A Typological Catalogue of the Pottery from Tepe Sadegh

This dataset presents a comprehensive typological and chronological analysis of pottery from Tepe Sadegh, a Bronze Age satellite site of Shahr-i Sokhta in southeast Iran. Potsherds were classified and typologically analysed based on their physical characteristics, including clay paste, slip, temper, quality, firing rate, decoration, function


CONTEXT
Tepe Sadegh is located in the south of Ghale Rostam, 13 km southwest of Shahr-i Sokhta (30.49762°N, 61.23836°E) (Figure 1).It is a satellite site of Shahr-i Sokhta, 1 a Bronze Age site with four periods of occupation covering almost 1,200 years.The archaeological remains of Shahr-i Sokhta cover 270 ha, and it is over 2,220 m long and 1,090 m wide, making it possible to consider Shahr-i Sokhta as one of the largest Bronze Age sites in the eastern part of the Iranian plateau. 2 Tepe Sadegh's mound is an oval shape with a dimension of 150 × 200 m in the east-west direction, with a maximum height of 6 m.There are millions of potsherds on its hills and hundreds of pottery furnaces around Shahr-i Sokhta.Based on the studies conducted so far, most of the pottery was produced outside of Shahr-i Sokhta and in satellite villages such as Tepe Graziani, Tepe Talebkhan, and Tepe Sadegh. 3Based on the last survey done in Sistan Plain more than 900 settlements of 1-3 ha of the same period have been registered. 4Settlements near Shahr-i Sokhta are considered satellite settlements.Tepe Sadegh is located at 13 km in a southwestern direction from Shahr-I Sokhta.Similarly, Tepe Gratziani is situated 12 km to the southeast, and Tepe Talebkhan is positioned at a distance of 12 km to the south. 5The pottery of this area can be classified into four main categories: buff, grey, red, and multi-coloured pottery. 6e lack of knowledge of the pottery typology and chronology of Tepe Sadegh up to now and the importance of pottery for understanding the cultural changes of ancient societies made it necessary to classify and typologically analysis the potsherds.
Based on the pottery, 1,394 potsherds out of 1,959 could be compared with surrounding Bronze Age settlements.Most similarities are with southeast Iran, then Pakistan and Afghanistan.Shahr-i Sokhta with 1,171, Bampur with 53, and Tepe Yahya with 23 comparable potsherds were the main comparable sites in Iran.In Pakistan, Mundigak with 84, and in Afghanistan, Miri Qalat with 32 were the main comparable sites.These potsherds are mainly comparable with Miri Qalat III, Mundigak IV, Tepe Yahya IVB, Bampur IV, Rud Biaban III, and Shahr-i Sokhta II and III.They are from 2700 BCE to 2300 BCE, which, based on all old and new chronologies, belong to periods II and III of Shahr-i Sokhta.Based on the pottery typology and comparisons that have been made, Tepe Sadegh can be dated as being part of the second and third periods of Shahr-i Sokhta.

METHODOLOGY
Pottery classification is a fundamental technique in archaeological research that is critical for understanding archaeological chronology. 8Classification serves both descriptive and interpretive purposes and provides a Figure 1 Tepe Sadegh, Shahr-i Sokhta, and surrounding Bronze Age settlements. 7ethod for conducting research and organizing data.Different typologies are used to classify artifacts based on their physical characteristics, enabling archaeologists to differentiate and interpret them.Tepe Sadegh's excavations were conducted over six seasons, yielding various artifacts such as pottery, figurines, bronze objects, alabaster, botanic, and charcoal samples, but this dataset focuses exclusively on pottery from the first, fourth, fifth, and sixth seasons of excavations.Library and documentation information were combined with archaeological findings, including notes, copies, scans, and photos.The analysis involved several steps, such as the classification of significant pottery, typology, chronology, and comparisons with other sites.
A method was developed using excavation information to select significant pottery.Approximately 1,959 potsherds were selected for typological studies based on specific criteria, including shape, decorations, and other characteristics.The selected potsherds were classified based on various pottery variables.
A comprehensive typological study was conducted, comparing the samples both interregionally and intraregionally.Various sites from southeast Iran, Pakistani Makran, Afghani Sistan, and Mundigak were selected.Based on typology, the potsherds were dated chronologically from 2700 BCE to 2300 BCE, corresponding to periods II and III of Shahr-i Sokhta.All typological comparisons and chronological studies were entered into a database and are presented in CSV format.

QUALITY CONTROL
All published data have been examined and doublechecked in detail; for chronological study, multibibliographical cross-checks have been performed on data.

CONSTRAINTS
The periodization of certain vessels and potsherds is affected by several constraints.In published excavation reports for various sites, typological conservatism and unreliable stratigraphic sequences present one of the major challenges.Due to this lack of reliable data, it can be difficult to determine the chronology of certain artifacts.Furthermore, there are a number of ongoing excavations at the adjacent sites that have not yet been fully published, thereby further limiting the amount of data available for analysis.

DATASET DESCRIPTION OBJECT NAME
The files "Database.csv"and "Database.xlsx"contain data related to the classification, typology, and chronology of pottery recorded through archaeological excavation reports.
Database fields are listed in Table 1.
The "Drawings of Significant Potsherds of Tepe Sadegh.pdf" file contains drawings of selected potsherds from different excavations of Tepe Sadegh.

COLUMN SCOPE Drawing No.
It indicates the number of potsherd's drawings available in the "Drawings of Significant Potsherds of Tepe Sadegh.PDF" file.

Trench No.
The trench number of the potsherd's origin is indicated here.

Layer
This field designates the specific layer within which the potsherd was discovered.

Piece
It signifies whether the potsherd represents the rim, base, body section, or a complete rim-base profile.

Clay Paste
This attribute provides information on the colour of the potsherd's paste.

Colour of Wash/ Slip
This attribute identifies the colour of the applied wash or slip on the potsherd.

Wash/Slip
It indicates whether the wash or slip is of a watery (wash) or thick (slip) consistency.

Position of Wash/ Slip
This field specifies whether the wash or slip is located on the interior, exterior, or on both sides of the potsherd.

Chamotte
This field denotes the size of the chamotte present in the potsherd.

Inside Quality
These fields describe the quality of the potsherd on each side.

Firing Rate
Depending on this value, the potsherd may exhibit either sufficient or insufficient firing.

Rate of Safety
This field indicates the current condition of the potsherd.

Inside Painting
These fields provide details regarding the presence, pattern, and colour of any inside or outside painting on the potsherd.

Outside Painting
Painting Pattern

Inside Engraving
These attributes specify the position and motif of any engraving on the potsherd.

Drawing/Shape
It indicates which of these categories has been utilized for typological classification.

Comparable Site
These fields reveal the comparable archaeological site and period associated with the potsherd.

Reference
Reference sources are indicated in this field.

Table 1
Descriptions of column headers appearing in Database.csv and Database.xlsx.