Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D Candidate of Ancient Iranian History, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor of the Department of History, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

10.22059/jhss.2024.377672.473717

Abstract

Sogd was a region located between Iran and China. Over time, the Sogdians established settlements as a result of trade and commerce along the so-called Silk Roads. They entered China at the end of the third century B.C. This connection, and the settlement of groups of them in the northern and western regions of China, has attracted the attention of Chinese historians. In their accounts, they have mentioned various aspects of Sogdian life, including culture and religion. The burial and mourning rites of the Sogdians, which were influenced by their religious life, are among the topics discussed in these sources. The aim of this research is, on the one hand, to verify the reports of these sources and, on the other hand, to find out what these rituals are and how they are performed. The Chinese historiographies used in this study are diverse and belong to the period from the 4th to the 11th century AD. Their accounts are often brief. Examination and analysis of the data from these sources shows that their contents are generally valid and that the funeral rituals of the Sogdians are diverse and, with a few concessions, in line with Zoroastrian traditions. Sogdian funeral customs are also very similar to those of other Iranian peoples and traditions

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