BMAC

The burial process of the deceased is among the most tangible evidence for reconstruction and understanding the culture of human societies, which includes both material and spiritual dimensions. Study of material evidence in archaeological excavations can contribute to partial interpretation of ideological motifs. In this context, recognizing burial practices and interpretation of objects within the grave is a manifestation of human culture and philosophical ideas of the other world, customs, religious beliefs as well as social structure and complexity. There are a few studies in this field in cultural zone of Great Khorasan with strategic importance and proximity with several cultural zones around Great Khorasan Ancient Road, although archeological excavations in recent years have resulted in specific material evidence. This article includes structural study of burials in late Bronze Age with a comparative approach encompassing cenotaph, primary, secondary and common human-animal tombs as well as origin of burial cultures. Assessment of evidences indicates similarity of burial practices of Khorasan in late Bronze period with the advanced culture of BMAC in Central Asia, which has been documented in Afghanistan, Pakistan, South East Iran, Caucasus and south Persian Gulf littoral.

One of the issues and problems in the field of recognizing BMAC is to explain the time period for the beginning and end of this culture in its geographical area and especially in Bactria region. A brief look at the sources related to this culture shows that different histories are presented for the period of emergence and end of this culture in different regions of Bactria (Northern Bactria, Southern Bactria and Eastern Bactria). Interval for the emergence of BMAC, different dates are suggested in the period between 2400 to 2100 B.C. and for its end, the date is 1700 or 1400 to 1300 B.C. This concern in the field of chronology, research and study has made it difficult to identify, correctly introduce the works and findings, as well as to compare this culture with neighbor zones and cultures. In this article, an attempt has been made to explain and propose the chronology of this culture in the Bactria region by examining the different opinions of archaeologists and examining the maximum dates of the carbon 14.