A Note on the Location of Raxā/Rakkan

Document Type : Original Research Article

Author

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany

Abstract

A number of candidates in the Kor River Basin, Fars, Iran, have previously been proposed for the location of the ancient Raxā/Rakkan a town mentioned in the Bisotūn Inscription and in the Persepolis Fortification Tablets. None of these suggestions, however, is convincing. Based on textual evidence, archaeological observations, and the local environmental conditions, the present study suggests that ancient Rakkan should be identified with the archaeological site of Kal Abdi in the southern part of the Baizā Plain. 

Keywords

Main Subjects


🔓 © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Tissaphernes Archaeological Research Group, Tehran, Iran. Open Access. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDeriv- atives License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, and is not altered, transformed, or built upon in any way. The ethical policy of Persica Antiqua is based on the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines and complies with International Committee of Persica Antiqua Editorial Board codes of conduct. Readers, authors, reviewers and editors should follow these ethical policies once working with Persica Antiqua. The ethical policy of Persica Antiqua is liable to determine which of the typical research papers or articles submitted to the journal should be published in the concerned issue. For information on this matter in publishing and ethical guidelines please visit www.publicationethics.org.

Arfaee, A. (2008). The Geographical Background of the Persepolis Tablets. A dissertation submitted to The faculty of the division of the humanities in candidacy for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Chicago, Illinois, Unpublished.
Arfaee, A. (2008). Gelnebeshtehāye Bārou-ye Takht-e Jamshid: Matnhā-ye Fort. wa The., Majmoye Pazhheshhāye Irān-e Bastān (5), Publication: Markaz-e Dāyeratolmaāref-e Bozorg-e Eslami (Markaz-e Pazhuheshhāye Irāni-Eslāmi), Tehran (=Persepolis Fortification Tablets: FORT and THE. Texts, Ancient Iranian Studies Series (5), Publication: The centre for the Great Islamic Encyclopaedia (Centre for Iranian and Islamic Studies)), Tehran (in Persian). 
Arfaee, A. (2013). Rakān dar Gelnebeshtehāye Takht-e Jamshid: Zarghān-e Bastani (Rakan in the Persepolis Fortification Tablets: Ancient Zarghan), Hodhod Publication, Zarghan (in Persian).
Arfaee, A. (2017). Gelnebeshtehāye Bārou-ye Takht-e Jamshid: Matnhā-ye A-G, Majmoye Pazhheshhāye Irān-e Bastān (10), Khānesh: R. T. Hallock, Tarjomeh va Virāyesh: A. Arfaee, Publication: Markaz-e Dāyeratolmaāref-e Bozorg-e Eslāmi (Markaz-e Pazhuheshhāye Irāni-Eslāmi va Pazhuheshgā-e Mirās-e Farhangi), Jelde Dovoum/Bakhshe Dovoum, Tehran (Persepolis Fortification Tablets: A-G Texts, Transliterated by R. T. Hallock, Translated and Edition A. Arfaee, Ancient Iranian Studies Series (10), Vol. II, Part 2, Publication: The centre for the Great Islamic Encyclopaedia (Centre for Iranian and Islamic Studies) and ICHTO), Tehran (in Persian).
Atayi, M. T. (2019). “Nazariyei bar sheklgiriye shāhanshāhiye Hakhāmaneshi: az Parsua be Pārsa.” (A theory on the formation of the Achaemenid empire: from Parsua to Parsa), In Yousef Hassanzadeh, Ali A. Vahdati and Zahed Karimi (eds.), Majmoeh Maghālāt Hamāyesh-e Bainolmelali Asr-e Āhan dar Gharb-e Iran va Manātegh-e Hamjavār (Proceedings of the International conference on The Iron Age in Western Iran and Neighbouring Regions), National Museum of Iran / Kurdistan ICHHTO, vol. I (2019): 521-593 (in Persian). 
Atayi, M. T. (2021). “Tabaghehbandei wa gounehshenāsi-ye sofalha-ye Gomāne-ye Alef wa Be, Tappeh Qasrdasht (Fars).” (“Classification and typology of potteries from Trench A & B at Tappeh Qasrdasht (Fars)”,) Majale-ye Jāmeh-ye Bāstānshenāsi-ye Iran (Journal of the Society for Iranian Archaeology) 2 (2021): 25-83 (in Persian).
