New article published – The Material Culture of early Dynastic and Akkadian Period Conflict: Copper and Bronze Weapons from Khafajah

Just published in Canadian Society for Mesopotamian Studies Journal, vol. 13: The Material Culture of early Dynastic and Akkadian Period Conflict: Copper and Bronze Weapons from Khafajah

Please find a link here to the pdf of the article: CSMS Journal Vol 13 Final_Stefanski

Also available on Academia.edu: https://www.academia.edu/44447705/The_Material_Culture_of_early_Dynastic_and_Akkadian_Period_Conflict_Copper_and_Bronze_Weapons_from_Khafajah

Newly Published – Dynamics in Ceramic Production: Petrographic Analysis of Ceramics from Godin Tepe III:6 and III:5 (Iran, 2020)

Free full article link (or contact me for a pdf if interested):

https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/AWZ36EFF9GAC4JBRB2QT/full?target=10.1080/05786967.2020.1781545

Abstract: Petrographic analysis was conducted on pottery from Early Bronze Age archaeological levels at Godin Tepe (western Iran), for the purpose of defining traditions of raw material procurement and ceramic production methods in the context of a local abandonment and resettlement of an agricultural town within the excavation area. Thin-section samples of ceramics representing various ware types from each phase were analysed with a polarising light microscope. The results reveal that there was some continuity in raw material procurement strategies between these phases, especially with buff common wares. The high degree of petrofabric homogeneity within buff common wares strongly suggests the presence of workshops producing them, while more variation among buff coarse and grey-black wares indicates possible household production. A distinct petrofabric of mostly metamorphosing red shale inclusions appeared in III:5, closely associated with red-slipped wares which proliferated in that archaeological phase, suggests the appearance of a novel ceramic tradition at the summit of the town mound, alongside the persistence of existing ceramic traditions and raw material procurement strategies.

 

Oriental Institute Collections Research Grant

Had a wonderful time studying the archive at the University of Chicago Oriental Institute – thank you to everyone I worked with during my stay the previous week, and sincere thanks to the Oriental Institute for awarding me the Oriental Institute Collections Research Grant 2019-2020!

The Oriental Institute archive really is a treasure trove – lots of material from the Diyala Expedition and the associated publications there that hasn’t been digitized and has been practically unseen since the 60’s, including plans with elevations which I needed for my PhD dissertation.

Also thank you to everyone who attended my talk on Friday, February 21st. I am happy to share my powerpoint with anyone who is interested, feel free to contact at arthur.stefanski@mail.utoronto.

Public Lecture on Nov. 13th – Warrior Culture in Early Mesopotamia: Developments in Late Early Dynastic and Akkadian Khafajah

I will be presenting a free public lecture at the University of Toronto on November 13th at 7pm, at WI 1017 (Willcocks Hall – 40 Willcocks Street):

Abstract: Excavations in the 1930’s at the site of Khafajah, located east of modern Baghdad, revealed archaeological levels from the 3rd millennium BC. Reconstructions using old excavation plans show that, based on inscribed objects, the latest levels date to the reigns of the Akkadian kings Rimush and Naram-Sin. A development of warrior culture took place at Khafajah from the late Early Dynastic period to the Akkadian period, a time when historical records indicate a surge in the frequency and scale of warfare. Fortifications were built and improved, and weapons increased in the assemblage and began to be included as grave goods, giving insight into their symbolic role within warrior identity.

I will also have an article on the same topic as this lecture appear in the next issue of the Canadian Society for Mesopotamian Studies Journal, due out late this year.

Research project upload – Uruk, Jemdet Nasr, Early Dynastic, and Akkadian period Pottery from Nippur in the ROM collection

Uploaded a research project from 2016 from my PhD coursework, where I drew pottery from the Uruk, Jemdet Nasr, Early Dynastic I and II, and Akkadian periods from Nippur at the Royal Ontario Museum and went through description cards from the ROM collection.

A link can be found on my publication page or on Academia.edu.