Mojtaba Safari; Hedayat allah kalvari Janaki; Narjes Heydari; Javad Rajabi Chashani,
Abstract
AbstractKohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad are located in the Southern Zagros, which contains valuable information about settelmeents with a nomadic livelihood and semi-temporary agricultural ...
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AbstractKohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad are located in the Southern Zagros, which contains valuable information about settelmeents with a nomadic livelihood and semi-temporary agricultural during the Islamic era, especially the middle and late Islamic centuries. Cham-Shir area in Dogonbadan city informs us about the settlements of this period. Site 089 of Cham-Shir, according to the architectural structures and the type of pottery obtained from the excavation of 2022, is a settlement characterized by pastoral nomadism with agriculture. Favorable geographical conditions and special natural complications, such as the passage of the Zohreh River and green slopes that better affect the surrounding environment in the second half of the year, make the studied area a favorable place for nomadic communities with vertical displacement. The site’s excavation includes architectural and pottery data that, when analyzed, show a close relationship with this way of life. In this site’s architectural structure, several spaces were created for human habitation to place items related to this lifestyle and one or two larger structures attached to the living space to keep livestock. Along with the architectural collection, pottery finds were found which, according to their form, their quality of construction and possible use, further confirm the relationship of these architectural collections with the nomadic style. Site 089 includes five separate building units with wide dimensions, revealed during the excavation in two units with different architectural structures using the same raw materials and construction techniques. In these architectural units, all kinds of Istakhr-type pottery, pseudo-prehistoric pottery, glazed pottery, and simple pottery of the Islamic period were found, similar to the examples obtained from Fars, Khuzestan, Kerman, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari. The study of architectural units led to the relative chronology of the site.Keywords: Cham-Shir, Site 089, Middle and Late Islamic Period, Nomadism and Semi-temporary Agriculture. 1. IntroductionSite 089, situated on the slopes of Cham Cheru Mountain within a narrow valley, occupies a key position in advancing our understanding of Islamic-era settlement patterns. Its strategic location linked via a gravel road to Gachsaran and the surrounding plains and villages of Babamonir, Mishan, and Mahor offers critical insights into the region’s nomadic lifeways. The presence of the Zahra River and verdant slopes, particularly during the second half of the year, has rendered the area favorable for seasonal transhumance. Due to the poor quality and stony nature of the soil in this sedimentary zone, conditions have historically been unsuitable for the development of permanent agricultural villages, a pattern that appears consistent with past land use.The study of this area highlights the richness of nomadic cultural heritage and associated settlement traditions. Three major features underscore the significance of Site 089:1. Its proximity to Cham Cheru Mountain, particularly the presence of architectural remains on the summit; 2. The distribution of cemeteries and arched stone structures scattered both within and around the site; 3. The notable concentration of stone-cut architectural elements, indicating the area’s distinct role within the broader context of nomadic heritage in the region.These attributes position Site 089 as a valuable case for modeling patterns of nomadic settlement and for guiding future archaeological investigations. The present study aims to establish the relative chronology of architectural features and to develop a typology of pottery uncovered during excavation. Key research questions include:• To what extent do the site’s architectural remains correspond with known settlement strategies and chronological frameworks? Which historical periods can be assigned to the ceramic assemblage based on comparative analysis? Can architectural and ceramic evidence at the site illuminate patterns of interaction between the Cham-Shir region and adjacent areas?To address these questions, the study employed a combination of fieldwork, archival research, descriptive-analytical methods, and comparative analyses. Following excavation, the architectural structures were reconstructed in plan form to support the dating of architectural phases and contextualize the associated ceramic materials. Pottery finds were then classified and subjected to typological analysis and comparative chronology, allowing for broader cross-regional comparisons. 2. DiscussionNomadic life and animal husbandry result from human interaction with the surrounding environment; in this way of life, we see the regular movement of human groups within a single ecological territory. Although this lifestyle seems very simplistic at first glance, a regular and specific socio-economic system within its divisions should be studied separately from single-settlement, rural and urban units. However, very little evidence of this way of life remains. The necessary awareness of this lifestyle depends on accepting it as an independent entity with certain remaining material characteristics. One of the most important indicators is the architectural culture of these tribes, which took on a special form after establishing their settlements. The characteristic features of these architectural structures are their location next to springs and rivers, an ecological space with pastures and meadows around permanent settlements, location at higher altitudes or on the edge of natural hills, and the use of local materials such as stone. This situation leads to the formation of the cultural landscape of the nomads. These establishments have a periodic geometric pattern, mostly built based on the slope of the land, security and visibility of the area. These structures’ overall form and structure are a function of their function and how they are used. One of the most complex issues under investigation is identifying the distinguishing features of the architectural structures and the factors influencing the formation of their cultural landscape. These factors encompass the physical, cultural, and social dimensions of the society in which they developed. A clear example of this can be seen in the construction of buildings on sloped terrain, necessitating the creation of terraces, the use of minimally processed materials such as porcelain stoneware, the internal division of space without partition walls, and the presence of specific entrance arrangements. These structures exhibit hierarchical patterns that appear closely linked to the socio-spatial organization of nomadic communities. 3. ConclusionIn the flatter areas, architectural planning involved the use of higher-quality materials and more regular geometric layouts. In contrast, as one moves further up the slope, structures tend to vary more in size and shape, their architectural integrity diminishes, and in some instances, natural features were used as enclosures. A significant feature of these settlements is the positioning of residential units along gentle slopes, providing wide visibility and control over the surrounding landscape a strategic consideration in nomadic settlement planning.The ceramic assemblage from the site corresponds well with the architectural phases and dates primarily from the middle to the late centuries of the Islamic period. Notably, Istakhr-type ceramics characteristic of the middle Islamic centuries have parallels with contemporaneous sites in Fars Province, which is likely their place of origin. The assemblage includes glazed, unglazed, and plain wares that are datable to the same general timeframe and are commonly found at Islamic-period sites across Iran. Additionally, the site yielded pseudo-prehistoric ceramics, which also date from the middle to late Islamic centuries. These are comparable to pottery discovered in regions such as Fars, Khuzestan, and Kerman (particularly the Narmashir Plain settlements), as well as in several other areas across the Iranian plateau.
