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Journal of Sistan and Baluchistan Studies

Journal of Sistan and Baluchistan Studies

EXPERIMENTAL ARCHAEOLOGY AND INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE OF IRAN: A CASE STUDY OF THE SISTAN BASIN

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors
1 Associate Professor, Department of Archaeology & Archaeological Sciences Research Center, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.
2 PhD Candidate, Department of Archaeology & Archaeological Sciences Research Center, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.
Abstract
Archaeology, as a scientific discipline, investigates the interactions between humans and their environment in the past by applying various scientific methods to analyze and interpret findings. This study critically examines experimental archaeology research conducted specifically in the Sistan Basin, focusing on how such methods can simulate the technological and cultural behaviors of past societies. Using a case study approach, the paper analyzes two key experimental archaeology projects carried out in the region. Methodologically, the evaluation involves comparative analysis of field experiments and reconstruction techniques to assess the reliability and scientific rigor of these studies. The findings highlight both the strengths-such as accurate data collection and the potential for reconstructing pottery production-and the challenges, including methodological limitations and the need for strict adherence to scientific principles to avoid bias. This paper contributes to a deeper understanding of experimental archaeology’s role in reconstructing past behaviors and suggests ways to enhance its application in the context of Iranian archaeology. By focusing on the Sistan Basin, this research not only sheds light on a specific regional case but also discusses broader implications for employing experimental methods in archaeology.
Keywords

چکیده: باستان‌شناسی به‌عنوان یک رشته علمی، تعاملات میان انسان و محیط زیست در گذشته را با بهره‌گیری از روش‌های علمی مختلف مورد بررسی و تحلیل قرار می‌دهد. این مطالعه به‌صورت انتقادی به بررسی پژوهش‌های باستان‌شناسی تجربی انجام‌شده در حوضه سیستان می‌پردازد و تمرکز آن بر چگونگی بازسازی رفتارهای فناورانه و فرهنگی جوامع گذشته از طریق روش‌های تجربی است. این مقاله با رویکرد مطالعه موردی، دو پروژه کلیدی باستان‌شناسی تجربی در این منطقه را تحلیل می‌کند. از نظر روش‌شناسی، ارزیابی از طریق تحلیل تطبیقی آزمایش‌های میدانی و فنون بازسازی صورت گرفته تا میزان اعتبار و دقت علمی این مطالعات بررسی شود. یافته‌ها نشان می‌دهد که این مطالعات در کنار نقاط قوتی چون جمع‌آوری دقیق داده‌ها و امکان بازسازی فرآیند تولید سفال، با چالش‌هایی نظیر محدودیت‌های روش‌شناسی و لزوم رعایت اصول علمی سخت‌گیرانه برای جلوگیری از سوگیری نیز روبه‌رو هستند. این مقاله با ارائه بینشی ژرف‌تر نسبت به نقش باستان‌شناسی تجربی در بازسازی رفتارهای گذشته، راهکارهایی برای ارتقای کاربرد آن در زمینه باستان‌شناسی ایران پیشنهاد می‌کند. تمرکز بر حوضه سیستان در این پژوهش، علاوه بر روشن‌سازی یک مورد منطقه‌ای خاص، به بررسی پیامدهای گسترده‌تر کاربرد روش‌های تجربی در باستان‌شناسی نیز می‌پردازد.

کلیدواژه‌ها: حوضه سیستان، عصر مفرغ، دانش بومی، باستان‌شناسی تجربی، شبیه‌سازی.

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Volume 5, Issue 2
December 2025
Pages 49-70

  • Receive Date 13 June 2025
  • Publish Date 13 June 2025