Cheshmeh Ali Publication Project

Senior Project Editors

Dr. Timothy Matney (University of Akron)
Dr. Holly Pittman (University of Pennsylvania)
Dr. Hassan Fazeli (Iranian Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization-ICHTO)
Goals: The Cheshmeh Ali Publication Project started in October 2006 with the primary objective of publishing a final report from the Schmidt Expedition (1934-1936) to the prehistoric site of Cheshmeh Ali on the Teheran Plain of north-central Iran. This project is made possible through a generous grant from the Shelby White-Leon Levy Foundation.

Current Research Initiatives

Instant Web Publishing Database
An internet-based database of the Cheshmeh Ali Publication Project provides a comprehensive catalogue of the excavated contexts and artifacts from the 1934-1936 Schmidt Expedition. The database includes materials from the Schmidt Expedition fieldnotes, as well as from the University of Pennsylvania and Oriental Institute collections.

Pottery Iconographic Analysis - Coming Soon!
A comprehensive database is being established recording the motifs, or design elements, on the painted pottery of Cheshmeh Ali. Each design element is being coded in a computer database for analysis. This stylistic study will be integrated with a detailed study of the architectural remains from the site, allowing researchers to better understand the spatial distribution, associations, and development of painted pottery motifs through time.

Schmidt Field Diaries, 1934-1936
Transcribed daily logbooks from the Schmidt Expedition to Rayy from 1934-1936. These were transcribed from handwritten diaries, detailing daily activities and discoveries. Link to a downloadable PDF file.

Cheshmeh Ali Bibliography- Coming Soon!
Brief bibliography of published works relevant to the Cheshmeh Ali Publication Project.

Cheshmeh Ali maps
Scanned versions of a selection of the original plans drawn by Schmidt't team are available for study.

Return to Matney Homepage

 Pottery Design Element Catalogue - Coming Soon!

On-line catalogue of pottery design elements from the Cheshmeh Ali painted ceramics held at the University of Pennsylvania Museum and the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. Click on the links below to see the range of variation within each category of pottery design element.

I. Geometrics
I.A. Simple Bands
I.A.1. Horizontal Simple Bands

I.A.2. Vertical Simple Bands

I.A.3. Diagonal Simple Bands
I.B. Basketry Elements

I.C. Checkerboards

I.D. Triangles, Diamonds, Hourglasses

I.E. Broken Bands (Dots, Dashes, Points)

I.F. Circles
II. Representations
II.A. Animals (Birds, Goats, Ibexes, Snakes, Cattle)

II.B. Trees

II.C. Eyes
III. Composites
III.A. "Looms and Snakes"
IV. Unassigned Motifs