Journal of Archaeological Studies

The Analysis of Settlement Patterns of Iron Age in Piranshahr Plain Relying on Geographic Information System (GIS)

Obaidollah Sorkhabi; reza rezaloo; KARIM HAJIZADEH

Volume 13, Issue 4 , September 2022, , Pages 97-115

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2021.257545.142564

Abstract

Interpretation of human’s old behaviors in the past and paying attention to complex and interactive processes between humans and the environment to be understood in terms of their ... Read More Interpretation of human’s old behaviors in the past and paying attention to complex and interactive processes between humans and the environment to be understood in terms of their dependence on the components of the natural and ecological environment is the center of modern archaeology’s attention. Archaeological surveys and analysis of settlement patterns are considered well-known methods in archaeology to help identify these interactive processes.With the studies of the Archaeological Board of the University of Pennsylvania on Hasanlu Hill and the Sandus Plain, the southern basin of Lake Urmia became one of the most important archaeological sites and a basis for chronology in northwestern Iran. Meanwhile, Piranshahr plain on one hand due to its proximity toHasanlu area in the north and Rabat area in the south and on the other hand due to the neighborhood of this area with great powers such as Assyria, Urartu and Mana in the first half of the first millennium BC, Is one of the important areas in terms of archaeological studies of the Iron Age in northwestern Iran. This study examined the Piranshahr plain, assuming that the Iron Age settlements of the Piranshahr plain follow a specific settlement pattern. In this research, using field and library studies and geographical analysis models, a methodical and appropriate interpretation of the distribution of Iron Age areas and the first millennium BCPiranshahr plain was presented. Studies have shown that the Iron Age settlements in the region are most affected by two geographical factors, altitude from sea surface and access to rivers, and this has led to the creation of linear networks in the course of rivers resulting to a suitable choice of height relating to the plain. It was also found that the Iron Age settlements of this plain, following the shape of the roughness and natural geography of the region in the first half of the first millennium BC, by creating a specific settlement hierarchy, tended to form an independent local political unit. The existence of this political unit in modern Assyrian writings as Xubuskie could be identified.

Studying the Effect of Natural Factors on Spatial Distribution of Sassanid Sites of Darreh Shahr City

Akbar Sharifinia; Yaghoub Mohammadifar; Esmail Hemati Azandaryani

Volume 13, Issue 3 , September 2021, , Pages 69-92

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2020.295031.142826

Abstract

Today, the approach of new archeology studies is applying different sciences, especially use of geographic information system (GIS) and sciences such as statistics, and different methods ... Read More Today, the approach of new archeology studies is applying different sciences, especially use of geographic information system (GIS) and sciences such as statistics, and different methods and models of these sciences. By using other scientific methods and tools, the orientation of spaces archeology has largely achieved a correct understanding of issues such as establishment pattern of ancient civilizations and the interactions between humans and environment. Darreh Shahr city in Ilam province is one of the areas where, apart from some scattered references in the content of geographical texts, no purposeful study has been done regarding the presence of Sassanids there. Therefore, in order to fill this historical gap, after conducting archeological studies with the aim of discovering the cultural evidence of the Sassanid presence in this city, 117 monuments were identified. Some researchers believe that the ruins of Seymareh in the south and southwest of the present city of Darreh Shahr during the Sassanid period, and at the center of Mehrjan-e-Ghazq furnace was part of the western part or Khorbaran coast.In this study, for the first time and with respect to environmental elevation, slope, land use, and distance from roads and rivers, the settlement pattern and spatial distribution of Sassanid landscapes of Darreh Shahr are analyzed using descriptive-analytical method and field-library studies. To achieve goals such as locating ancient sites, analysis of settlement patterns and finally, investigating the impact of environmental factors on the formation process and distribution of Sassanid areas, tools such as Geographic Information System (GIS), SPSS software, statistical models such as mean of nearest neighbor, linear regression, correlation coefficient and PCA method were used. The results show that the most important factor affecting the spatial distribution of Sassanid sites in Darreh Shahr is first, the distance from rivers and then, the factors such as altitude and slope of the area. In addition, based on the average nearest neighbor model, the pattern of settlement in the Sassanid areas of this region is almost identical and clustered.