Atayi, M. T; Tavakoli, Ariobarzan; Azizi, Akbar; Karami, Hamidrezā; Zāre Kordshuli, Farhād; Mosavi, Mohsen and Ghezelbāsh, Ebrāhim. (2016a). “Barasi-ye bāstānshenākhti dar Tappeh-ye Qasrdasht-Fars; Gozāresh-e yekom.” (Archaeological Survey at Tappe-ye Qasrdasht, Kamin Plain-Fars: First Report), Majale-ye Jāmeh-ye Bāstānshenāsi-ye Iran=Journal of the Society for Iranian Archaeology, 1 (2016): 87-131 (in Persian).
Atayi, M. T; Ghezelbāsh, Ebrāhim; Zāre, Yones; Tavakoli, Ariobarzan; Rostā Fārsi, Ebrāhim; Fātehi, Gholamrezā; Karami, Hamidrezā and Zāre Kordshuli, Farhād. (2016b). “Kāvosh-e layenegāri dar gomāne-ye pelekāni (Gonāne-ye Alef), Tappeh-ye Qasrdasht-Fars; Gozāresh-e dovom.” (Excavation in Step Trench A, Qasrdasht-Fars; Second Report), Majale-ye Jāmeh-ye Bāstānshenāsi-ye Iran (Journal of the Society for Iranian Archaeology) 1 (2016): 132-158 (in Persian).
Atayi, M. T; Abdi, Kāmyār; Ghezelbāsh, Ebrāhim; Zāre, Yones; Tavakoli, Ariobarzan; Rostā Fārsi, Ebrāhim; Fātehi, Gholamrezā; Karami, Hamidrezā; Shokripur, Meysam and Zāre Kordshuli, Farhād. (2016c). “Kāvosh-e layenegāri dar gomāne-ye pishro (Gonāne-ye Be), Tappeh-ye Qasrdasht-Fars; Gozāresh-e sewom.” (“Excavation in Deep Trench B, Qasrdasht-Fars; Third Report), Majale-ye Jāmeh-ye Bāstānshenāsi-ye Iran (Journal of the Society for Iranian Archaeology) 1 (2016): 159-180 (in Persian).
Atayi, M. T., & Roaf, M. (2019). “The arrival of the Persians into Fars.” In Proceedings of the international Conference on The Iron Age in Western Iran and Neighbouring Regions, 2-3 Nov. 2019, Kurdistan University, Sanandaj, Iran, edited byYousef Hassanzadeh, Ali A. Vahdati and Zahed Karimi National Museum of Iran / Kurdistan ICHHTO, vol II, 175-190.
Atayi, M. T., & . Zare, Sh. (2014-2015). “Bam dar nimeye nokhost-e Hezāre-ye yekom-e pish az milād; Neshānehāyi az Takvin-e Ghodrat dar Iran-e Sharghi.” (Bam in the first half of the first millennium B.C.: Archaeological evidence for the state formation in eastern Iran), Bastanpazhuhi, New Series, 9th year, nos. 18-19: 4-5 (English summary), (2014-2015): 76-92 (in Persian). 
Chardin, J. (1811). Voyages du Chevalier Chardin, en Perse, et autres lieux de L’Orient, Nouvelle édition par L. Langlès, vol. 8, Le Normant, Imprimeur-Libraire, Paris.
Curzon, G. (1892). Persia and the Persian Question, vol. 2, London, New York, Longmans, Green & co.
Doroodi, M., & Hajiani, F. (2018). “Revisiting the Location of Prga in the Behistun Inscription.” The Journal of Indo-European Studies 46, Number 3 & 4: 265-289.
Gorris, E., & Wicks, Y. (2018).  “Neo-Elamite period. Last centuries of Elam”, In J. Álvarez-Mon, G.P. Basello, & Y. Wicks (eds.), The Elamite World, Abingdon, 2018: 249-272.
Hallock, R. (1969). Persepolis Fortification Tablets, University of Chicago Press.
Hallock, R. (1978). “Selected Fortification Texts.” Cahiers de la Délégation Archéologique Franҫaise en Iran 8: 109-136.
Henning, B. (1952). “A Farewell to the Khagan of the Aq-Aqatärān.” Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies 14/ 3: 501-522.
Henkelman, W. (2006-2008). “Rak(k)an.” Reallexikon der Assyriologie und Vorderasiatischen Archäologie 11, Berlin-New York: 232-233.
Henkelman, W. (2008a). The Other Gods Who Are:  Studies in Elamite-Iranian Acculturation based on the Persepolis Fortification Texts (Achaemenid History XIV). Leiden, Nederlands Instituut voor het Nabije Oosten. Henkelman, W. (2008b). “From Gabae to Taoce: the geography of the central administrative province.” In L’archive des Fortifications de Persépolis. État des questions et perspectives de recherches (Persika 12), edited by P. Briant, W. Henkelman & M. Stolper, Paris: 303-316.
Henkelman, W. (2012a).  “Tamukkan/Taḫ(u)makka.” Reallexikon der Assyriologie und Vorderasiatischen Archäologie 13.5/6 Berlin-New York: 440-441.
