بازشناسی «پایداری فرهنگیِ» برآمده از «هژمونی تمدنیِ» عیلام، در حکومت‌های ایران باستان
محورهای موضوعی : باستان شناسی
هادی فرهنگدوست
1
,
تکتم حنایی
2
1 - کارشناس ارشد معماری اسلامی، دانشکده هنر و معماری اسلامی، دانشگاه بین المللی امام رضا ع، مشهد، ایران
2 - گروه شهرسازی، دانشکده هنر و معماری، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، واحد مشهد، مشهد، ایران.
کلید واژه: باستانشناسی اجتماعی, تاریخ‌تمدن, عیلام شناسی, مردم‌شناسی تاریخی, قوم‌شناسی,
چکیده مقاله :
عوامل سازنده یک تمدن، بر حسب شرایط محیطی و ساختاری زیادی، فرصت نمایان‌شدن پیدا می‌کنند. به‌گونه‌ای که بین ظرفیت‌های بالقوه و بالفعل ملل در طول تاریخ، تفاوت‌هایی را ایجاد کرده است. یکی از مهم‌ترین بسترهای شناختی در این زمینه، مطالعات تمدن شناسی با رویکردهای کلانی همچون فرهنگی است. دراین‌بین مسئله شناخت تمدن عیلامی‌ها از جنبه مطالعات اجتماعی، اگرچه مبتنی بر شواهد باستانشناسی و مطالعات تاریخی است، ولی بر اساس ضرورت‌های انسان امروزی در زمینه کارکردهای شناخت هویت و خاستگاه تاریخی خود است. براین‌اساس، هدف‌گذاری این پژوهش، واکاوی ابعاد شناخته شده از وجوه تمدن عیلامی از طریق هم‌افزایی مفهومی و عملکردی آنها است. عوامل ایجادکننده تأثیر فرهنگی پایدار حاکمیت عیلامیان در ایران باستان چه بوده و ارتباط آنها با یکدیگر چگونه بوده است؟ چنین هدفی از طریق کلان پژوهی، در قالب پژوهشی کیفی با رویکرد تحلیل و تفسیر در زمینه تاریخی، طراحی گردیده است. کاربرد نوآورانة این پژوهش در زمینه طراحی چارچوب پژوهش با رویکرد کلان و اجتماعی، از طریق به‌کارگیری هدفمند هوش مصنوعی در نرم‌افزار کمک پژوهشی MAXQDA برای غلبه بر پیچیدگی روابط و گستردگی عوامل چندوجهی و چندلایه آن است. نتایج این پژوهش نشان‌دهنده میراث داری هوشمندانه عیلامی‌ها از سنت‌های نیاایلامی‌ها، و بهره‌گیری آگاهانه از ظرفیت‌های جغرافیایی، اجتماعی، فرهنگی، هنری، اقتصادی، نظامی و سیاسی اقوام داخلی و همسایگان پیرامونی، در ساختارهای تمدن بومی آنها است.
Extended Abstract
The formation of a civilization depends on various environmental and structural factors that influence its emergence and development. These factors have led to differences between the potential and actual capacities of nations throughout history. One of the essential cognitive frameworks for understanding this phenomenon is civilization studies, particularly through cultural approaches. The study of the Elamite civilization from a socio-historical perspective is based on archaeological evidence and historical records, yet it is also crucial for contemporary human identity and historical consciousness. The primary objective of this research is to analyze key aspects of Elamite civilization through conceptual and functional synergy. What were the factors contributing to the cultural sustainability of Elamite rule in ancient Iran, and how were they interconnected? This study adopts a macro-historical research approach, employing qualitative methods of historical analysis and interpretation. A key innovation of this study is the use of artificial intelligence tools within the MAXQDA research software to navigate the complexity and multidimensionality of Elamite civilization. The results indicate the Elamites’ strategic adaptation and inheritance of Proto-Elamite traditions, as well as their conscious utilization of geographical, social, cultural, artistic, economic, military, and political resources from both internal ethnic groups and neighboring societies to construct a sustainable indigenous civilization.
