologists, the civilization of jiroft is identical and tantamount to Mesopotamia civilization. Therefore, the recently unearthed artifacts from this civilization call for more assistance from researchers and scholars to unveil the hidden secrets within these patterns. Scholars aim to contribute to the understanding of this ancient civilization through the deciphering of these discovered works. Consequently, the reconstruction of this ancient civilization through the decryption of its artifacts requires increased attention from researchers and cultural heritage custodians. It is hoped that shortly, greater efforts will be directed towards the study and preservation of the cultural heritage of this ancient civilization.