gems, turquoise, Iran, Persian turquoise, archaeology, archaeogemology, history of turquoise mining and processing

This richly illustrated volume surveys the archaeology of mining, metallurgy, and mineral exploitation in Iran from prehistory through the Islamic period. Bringing together archaeological, geological, archaeometallurgical, and historical studies, it examines Iran’s exceptionally rich deposits of copper, gold, silver, lead, iron, salt, and ornamental stones and their role in the development of early technologies and long-distance exchange. Major sites and mining districts include Arisman, Tappeh Sialk, Tappeh Hesar, Veshnaveh, Tappeh Yahya, Hasanlu, Luristan, Nakhlak, and Nishapur. Of particular gemological importance are studies of decorative stones—including lapis lazuli, turquoise, agate, and carnelian—their sources and trade, together with a detailed treatment of the historic turquoise mines at Nishapur. Other contributions address obsidian procurement, chlorite vessels, stone-working, ancient quarrying, and the movement of raw materials across the Iranian Plateau and neighboring regions. The volume demonstrates the central position of Iran in ancient networks connecting Mesopotamia, Central Asia, Afghanistan, and the Indus region, while integrating evidence from mines, workshops, settlements, artifacts, scientific analyses, and historical sources to reconstruct the exploitation and circulation of mineral resources over several millennia.