Introduction
The Elamites were an ancient Iranian people who inhabited the northern and eastern plains of Khuzestan and parts of western Iran from approximately 3200 to 539 BCE. They established and developed a rich cultural tradition, influenced by and comparable to the civilizations of Mesopotamia, including Sumer, Akkad, Babylon, and Assyria. Scholars argue that the Elamite civilization played a foundational role in shaping later Iranian empires such as the Medes and Achaemenids (Gilani & Elahiyari, 2012, p. 71). Understanding the significance of this civilization requires an in-depth analysis of historical evidence through modern interpretative frameworks.
Historical studies, while reliant on archaeological findings, aim not only to reconstruct past events but also to understand the intellectual and social dynamics of ancient peoples (Qasemi et al., 2021). The study of civilizations extends beyond the mere documentation of history; it seeks to comprehend their thought processes and lifestyles, providing insights into their rise, continuity, and decline. The Elamites’ geographical positioning in the Near East made their civilization a crucial center of early human settlement and cultural exchange. Despite modern political borders, historical civilizations defined themselves based on strong cultural boundaries.
The central questions of this research focus on the factors that contributed to the formation of Elamite civilization and the mechanisms that ensured its cultural stability and transmission over time. By addressing these questions, this study seeks to bridge gaps in existing research and highlight the importance of Elamite contributions to the broader narrative of ancient Iranian and Mesopotamian civilizations.
Methodology
Archaeology is an interdisciplinary field that seeks to uncover and analyze the material and cultural remains of past societies. The scientific nature of archaeology, which follows a systematic and logical approach, ensures the reliability and validity of its findings. However, the complexity of historical studies increases with the breadth of the research scope, necessitating comprehensive analytical frameworks.
This study employs a macro-research approach within the framework of social archaeology, incorporating structural interpretations and contextual descriptions to achieve logical coherence. Given the nature of historical research, this study relies on existing data rather than generating new data (Sarmad et al., 2019). To maintain objectivity in source selection, analysis, and interpretation, the study examines a broad range of materials and classifies them into five interconnected analytical layers. This methodological approach enables a systematic exploration of the relationships among various cultural, social, and political factors that shaped Elamite civilization.
A significant methodological innovation in this study is the use of artificial intelligence tools within MAXQDA research software to manage the complexity of multidimensional historical data. By structuring and analyzing qualitative data systematically, this approach enhances the comprehensiveness and depth of the research findings.
Discussion
The concept of art and culture evolves over time, reflecting how each society's worldview is captured in their artistic and social expressions. By analyzing similarities between different cultures and exploring the lives of people from various eras, we gradually uncover the layers of meaning within their art. These ancient works, once obscure and lifeless, begin to convey specific truths about the societies they belong to. As human knowledge expanded and diverse theories emerged, various definitions of art and culture took shape, often involving ideas such as science, virtue, and skill. Archaeological findings, through their exploration of past societies, not only connect present civilizations with ancient ones but also explore the cultural exchanges that shaped them. More specifically, they examine the cultural-social framework of these societies, unlocking meanings hidden within the artistic expressions of their time.
The term "civilizational hegemony" is related to the concepts of culture and civilization, often used interchangeably. However, "hegemony" implies a dominant, enduring cultural influence. For example, the ancient Elamites' cultural and social structures, reflected in their art, demonstrate the impact of their civilization on neighboring regions, such as Mesopotamia. Elam's strategic location and interactions with various neighboring cultures highlight the significance of cultural exchanges, demonstrating how art and innovation flourished through these interactions. Elam's role as a cultural bridge in the ancient world showcases how the civilization maintained its autonomy and influence for centuries.
In the ancient Elamite civilization, the development of arts and architecture reflected a well-established societal structure. The residents of Susa were advanced in pottery and ceramic painting long before the Elamite reign. Artworks from the third millennium BCE, preserved on cylinder seals, showcase a significant artistic tradition that persisted even during the gradual shift from pottery to metal artifacts like bronze, silver, and gold. This artistic community, functioning in both official and non-official contexts, demonstrated a formal recognition of the arts by the ruling authorities. Moreover, the Elamites' unique contribution to visual and symbolic art was maintained well into the Sassanian period.
