Charpeh Ware: Introducing a Type of Dichrome Pottery on the Western Bank of Sefidrud, Gilan, Iran

The Sefidrud valley in Rudbar is host to a wealth of ancient mounds, cemeteries and settlements of varying sizes.Survey programs between ۲۰۰۶‒۲۰۱۶ recorded and revisited ۴۵ sites, most notable among them being Charpeh,a major site on the west bank of the Sefidrud. In the present study, the pottery sample from the site was classifiedas three distinct pottery types: red pottery (red-slipped), red and dark dichrome pottery (Charpeh Ware), and graypottery. In the sample considered here, the second type (Charpeh Ware) was represented by ۱۰ specimens (out ofthe total of ۲۳ such surface finds) from the site of Charpeh and ۷ instances from the excavated assemblage fromSharef. These examples were compared with dichrome and monochrome materials excavated from the Iron Agecontexts of Rudbar, notably at Pilaghaleh of Marlik and Jamshidabad. The sample mainly consisted of polishedpieces, dominated by rim sherds. Technical characteristics of the dichrome Charpeh ware and its comparison to theassemblages from the surrounding areas suggested it to be a distinctive type whose publication would contributeto the Iron Age pottery chronology of Gilan in general. Thus, the ceramics were categorized into six classes beforeexamining their characteristics in terms of paste, temper, decoration, and form. Petrographic analyses on thedichrome pieces proved their manufacture from local soil sources. The dichromatic appearance of this ware waspresumably meant to serve as decoration, and the high frequency of the material at Charpeh suggested the site apotential manufacturing center for the ware.

Keywords:

Charpeh Ware , Dichrom Pottery , Iron Age , Sefidrud Valley , Rudbar