Journal of Archaeological Studies

Abstract One of the cultural characteristics of eastern zone at central part of Zagros Range during 3rd millennium BC and at early Bronze Age is the extension of the related habitats to Yaniq Culture (Ancient City near Abhar) in this region. Within field study conducted in 2008 in the plains covering central Zagros eastern side that is situated in Alvan Basin, we managed to identify more than habitats relating to Early Bronze Age. According to analysis done on the data derived from this survey in GIS software environment and by adaption of statistical methods, the relationship between site of habitat and its ecological factors has been assessed. Based on design of this model, we managed to interpret some reason for creation of settlements in this region during Early Bronze Age as well as the existing relationship among the given habitats and archaic routes passed between Iranian Plateau and Mesopotamia at 3rd millienium BC. Using GIS software made it possible for us to identify the reason for many settlement displacements based on archeological evidences at Early Bronze Age so that to describe their settlement models. We can purpose this point, as result of this study, that one may suggest a type of pseudo- nomadic and dry- farming system as economic system for people at Early Broze Age within a limited scale in this region.

Abstract During this survey 29 sites have been recognized totally. Settlement patterns determined base of environmental characteristics such as altitude, ground slope, source of water, petrology and geology, vegetations, land use and specifications of sites including width, chronology, regional distribution and density and all of them have been divided by using geographic information systems (GIS) and cluster analysis in five clusters including I, II, III, IV and V.
On the basis of the collected data, effective reasons for development of permanent settlements in plain are: variant slope from higher part to lower surrounded plain in hillsides, high density sediments in adjacent mountains, and influence of seasonal network in northwest of the region as well as low height valley. Moreover the reasons of increasing the number of pastoral sites in pastures are: higher altitude and unsuitable agricultural grounds and shallow extended sites in every parts of region