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...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
The Kura Araxes represents an important albeit understudied cultural horizon dated to the Early Bronze Age, often defined as a single cultural group that originated in Transcaucasia and spread into...Show moreThe Kura Araxes represents an important albeit understudied cultural horizon dated to the Early Bronze Age, often defined as a single cultural group that originated in Transcaucasia and spread into the greater Near East. Many details about Kura Araxes society still remain much debated as most of the theories discussing the identity of the culture are based on the distribution of characteristic ceramics, which can mask the various levels of complexity. This study focuses on the mortuary evidence found in designated Kura Araxes cemeteries, which has the potential to highlight more cultural heterogeneity. Patterns within burial practices including burial construction types, location of cemeteries, inhumation practices, gender, rituals, grave goods, geographic dispersals and chronological transitions are examined. The divisions in mortuary traditions are interpreted as corresponding to separations in economic and ethnic identities based on mobile and sedentary lifestyle interactions, which undergo transformations throughout the Kura Araxes chronological phases.Show less
