Paleoparasitological Evidence of Pinworm (\u3ci\u3eEnterobius vermicularis\u3c/i\u3e) Infection in a Female Adolescent Residing in Ancient Tehran (Iran) 7000 Years Ago

Background: The Molavi street archeological site south of Tehran, Iran accidentally provided a unique opportunity for paleoparasitological studies in Iran. A female skeleton was unearthed and evaluated to be 7,000 years old. Soil samples were collected around the pelvic and sacrum bones. Findings: Careful microscopic investigation of rehydrated soil samples revealed the presence of one Enterobius vermicularis egg attached to the skeleton sacral region. Conclusion: The present finding likely represents the oldest evidence of a human pinworm infection in Asia

Mineralogical and microstructural characterization of ceramics from the fifth and fourth millennium BC in the central plateau of Iran

This research presents the effects of sintering process and clay composition on the physico-mechanical properties of ceramics from the fifth and fourth millennium BC (6950 ± 280 to 5040 ± 220 TL dating). The combined multiscale mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) revealed the increase of round cryptopores and ultramicropores in a range of 0.01–0.1 μm and 0.1–5 μm respectively, closely linked to vitrified glassy connections and bonding between particles and the partial melting of phyllosilicates with different sizes of bubbles at 950 °C. Cold crushing strength (CCS) of the ceramics, containing high calcite and phyllosilicate mineral exhibited a lower strength value from 6.24 to 6.31 MPa at ∼750–800 °C due to the increase in crack porosity area with high interconnectivity and internal stresses. However, the ceramics with a well glassy network show a higher strength value of 16.5Mpa, contributing to sustainable ceramic materials with a uniform cross-section >900 °C and minimal shrinkage for conservation treatment

Geoarchaeology as a tool to understand ancient navigation in the northern Persian Gulf and the harbour history of Siraf

Historical texts and archaeological studies attest to the maritime and trade importance of the Persian Gulf since the Sassanid Empires. Nonetheless, there is a paucity of data regarding ancient navigation and the reasons for a shift in maritime trade from the western (e.g. Shatt-al-Arab) to eastern (Siraf) Persian Gulf by the Abbasid dynasty. For some scholars, Siraf was occupied between 360 and 977 CE, after which time an earthquake en- trained the demise of the city. However, it is unclear when Siraf was founded and how natural navigation conditions changed for ocean-going vessels in harbours of the NW Persian Gulf. To address this knowledge gap, we here present new geoarchaeological data from Siraf. Two anthropogenic facies were detected in drilled cores. They suggest that Siraf dates back to 2 BC-317 CE. After a hiatus, a second occupation phase began during the reign of Shapur II. Relative Sea-Level (RSL) fluctuations, climate change and Persian Gulf bathymetry all affected the possible nautical accessibility of this ancient Persian harbour. A fall in RSL, leading to a shortening of navigable water columns and amplified summer-time Shamal wind from 550 CE onwards possibly led to a loss in the importance of Shatt-al-Arab and other ports in the western Persian Gulf. It appears to have made Siraf the best alternative for seafarers. According to the wind regimes, the best time for arrival and departure from Siraf was August and October, respectively. RSL rise and increasing coastal erosion during the winter-time Shamal winds led to the degradation of harbour potentialities and was possibly at the origin of economic decline and poorly adapted harbour works at Siraf during a 150-year period between 850 and 1000 CE