The Elamite script evolved from an early pictographic system into a cuneiform writing style. This development, influenced minimally by Sumerian culture, was an internal progression of the Elamite civilization. It facilitated communication and record-keeping within the administrative systems. The script was so advanced that it persisted until the rise of the Achaemenid Empire, where it was used in royal inscriptions, such as those on the Behistun inscription of Darius the Great. This script, along with architectural innovations like the Elamite arch, exemplified the advanced technological and cultural achievements of the Elamites, which influenced subsequent civilizations in the region.
The ancient city of Susa, the capital of the Elamite civilization, held significant geographical and urban value even before the establishment of Elamite governance. The architectural and urban developments introduced by the Elamites, such as the advanced water management systems (qanat), were vital in transforming arid regions into productive agricultural lands. This laid the groundwork for the resilience that allowed Susa to continue as a major cultural, political, and economic center during the Achaemenid period, even after widespread destruction by Ashurbanipal’s forces.
Elamite engineers developed effective irrigation systems, including a canal that transported water from the Karkheh River to Chogha Zanbil, overcoming natural obstacles. This innovation contributed to the continuous life of Susa, which never faced abandonment even in the face of external invasions. The expertise in water management, infrastructure, and urban planning had a lasting effect on later Persian projects, including the construction of Persepolis and monumental ventures like the Suez Canal. The legacy of Elamite engineering played a significant role in the sustained success of the Achaemenid Empire.
Findings
The formation of progress in various aspects of a civilization is the result of centuries of governance with the aim of creating a "structured society, organized culture, and the core values of civilization." This ensures that other advancements within a nation are framed, meaningful, and goal-oriented. For instance, the use of columns in architecture, discovered at the "Malyan Mound" near Fars, dates back 6,000 years. The evolution of this technique can be seen in the construction of the Hassanlu fortress, which incorporated large columned halls, rooms, corridors, and courtyards around 1,000 BC. Additionally, the progress of the Elamite society was based on the divine acceptance of kingship, where the king was seen as both a political leader and a religious figure, ensuring a blend of religion and politics in governing. This system helped maintain social cohesion, making the Elamite legacy a foundation for the cultural hegemony of ancient Iran.
Conclusion
The Elamite civilization's legacy in the ancient Iranian plateau reflects a complex, organized society that emerged as a result of social and political evolution over millennia, starting in the fourth millennium BC, particularly around the city of Susa. This process was characterized by early urbanization, specialized production, and the creation of infrastructures such as roads and pottery. Over time, Elam's expansion and internal organization allowed for the efficient distribution of resources and goods, fostering economic and social specialization. A significant part of this civilization's success lay in its hierarchical, merit-based governance, which minimized internal competition and allowed knowledge to flourish across various sectors, from agriculture to trade. Furthermore, the Elamite rulers' system, combining military, religious, and administrative authority, established a model that would influence subsequent empires in Iran, including the Achaemenids. Archaeological evidence suggests that the Elamites, with their advanced societal organization, left a lasting impact on Iran's subsequent civilizations, illustrating a well-developed culture that paved the way for the Persian Empire. The findings at sites such as Jiroft, with evidence of pre-Elamite inscriptions and architecture, indicate a long-standing history of sophisticated governance and economic strength in the region.
ابراهیمی پور فرسنگی، مریم، نادعلیان, احمد. (1391). بازتاب باورهای مرتبط با آب در آثار هنری ایلامیان. نگره، 7(21)، 85-94.
افشارسیستانی، ایرج. (1373). ایلام و تمدن دیرینه آن. تهران: طبع و نشر.
آمیه, پیر. (1396). تاریخ عیلام. چاپ ششم. با ترجمه شیرین (اسلامی‌ندوشن) بیانی. تهران: موسسه چاپ و انتشارات دانشگاه تهران.
کتاب مقدس (بی‌تا). رسالة استر.
کتاب مقدس (بی‌تا). رسالة اشعیا.
کتاب تورات (بی‌تا). برشیت (سِفرپیدایش)، در تنخ (مجموعه کتاب‌های مقدس یهودیان).
