مطالب

The fifth season of archeological excavation of Konar Sandal Mound Hill in Jiroft (located in southeast of Iran) in 2006 was characterized by discovery of a clay monument on the wall of one of the architectural spaces there. With dimensions of 110 × 95 cm and 18cm thickness, the monument is regarded as the unique and oldest clay relief ever discovered (third millennium BC). On the one hand, historical and artistic values of the unique monument and its location in the site and environmental and human threats causing serious damages to it on the other hand, has made its documentation ever more necessary. The study of constituting materials and building techniques of the monument was done through macroscopic (field and visual study) and microscopic (optical and electron) methods as well as chemical analysis of elements and compounds on the clay foundation and its color layers (FT-IR, XRF, XRD, and SEM-EDS). The results suggest that the clay monument was built in two parts, namely the built-on torso and lower torso (skirt) which was carved out on a cob wall. Then, a delicate finish layer made of clay was put on the colored layer. The finish layer was made by using mineral pigments such as limonite (yellow) for covering the body (i.e. arms, chest and waist scarf), and Ochre hematite (red) and carbon (black) for ornament of embossed skirt. The used clay soil is of montmorillonite type which reacts, expands and contracts significantly due to humidity variation.

Demographic discourses in the media or public inform lay people and may impact population planning and policies. Understanding the situation and characteristics of public demographic discourses in Iran helps the government and policy makers to identify experts’ advice to use in effective policymaking and to discern public perceptions and understanding of population policies and promote changes in fertility behavior. The aim of this paper is to examine public demographic discourses which are produced and reproduced in the Iranian media to affect fertility policy and decision making after the announcement of General Population Policies by the Supreme Leader in 2014. This paper uses the critical discourse analysis for analyzing demographic discourses in websites of two influential Iranian newspapers, i.e., Keyhan and Iran, and demographers’ ideas and opinions available online during 21 March 2010 and 21 May 2016. The critical discourse analysis illustrates that the main discourse for public demography is “Conceptual”. Analyzing texts indicates that demographers have tried to reduce the gap between science – policy by disseminating simple and understandable demographic discussions in the media. They argue that demographic issues are specialized topics and require scientific and rigorous research. Therefore, the first step for policymaking and planning is the recognition and understanding of population situation. Public demography intends to facilitate the formulation of an evidence-based policymaking to achieve General Population Policy objectives. Policymakers are recommended to provide favorable social and economic contexts supporting family formation and childbearing towards sustainable population growth outlined in the General Population Policies. Public demography has a vital role in providing a deeper understanding of future population trends and policies.