Exploring Early Distillation Hypotheses: Investigating Unique Pottery from Tepe Sagzabad on the Central Iranian Plateau (Iron Age)

Tepe Sagzabad (2200 BC to 500 BC), located in the northwestern region of Iran’s central plateau, lies along a key east-west trade route on the Iranian Plateau. This site faces numerous challenges, including seasonal floods, and seismic activity. In 2016, the excavation of Trench 6 unearthed a distinctive vessel in Context 6006, characterized by a closed head, knob-shaped top, and side handles. Its unusual form suggests similarities to traditional alembics used in distillation, sparking debate over its function. Chemical analysis revealed secondary crystallizations such as gypsum and calcite, likely a result of environmental weathering, but no dairy lipid residues were found, challenging the theory of their use in milk production. This study compares Tepe Sagzabad vessels with similar artifacts, offering insights into the development of early distillation technology in the region. These findings highlight the complexity of reconstructing ancient technological systems and emphasize the need for further research to understand early distillation practices on the Iranian Plateau. This study serves as a preliminary exploration of distillation-related artefacts in prehistoric Iran, offering a unique case for future comparative analyses.