Henkelman, W. (2012b).  “Tāravā.” Reallexikon der Assyriologie und Vorderasiatischen Archäologie 13, Berlin-New York: 453.
Henkelman, W. (2017).  “Imperial Signature and Imperial Paradigm: Achaemenid administrative structure and system across and beyond the Iranian plateau.” In Die Verwaltung im Achämenidenreich Imperiale Muster und Strukturen Administration in the Achaemenid Empire Tracing the Imperial Signature, Akten des 6. Internationalen Kolloquiums zum Thema »Vorderasien im Spannungsfeld klassischer und altorientalischer Überlieferungen« aus Anlass der 80-Jahr-Feier der Entdeckung des Festungsarchivs von Persepolis, edited by B. Jacobs, W. Henkelman & M. Stolper, Landgut Castelen bei Basel, 14–17. Mai 2013, Harrassowitz Verlag, Wiesbaden: 45-256.
Henkelman, W., and M. Stolper. (2009). “Ethnic identity and ethnic labelling at Persepolis: the case of the Skudrians.” In Organisation des pouvoirs et contacts culturels dans les pays de l’empire achéménide (Persika, 14), edited by P. Briant & M. Chauveau, Paris: 271-329.
Ibn Balkhī, Aḥmad. (1921). Fārs-nāma of Ibnu l-Balkhī (Gibb Memorial Trust Persian Studies). Edited by Guy Le Strange and R. A. Nicholson. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Ibn Hawqal, Abu ͗l Qāsim. (1967). Kitāb ṣurat al-arḍ, 3rd edition. Edited by J. H. Kramers, Bibliotheca Geographorum Arabicorum. Leiden: E.J. Brill.
Ibn Khordādhbeh, Abu ʾl Qasim ʿUbaidallah ibn Abdallah. (1967). Kitāb al-masālik waʾl mamālik, Edited by M. J. de Goeje, Bibliotheca Geographorum Arabicorum, 2nd edition, Leiden Brill.
Jafari, B., & Jafari, R. (2007).  Lapui Setare-ye Derakhshan Fars (Lapui: Shining Star of Fars), Shiraz, Ilaf Publication (in Persian).
Kent, R. (1950).  Old Persian: grammar, texts, lexicon, American Oriental Series 33, New Haven, Connecticut.
Kleiss, W. (1981). “Ein Abschnitt der Achaemenidischen Königsstrasse von Pasargadae und Persepolis nach Susa, bei Naqsh-i Rustam”, Archaeologische Mitteilungen aus Iran 14: 45-53.
Kleiss, W. (1992).  “Brücken aus Zentral- und Sudiran – IV”, Archaeologische Mitteilungen aus Iran 25: 235-245.
Koch, H. (1992). Es Kündet Dareios der könig ...: Vom Leben im Persischen Großreich, Verlag Philipp von Zabern. Mainz/Rhein.
Koch, H. (1993). Achämeniden–Studien, Harrassowitz Verlag, Wiesbaden.
Malek, H. M. (1993). “A Seventh Century Hoard of Sasanian Drachms.” Iran 31: 77-93.
Malek, H. M. (2013). “Late Sasanian Coinage and the Collection in the Muzeh Melli Iran.” Numismatic Chronicle 173: 457-199.
Mochiri, M. I. (1985). “Garmkirmān: A Sasanian and Early Islamic Mint in Kirman Province.” Numismatic Chronicle 145: 109-122.
Muqaddasī, Abū-ʿAbd-Allāh Muḥammad. (1877). ʾAḥsan al-taqāsīm fi maʿrefat al-Aqālīm, Edited by M. J. de Goeje, Bibliotheca Geographorum Iranicorum. Leiden: E.J. Brill.
Zadok, R. (1976). “On the Connections between Iran and Babylonia in the Sixth Century B.C.” Iran 14: 61-78.
Reiner, E. (1972). “Tall-i Malyan-Inscribed material.” Iran 10: 177.
Reiner, E. (1973). “The location of Anšan.” Revue d’Assyriologie et d’archéologie orientale 67, no 1: 57–62.
Reiner, E. (1974). “Tall-i Malyan, Epigraphic finds, 1971-72.” Iran 12: 176.
Scheil, V. (1907). Textes Élamites-Anzanites, troisième série, Mémoires de la Délégation en Perse 9, Paris.
Schmitt, R.  (2009). Die altpersischen Inschriften der Achaimeniden: Editio minor mit deutscher Übersetzung,  Reichert Verlag Wiesbaden.
Sumner, W. (1972). “Tall-i Malyān.” Iran 10: 167.
Sumner, W. (1986). “Achaemenid settlement pattern in the Persepolis plain.” American Journal of Archaeology 90, No. 1: 3-31.
Sumner, W. (n.d). Settlement History of the Kur River Basin, Iran and an Archaeological Gazetteer, Unpublished.
Tavernier, J. (2007). Iranica in the Achaemenid Period (ca. 550-330 BC): Lexicon of Old Iranian Proper Names and Loanwords, Attested in Non-Iranian Texts (Orientalia Lovaniensia Analecta 158). Peeters Publishers.