Ritual Use of Shells in the Zagros Region of the Iranian Plateau

This study attempts to explore two fundamental questions: 1) Why have shells long been used as an exotic andnon-subsistence commodity? And 2) Does the ongoing use and sacred character of shells provide evidence forthe persistence of a religious and spiritual attitude toward them? Shell habitats include the northern shores of thePersian Gulf, as well as the Sea of Oman, extending from the southern Iranian plateau to the Indus Valley. Theextraction and trade of seashells as commodities have been in demand since the Upper Palaeolithic and continueto this day. The analysis of the context used indicates that most shell objects are found in temples and shrines orgiven as offerings to the dead. Clearly, this context highlights a religious significance and reflects the beliefs ofpeople throughout different periods regarding life after death and the special meaning attributed to these objects.In ethnographic contexts, shells symbolise spiritual forces, serving functions such as repelling demons and theevil eye. The brilliance and other physical properties of shells have captivated human interest from an aestheticperspective. Water has also played a profound role in the ancient cultures of the Middle East, with gods associatedwith water evident in the ancient cultures of Iran from the Middle Bronze Age onwards. The enduring belief inthe religious significance of shell objects, which has remained relatively unchanged since the Palaeolithic andNeolithic periods, aids in the interpretation of ancient contexts.