Table of Contents

Introduction

I - Historical and Geographical Background
1. Geographical setting
2. American and Iranian excavation synthesis
3. Historical setting

II - The Excavation and the Absolute Chronology
1. Introduction to the Irano-French Excavation
2. Dating Problems
3. Thermoluminescence Analysis (TL)
- Sample preparation
- Measurement apparatus
- Luminescence tests
- Palaeodose
- Annual dose
- Numerical simulation
- Results
4. The Archaeomagnetism Analysis as TL support for dating
- The Archaeomagnetism Analysis
- Sample collection and magnetic properties
- Intensity experiments
- Archaeointensity results
- Conclusion
5. The Stratigraphical sequence
- Test B
- Test 10
- Test 26
- Test 27
6. Interpreting the Occupation Chronology and the Urban development

III - Pottery study and analyses
1. Recording methodology
2. Questioning the material: the ceramic analysis program
- Preliminary comments
- The fabrics:
Petrographic and chemical analyses
The clayey fabrics
The fritwares
- The glazed wares: physical and chemical analyses
- Where were the ceramics made?
3. Interpretating the analyses : the ceramic groups and their production

IV - Chronology of the Qohandez pottery
1. Introduction to the Tests
2. Chronological sequence of the Qohandez pottery
- Period I
- Period II
- Period IIIa
- Period IIIb
3. Comparative study with the main Khorasanian sites

Conclusion