Theoretical Framework of Archaeology in the Holy Quran

Abstract

The foundational theoretical frameworks in archaeology, largely borrowed from other scientific disciplines, have a relatively short history within the field. Despite this, the Iranian archaeological community has embraced changes in theoretical frameworks since a short period before and a brief hiatus after the Islamic Revolution. This acceptance, although not without challenges, is primarily due to unfamiliarity with case studies related to these theoretical frameworks. Adapting theoretical frameworks tested in the context of ancient American societies to the research landscape of Iran is a complex and challenging endeavor. This paper examines the general theoretical frameworks of archaeology from the perspective of the Holy Quran. While a comprehensive examination of all relevant verses is beyond the scope of this paper, the author aims to present specific examples of Quranic verses. Theoretical frameworks prominent in historical-cultural archaeology, processual archaeology, and post-processual archaeology, all of Western origin, find clear resonance in certain verses of the Holy Quran. In fact, some Quranic verses reflect a comprehensive view of the theoretical frameworks in these three domains. The aim of this paper is to highlight the capacity of the Holy Quran as a guiding source for theoretical frameworks in archaeology, particularly concerning Iranian heritage. By utilizing insights from the Quran, archaeologists can gain a deeper understanding of the past and provide more accurate interpretations of archaeological data.

Keywords

• quranic archaeology
• theoretical framework
• historical-cultural
• processual
• post-processual