Chalcolithic Settlements in Gavroud Basin in East of Central Zagros

Subject Areas : Prehistoric Archaeology

Hamid Hariryan ¹ , Abbas Motarjem ² , Morteza Hesari ³

1 - Department of Archaeology, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamadan
2 - Department of Archaeology, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamadan
3 - Department of Archaeology, Isfahan Art University, Isfahan

Received: 2023-04-05 Accepted : 2023-04-05 Published : 2016-08-22

Keywords: central Zagros, Chalcolithic period, Sonqor and Kolyaiy, Gavroud Basin, Settlement Patterns,

Abstract :

Gavroud mountain valleys plain in the east of central Zagros with an area of about 985 km2 is located in the northeast of Sonqor and due to favorable environmental conditions has embedded numeral settlements in chalcolithic periods. The cultural relationships in this plain were revealed by potteries from regional cultures including Godin, She-Gabi, and Dalma. Also, this evidence indicates a parallel and convergence evolution in the chalcolithic culture of the study area with central Zagros. This study investigates affecting environmental variables related to settlement patterns. Results revealed that settlement site selection in Gavroud Plain in the chalcolithic eras was affected by bioclimatic and environmental conditions and land use capability. It could be mentioned that the high density of water bodies such as springs and streams flowing in mountain valleys provide suitable conditions for the development of chalcolithic cultures. Also, it is worth noting that the penetration of Dalma culture through the plain indicates the high potential of the area to provide human requirements and formulate ultra-regional relationships.