A Study on Mithraism Signs in Motifs of Jiroft Ancient Civilization’s Stone Works, 5000 B.C.

Abstract

In January 2001, a flood in Kerman province revealed Jiroft ancient city belonging to 5000 B.C. and there, a treasure of objects with distinctive carvings were discovered. Considering the anonymity of this ancient civilization and its importance, works and motifs left by this civilization are the only available sources of information which can provide valuable information about beliefs, customs, the way of life, and other aspects of said civilization. Present paper aims to identify beliefs of Jiroft civilization in 5000 BC. It seems there are signs of Mithraism in the motifs of Jiroft civilization. Studying the existence of Mithraism ritual in Motifs of Ancient civilization is the main subject of present paper. Geographical and historical situation of Jiroft civilization; then, categorization of works based on type, their shape and application are studied in present paper. Afterwards, Mithraism and its signs are introduced; in addition, the relationship of Jiroft civilization motifs with Mithraism is taken into account. Therefor we have compared signs of Mithraism with motifs of ancient Mithra temples and with soapstone vessels of Jiroft civilization. Many similarities have been observed among Mithraism signs and motifs of Mithra temples with Ancient motifs of Jiroft Civilization. According to the results of present research, it is likely that Jiroft civilization religion in 5000 BC was Mithraism. Library research methods has been used in this study.

Keywords

• civilization of jiroft
• soapstone vessels
• mithraism
• mithra temples