Human Mobility in NW Iran During the Early Iron Age (c. 1250–850 bce): The Strontium Isotope Evidence From Masjed-e Kabud Cemetery

Abstract

The transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age is one of the most discussed topics in the archaeology of Iran. This includes the processes that led to the formation of the Mannaean Kingdom in the northwestern part of the country, which is considered a forerunner of the famous Median Empire. Here, we investigate the pattern of migration during the four centuries preceding the establishment of the Mannaean Kingdom. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values were measured in enamel of early developing permanent teeth (first molars and incisors) in a sample of 28 individuals of both sexes from Masjed-e Kabud cemetery (modern Tabriz). Only two individuals have non-local strontium isotope values; however, they might have been inhabitants of the region located just a few kilometers south of the cemetery. No evidence of long-distance migration was identified, suggesting that the establishment of the early states in this region was not a consequence of migration, but rather of social development in the local population.