The role of Environmental Factors in the Location and Genesis of Parthian Sites in North Khorasan (Central Kopeh dagh-Aladagh Corridor)

Azita Mirzaye; Reza Mehrafarin; Seyed Rasoul Mosavi Haji

Volume 12, Issue 3 , December 2020, , Pages 327-347

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2020.255365.142550

Abstract

Geographic and environmental attributes of a given region assume a pivotal role in the formation and persistence of human settlements. Nature confers possibilities and resources on ... Read More Geographic and environmental attributes of a given region assume a pivotal role in the formation and persistence of human settlements. Nature confers possibilities and resources on human, who, as per his understanding of them, employs them in pursuit of his goals, hence the rise of human–nature interaction. The frequency of and the ways in which human settlements are established and the type of functions they serve with regard to environmental characteristics give rise to the ecology, which aims to grasp the scope of the interrelationships between humans and the environment. The present paper examines the scope of human-environment interactions in the Parthian period over the geographic extent of the central part of the Kopeh dagh-Aladagh corridor. The paper seeks to ascertain the local environment’s influence on the formation and evolution of Parthian settlements and to find out the pertinent settlement patterns in northern Khorasan. Given the environmental potentialities, what were the Parthians’ criteria for site location when establishing their settlements? How did these priorities affect the distribution of sites and their settlement pattern in the study area? The present paper represents a multifaceted research drawing upon archaeological survey, ecological studies, information processing in GIS, examining the relationships between natural and cultural variables and their impact on the formation of the contemporaneous settlements, and finally archaeological analysis. The study adopts an ecological and economical approach. In this context, ecological data on the relation between soil type, geology, flora, fauna, and water table or “biosorption analysis” have been used. Processual archaeologists use ecological systems as their basic model for observing the adaptive transformations humans in response to environmental circumstances as even small environmental alterations will have the potential to affect cultural structures. The Kopeh dagh-Aladagh corridor stretches from Garmab in western North Khorasan to the Mashhad plain to the east. For the purposes of this study, the corridor is divided into the following three separate parts based on geographic features that someway affect cultural aspects: a) Western part: extending from the beginning of the village of Garmab to the border of Shirvan County (Reza Abad), this part is characterized by a mountainous terrain with narrow passes such as Badranlu; b) Central part: in this part, defined by the beginning of Shirvan County (Reza Abad) and the end of Quchan County, the plains grow wider as the mountains begin to sit back; c) Eastern part: Chenaran County and the Mashhad plain mark the extreme boundaries of this part. The focus of the present work is on the central corridor, viz. the stretch delineated by the counties of Shirvan, Farooj and Quchan (Figure: 1). Geographically, the study area encompasses the structural valley of Atrak-Kashafrud, an expanse that is bounded by the mountains of Kopeh Dagh/Hezar Masjed to the north and the Aladagh/Binalud mountains to the south (Figure:2). This plain geomorphological unit exhibits a fairly wide and flat landform, and is principally affected by the sedimentary process of the flowing water bodies of the Kashafrud and Atrak rivers and their tributaries. Geomorphology, it consists of three main units of plain, foothills, and mountains. Its northern and southern sectors are mountainous, its slopes are characterized by foothills, and its central part consists of plain. Indeed, the mountainous quarters comprise small, narrow intermontane plains, which fall in the plain sub-class. The regional heights follow the northwest-southeast trend dictated by the general orientation of the Kopeh dagh zone. The Atrak and Kashafrud rivers rise from the regional mountains, forming two drainage basins. The archeological survey of the concerned area recorded more than 500 archaeological mounds and sites spanning the Chalcolithic to the Islamic period. Based on a comparative analysis of the surface pottery, 20 Parthian sites are distinguishable. It is notable that due to the lack of adequate knowledge of common Parthian pottery forms in the region, due caution has been exercised in the identification of these sites. These Parthian sites are divided between 16 examples lying in the northern half of the plain on the southern slopes of Kopeh dagh/Hezar Masjed and 4 instances that occur in the southern half on the northern slopes of Aladagh. As stated, a main objective of this study is to pin down the influential factors of the region's ecology in the formation of Parthian sites and their distribution in the geographic setting of the central Kopeh dagh-Aladagh corridor. To this end, such components as geology, altitude, slope gradient and aspect, climate, water resources and soil are explored. Finally, the results of the study reveal a close and direct correlation between the site location and the environmental factors (Figures: 3-10). The central Kopeh dagh/Hezar Masjed corridor on the north and Aladagh/Binalud on the south form an upland district hemmed in by mountains. Due to its mountain geomorphology, the area is generally dominated by cold, dry climate. In mountainous regions, slopes and valleys generally offer more advantageous conditions for settlement as the altitude variable prompts reduced temperature and increased humidity. Dropped temperature in warm seasons results in lowered evaporation of water resources, making water resources more easily accessible throughout the year. The choice of appropriate altitude as an influential factor in human activities has thus led to the concentration of Parthian settlements on the slopes dominating the plain. Choosing slopes provided the local populations with access to montane pastures, but also enabled them to exploit alluvial and fertile plains. The same strategy is still operative in the region, where, save for the cities that lie in the plain, rural settlements mostly sit on the slopes overlooking the plain. The distribution of the sites in reference to the slope gradient and aspect shows that, with the exception of F 0026, the Parthian sites lie in proper points of terrain ruggedness and slope gradient spectra, and their dominant slope aspect indicates the maximum use of solar heat in this cold region, with advantageous impacts on agricultural production and pastures. Given their location on slopes, the hitherto identified Parthian sites mostly occur on the spring-fed influent streams that flow into the Atrak, with no instances recognized along the latter. In light of the results from environmental studies, the altitude, slope gradient, easy access to water resources, and fertile soil served as the foremost factors governing the distribution of Parthian sites in the region as they were directly linked with subsistence. It is notable that while our environmental studies drew on the present-day landscape, the survey of the study area produced about 500 sites dating between the Chalcolithic to the Islamic period, and presence of this huge number of sites over this protracted timespan testifies to the fact that advantageous environmental conditions did prevail in the past.

