A GENERAL OVERVIEW ON PEARL, PEARL FISHING AND PEARL TRADE IN THE PERSIAN GULF IN THE ANCIENT AGE

Abstract

Pearls, which are known for their elegant beauty, nice luminescence, uniqueness, were are characterized as the treasure of the seas and a precious gift of nature, and have been used as jewellery for centuries. Pearls, which are the most precious jewellery that perfected in the hands of nature, were perhaps the first precious organic stones discovered by people were seeking food and drink in prehistoric times. There are archaeological data showing that pearls have been discovered in the Persian Gulf since the Neolithic Period and pearl fishing has been performed. The purpose of this study, is to try enlighten the pearl fishing and pearl trade in the Persian Gulf in the Ancient Age, on which limited research has been done, in the light of archaeological data and written sources.

Keywords

• Persian Gulf, pearl, mother of pearl, oyster, pearl fishing.

ESKİÇAĞ’DA BASRA KÖRFEZİ’NDE İNCİ, İNCİ AVI VE TİCARETİ ÜZERİNE GENEL BİR BAKIŞ

Abstract

Zarif güzelliği, latif parlaklığı ve eşsizliğiyle bilinen inciler, denizlerin hazinesi ve tabiatın kıymetli bir hediyesi olarak vasıflandırılmış, asırlar boyunca mücevher olarak kullanılmıştır. Doğanın elinde mükemmelleşen ve en kıymetli mücevherler arasında yer alan inciler, belki de tarih öncesi dönemlerde yiyecek ve içecek arayan insanların keşfettiği ilk değerli organik taşlardı. Neolitik Dönem’den itibaren Basra Körfezi’nde incinin keşfedildiğine ve inci avının yapıldığına dair arkeolojik veriler mevcuttur. Bu dönemde başlayan inci avı, Basra Körfezi’ndeki başlıca ekonomik aktivitelerden biri olarak 20. yüzyıla kadar önemini korumuştur. Bu çalışmanın amacı üzerinde sınırlı araştırma yapılmış olan Eskiçağ’da Basra Körfezi’nde inci avı ve ticaretini arkeolojik veriler ve yazılı kaynaklar ışığında ele alarak aydınlatmaya çalışmaktır.

Keywords

• Basra Körfezi
• inci
• inci acvılığı
• sedef

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