حسینی، سیدساعد. (1390). تاریخ کامل ایلام (تاریخ کامل ایران دوره ایلامی): پادشاهی بزرگ انشان ـ شوش. تهران: کیهان.
سرمد, زهره، عباس بازرگان‌هرندی، حجازی، الهه. (1398). روش‌های تحقیق در علوم رفتاری. چاپ سی و دوم. تهران: آگاه.
صراف، محمدرحیم. (1397). نقوش برجسته ایلامی. چاپ ششم. تهران: سمت.
صراف، محمدرحیم. (1393). مذهب قوم ایلام (2600 - 5000 سال پیش). چاپ چهارم. تهران: سمت.
قاسمی, حمید و همکاران. (1400). مرجع پژوهش. ویرایش نوزدهم. تهران: اندیشه آرا.
کابلی, یدالله، رضاییان، فرزین. (1391). هفت رخ فرخ ایران. چاپ پنجم. تهران: طلوع ابتکارات تصویری.
کمرون, جورج گلن. (1381). ایران در سپیده‌دم تاریخ. چاپ چهارم. با ترجمه حسن انوشه. تهران: شرکت انتشارات علمی و فرهنگی.
هینتس، والتر. (1389). دنیای گمشده عیلام. چاپ چهارم. تدوین توسط منصوره کاویانی. با ترجمه فیروز فیروزنیا. تهران: علمی و فرهنگی.
یامایوچی, ادوین ام. (1393). ایران و ادیان باستانی. چاپ دوم. تدوین توسط شهاب شاکری. با ترجمه منوچهر پزشک. تهران: ققنوس.
بهرامی، روح‌الله. (1400). “خاطرات طلایی ادوار کهن سرزمین هلامتو «جستاری در باب عصر باستانی عیلام».” دومین همایش ملی ایران‌شناسی. تهران: بنیاد ایران‌شناسی. 113-156.
بریمانی، فرامرز، شعاع برآبادی، علی. (1388). “بافت قدیم شهرها جلوه‌ی فرهنگ مادی و معنوی شهرهای اسلامی مورد: بافت قدیم شهر خواف.” جغرافیا و توسعه 7 (15): 89-112.
جعفری، علی، جعفری، فرشید. (1390). “نگاهی گذرا به وضعیت ایلام در دوره ساسانی.” پژوهش در تاریخ 2 (3): 125-152.
خسروی, لیلا، رفیع‌فر، جلال‌الدین. (1392). “ظروف مجسمه‌ای جانورسان کلماکره.” انسان شناسی 11 (19): 43-84.
خلیلیان، علی محمد. (1379). “ایلام در گستره تاریخ.” فرهنگ ایلام (3و4): 62-67.
کوهستانی، حسین، قاسم‌نژاد، مریم. (1396). “پژوهشی در اسناد اکدی شوش با تأکید بر قوانین اجتماعی تمدن ایلام.” جستارهای باستانشناسی ایران پیش از اسلام 2(1): 15-23.
چغازنبیل. (2003). UNESCO, 40. PDF.Tarikhema.ir
چغازنبیل. (بی‌تا). دستیابی در 11 27, 1401:
https://iranatlas.info/choghazanbil/choghazanbil.htm
Alizadeh, A. (2010). The Rise of the Highland Elamite State in Southwestern Iran: “Enclosed” or Enclosing Nomadism? Current Anthropology, 51(3), 353-383. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/652437
Alizadeh, S., & Jabari, F. (2017). Motifs of Woman, which Emphasise on the Fertility Goddesses in Elam Civilization (2700-640 BC). Journal of History Culture and Art Research, 6(3), 1176 -1189. doi:10.7596/taksad.v6i3.987
Alvarez-Mon, J. (2001). New Frontiers in Iranian Archaeology: Digital Technology and Cultural Heritage. Isimu: Revista sobre Oriente Próximo y Egipto en la antigüedad, 59-74. Retrieved from https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=3016400
Álvarez-Mon, J., Basello, G. P., & Wicks, Y. (Eds.). (2018). THE ELAMITE WORLD. New York: Routledge.
