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<p>This study examines the wood anatomy of archaeological artefacts recovered from the Kohan Dezh fortress on Kuh-i Khwaja, a key site in the Sistan region of Iran, dated to the late 1st millennium <span>bce</span> (ca. 3rd century <span>bce</span>, Parthian period). Eleven objects, including combs, textile making, structural elements and small vessels, were analysed using macroscopic study, light microscopy and wood maceration techniques, and compared against authoritative anatomical literature, the InsideWood database and the modern reference collection of the University of Tehran in accordance with IAWA standards. Identifications include <i>Buxus hyrcana</i> (Hyrcanian boxwood), <i>Tamarix</i> sp. (tamarisk), <i>Prosopis</i> sp. (mesquite), <i>Morus</i> sp. (mulberry) and <i>Populus</i> sp. (poplar). Local taxa such as <i>Tamarix</i> and <i>Populus</i> were mainly used for utilitarian objects, while the presence of non-native woods, notably boxwood and mulberry, suggests the existence of ancient trade networks. Microscopic evidence of soft rot decay was observed, particularly in <i>Tamarix</i> and <i>Morus</i> specimens, despite the very dry burial conditions. Chemical deposits detected inside the wood vessels of combs probably reflect ancient surface treatments for aesthetic or ritual purposes. These findings provide new insights into the use of wood in ancient Persia, strategies for selecting wood and preservation conditions in an arid environment.</p>

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From local use to distant trade: the identification of 2,300 years old wooden artefacts from the Kohan Dezh fortress, Iran

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月14日

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  • Iman Zadeh-Mohammad,
  • Mostafa Maleki-Galandouz,
  • Hossein Sarhaddi-Dadian,
  • Reza Oladi

摘要

This study examines the wood anatomy of archaeological artefacts recovered from the Kohan Dezh fortress on Kuh-i Khwaja, a key site in the Sistan region of Iran, dated to the late 1st millennium bce (ca. 3rd century bce, Parthian period). Eleven objects, including combs, textile making, structural elements and small vessels, were analysed using macroscopic study, light microscopy and wood maceration techniques, and compared against authoritative anatomical literature, the InsideWood database and the modern reference collection of the University of Tehran in accordance with IAWA standards. Identifications include Buxus hyrcana (Hyrcanian boxwood), Tamarix sp. (tamarisk), Prosopis sp. (mesquite), Morus sp. (mulberry) and Populus sp. (poplar). Local taxa such as Tamarix and Populus were mainly used for utilitarian objects, while the presence of non-native woods, notably boxwood and mulberry, suggests the existence of ancient trade networks. Microscopic evidence of soft rot decay was observed, particularly in Tamarix and Morus specimens, despite the very dry burial conditions. Chemical deposits detected inside the wood vessels of combs probably reflect ancient surface treatments for aesthetic or ritual purposes. These findings provide new insights into the use of wood in ancient Persia, strategies for selecting wood and preservation conditions in an arid environment.