A suggestion on the location of the islamic Torshiz city based on interdisciplinary studies (GIS, Written texts and archaeological data)

Mohammad Esmaeil Esmaeili Jelodar; Reza Heydari

Volume 12, Issue 2 , September 2020, , Pages 1-21

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2020.249157.142520

Abstract

One of the most important reasons for the formation of cities is their geographic location. Sometimes these particular geographic conditions themselves cause the city to be displaced ... Read More

Investigating and Prioritizing the Centrality (political) of Qajar Period Castle Settlements in Sistan Region of Iran Using the ANP Model

Mohammad Ebrahim Zarei; SeyyedRasool MousaviHaji; Naghmeh Behboodi

Volume 11, Issue 2 , October 2019, , Pages 133-152

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2019.73111

Abstract

Investigating and prioritizing the centrality (political) of the Qajar fortified settlements areas in Sistan region of Iran requires studying effective environmental factors (natural ... Read More

Analysis of the Role of Environmental Factors in the Spatial Distribution of the Neolithic and Chalcolithic Sites of Ardal County, Chaharmahal VA Bakhtiari Province

Mohsen Bahraminia; Alireza Khosrowzadeh; Mohamad Esmaeil Esmaeili Jelodar

Volume 5, Issue 2 , March 2014, , Pages 21-37

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2014.50390

Abstract

Western parts of the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiyari Province (Ardal County) due to containing high mountains, deep valleys and small intermountain plains as well as the placement in the ... Read More

The Impact of Drainage Systems in the Selection of Site locations Case Study: Meymon Abad Sites

Mehran i Magsoud; Seyyed Mohammad Zaman Zadeh; Hassan Fazeli Nashli; Rouhollah Yousefi Zoshk; Samira Chazghe; Hojat Ollah Ahmadpour

Volume 5, Issue 2 , March 2014, , Pages 145-161

https://doi.org/10.22059/jarcs.2014.50403

Abstract

Water resources throughout human history have always been an important factor in attracting human settlement. The main purpose of this paper was to investigate what is the role of Shadchay ... Read More

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Keywords = GIS

The Analysis of Settlement Patterns of Iron Age in Piranshahr Plain Relying on Geographic Information System (GIS)

Abstract

Studying the Effect of Natural Factors on Spatial Distribution of Sassanid Sites of Darreh Shahr City

Abstract

The role of Environmental Factors in the Location and Genesis of Parthian Sites in North Khorasan (Central Kopeh dagh-Aladagh Corridor)

Abstract

A suggestion on the location of the islamic Torshiz city based on interdisciplinary studies (GIS, Written texts and archaeological data)

Abstract

Investigating and Prioritizing the Centrality (political) of Qajar Period Castle Settlements in Sistan Region of Iran Using the ANP Model

Abstract

Analysis of the Role of Environmental Factors in the Spatial Distribution of the Neolithic and Chalcolithic Sites of Ardal County, Chaharmahal VA Bakhtiari Province

Abstract

The Impact of Drainage Systems in the Selection of Site locations Case Study: Meymon Abad Sites

Abstract