Amphorae of Persia: Torpedo Jar as a marker of Sassanian imperialism, trade, and economy in the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean between the 3rd and 7th centuries.

The topic of ancient trade in the Indian Ocean has been popular for a while already. But, most of the attention was directed toward the commercial connections that the Roman Empire established with India and China under the framework of the Silk Roads. This resulted in the research of Roman ceramic containers, the amphorae. Consequently, other aspects of the Indian Ocean trade were often ignored. However, after the discovery of Sassanian ceramic containers known as Torpedo Jars, the role of this imperial player in the Indian Oceans started being questioned by many researchers such as R. Tomber. My thesis aims to evaluate Sasanian strategies in geopolitics, trade, and economy through the use of Torpedo Jars as an archaeological marker. Through the use of literature on the topics of Torpedo Jars, Sassanian imperialism, trade, and economy my thesis aims to compare information and expand possible conclusions. The thesis introduces a thematic chapter each contributing to the discussion...Show moreThe topic of ancient trade in the Indian Ocean has been popular for a while already. But, most of the attention was directed toward the commercial connections that the Roman Empire established with India and China under the framework of the Silk Roads. This resulted in the research of Roman ceramic containers, the amphorae. Consequently, other aspects of the Indian Ocean trade were often ignored. However, after the discovery of Sassanian ceramic containers known as Torpedo Jars, the role of this imperial player in the Indian Oceans started being questioned by many researchers such as R. Tomber. My thesis aims to evaluate Sasanian strategies in geopolitics, trade, and economy through the use of Torpedo Jars as an archaeological marker. Through the use of literature on the topics of Torpedo Jars, Sassanian imperialism, trade, and economy my thesis aims to compare information and expand possible conclusions. The thesis introduces a thematic chapter each contributing to the discussion on the relevance of Torpedo Jars in the Sassanian activity in the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. Based on the findings from the chapters, a wide network created by Sassanians was revealed. The primary objective of the Sassanian Empire was to secure the Persian Gulf for security and economic reasons. This allowed them to possess an influential stake in the Indian Ocean trade causing a wide distribution of Torpedo Jars in the region, especially in the main trading region of India. Moreover, Sassanians in contrast to the Parthians made an effort to centralize their economy of transport container production, also supporting the further distribution of Torpedo Jars. This was exemplified by a study on the chaff-tempered ovoid jars (predecessor of Torpedo Jars in the Persian Gulf) and a comparative analysis of the production of transport containers in the Roman Mediterranean and the Sassanian Persian Gulf. Nevertheless, the topic of Torpedo Jars is still not studied enough. More excavations and archaeological surveys need to be conducted to find further evidence of the production and function of Torpedo Jars. Based on my thesis I would also encourage conducting a quantitative research method on the distribution of Torpedo Jars in the Indian Ocean producing a wide dataset with proportions.Show less

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Amphorae of Persia: Torpedo Jar as a marker of Sassanian imperialism, trade, and economy in the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean between the 3rd and 7th centuries.