Basello, G. P. (2019). In Iran before the Persians: A journey to ancient Elam. “L’Orientale” University, Naples, Italy: University of Naples.
Chogha Zanbil ziggurat. (n.d) iranatlas: https://www.iranatlas.info/en/choghazanbil/choghazanbil.htm
Edwards, I. E., Hammond, N. G., & Sollberger, E. (Eds.). (2007). The Cambridge Ancient History (3rd Edition: Ninth printing 2007 ed., Vols. 2: Part 2. The Middle East and the Aegean Region, c.1380–1000 BC). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from www.cambridge.org/9780521086912
Farazmand, A. (2002). Administrative Legacies of the Persian World-State Empire: Implications for Modern Public Administration, Part 1. Public Administration Quarterly, 26(3-4), 280-316. Retrieved from: http://www.jstor.org/stable/41288175
Fazeli, M. T., & Masih Rad, M. R. (2015). A Review and Analysis of Religious, Political and Social Structure of Elam. WALIA, 31(S1), 133-140.
Frye, R. N. (1993). The Heritage of Persia. Irvine, California: Mazda Publishers.
Hansen, D. (1970). A Proto-ElamiteSilverFigurinein the Metropolitan Museumof Art. Metropolitan Museum Journal, 3, 5-26
Hansman, J. (1972). Elamites, Aghaemenians and Anshan. Iran, 10, 101-125. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/4300468
Harper, P. O., Aruz, J., & Tallon, F. (Eds.). (1992). The Royal City of Susa: Ancient Near Eastern Treasures in the Louvre. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Hinz, W. (1972). The Lost World Of Elam: Re-creation of a Vanished Civilization. London: Sidgwitk end Jackson Limited.
Kent, R. G. (2013). Old Persian: Grammar, Texts, Lexicon (American Oriental): 33 (American Oriental Series ed.). United States: American Oriental Society.
Kohansal Vajargah, H. (2020). The Function of Non- Iranian Languages in the Persian Achaemenid Empire. Palarch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 17(12), 1862-1869.
Labat, R. (1975). ELAM c 1600-1200 B.C. In I. Edwards , C. Gadd , N. Hammond , & E. Sollberger (Eds.) , The Cambridge Ancient History: Volume 2, Part 2: The Middle East and the Aegean Region, c.1380–1000 BC (3rd ed., pp. 379-416). London: Cambridge University Press.
Moorey, P. R. (2005). Material Aspects of Achaemenid Polychrome Decoration and Jewellery. Iranica Antiqua, 33(1), 155-172. doi:10.2143/IA.33.1.519203
Potts, D. T. (2015). The Archaeology of Elam: Formation and Transformation of an Ancient Iranian State (2nd ed.). NewYork: Cambridge University Press.
Roach, K. J. (2008). The Elamite Cylinder Seal Corpus, c.3500 - 1000 BC (Thesis for PhD, Faculty of Arts, Department of Archaeology, ed.), Sydney: The University of Sydney. Retrieved from https://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/handle/2123/5352
Rostami, M., & Mansourabadi, M. (2020). String Instruments Depicted in the Paintings of Ancient Elam. The International Journal of Humanities, 27(2), 29-42.
Sassoon, J. (2005). Ancient Laws and Modern Problems: The Balance between Justice and a Legal System. Bristol, United Kingdom: Intellect Ltd.
Shahmiri, C. (2004). The Elamite Empire. Retrieved 1 15, 2023, from Historical Site of Mirhadi Hoseini: http://www.allempires.com/article/index.php?q=The_Elamite_Empire
Stierlin, H. (2006). Splendors of Ancient Persia. Vercelli, Italy: White Star.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art. (2000, October). Iran, 2000–1000 B.C. Retrieved 01 20, 2023, from Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History:
https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/03/wai.html
Vacín, L. (2017). A Sumerian and an Elamite Fragment of Cuneiform Royal Inscriptions. TÉMA, 19. Retrieved from https://uni.uhk.cz/zivaarcheologie/index.php/ziva/article/view/34
Chogha Zanbil ziggurat (June 1, 2023). Online: https://www.iranatlas.info/en/choghazanbil/choghazanbil.htm
