Ancient Landings and Harbours in the Light of Navigation Practices: The Case of the Nâyband Gulf Site

Identifying Arsacid and Sasanian ports along the Iranian coast of the Persian Gulf plays a crucial role in understanding historical settlement dynamics and communication patterns in an area characterised by difficult climate and environmental conditions. Recent archaeological studies have revived research into naval and maritime archaeology, particularly by Iranian teams exploring various regions of the Persian Gulf. As part of these efforts, considerable attention has been paid to the reconstruction of the ancient coastline in an area with geomorphological changes and environmental conditions relevant to port activities. A remarkable inventory of stone anchors along the northern coast of the Persian Gulf highlights the potential importance of Nâyband as a central port, as evidenced by a significantly higher number of anchors compared to other sites, including Sirâf. However, the limited availability of written records from the pre-Islamic period requires comparative analysis with better-documented Mediterranean contexts, particularly in relation to Roman ports. This study aims to identify ancient port areas through a multi-layered approach that combines archaeological finds, analysis of traditional seafaring practices, and modern geophysical surveying techniques, as outlined in the project. By integrating insights from geoarchaeology and advanced surveying methods such as side-scan sonar and multibeam systems, this research should seek to shed light on the dynamics that influence people's decisions when settling coastal areas and exploiting resources. Unfortunately, the worsening of the international political situation has affected the fieldwork of the Italian team in Iran, leading to the cancellation of entire sections of the project and a reduction in the overall results. Nevertheless, this research contributes to the objectives of the PRIN 2017 project by improving our understanding of the settlements from the Arsacid and Sasanian periods. This is also possible thanks to the site's involvement and interactions with the marine environment. The site in the bay of Nâyband, which benefited from A. Sembroni's geomorphological study, serves as an exemplary model for a careful research methodology and highlights the fundamental role of a fully informed approach to the practical aspects of seafaring. This article focuses on the detailed assessments of the maritime activities carried 8. Ancient Landings and Harbours in the Light of Navigation Practices: The Case of the Nâyband Bay Site Diego Maria Mezzapelle 164 ERANSHAHR. MAN, LANDSCAPE, AND SOCIETY IN ARSACID AND SASANIAN IRAN out at the site and highlights the complex procedures used to determine specific details and draw conclusions.1