Journal of Archaeological Studies

Abstract Archaeological excavations in the Little Zab river in the areas of GirdiAshoan, Barveh, Bardeh Zard and Akhoran, in order to identify the cultural sequence of Zab, were carried out over four Seasons, which led to the identification of the Chalcolithic and Bronze Age. The Zab area is one of the areas where Archeological research has been conducted infrequently, so there is no information about its cultural sequence. In the studies of the Northwestern Iran, new excavations in the Zab basin have completed the knowledge and Chronology of the region.Hasanlu VII, is of great importance in this region, but the period has been given relatively little attention. Results of Archaeological excavations show that the site is possibly the most important Early Bronze Age settlement in the region and the duration of occupation, as evidenced by a depth of deposit of 8 meters. The settlement manifests strong parallels with
other parts of northwest Iran, especially Hasanlu VIIA and GirdiHasan Ali. In Hasanlu VI ,The painted ware or the Urmia type pottery became widespread in the Middle Bronze Age areas of North Western. This tepe is one of various settlements formed there in different prehistoric periods.The excavations of this tepe led to the identification of the Middle Bronze Age settlement and a burial ground. Also, the exploration of the site made visible its cultural attachment with the Urmia Lake Basin and influences from the Khabur culture of Mesopotamia. Generally The results obtained indicate Hasanlu VIII,VII ,VI in zab basin.

Abstract  
The Late Bronze Age and Iron Age I represent significant alterations in material and non-material culture of people living in the Iranian plateau. The knowledge and taking advantage of iron were as a tremendous discovery in this period that has overshadowed all aspects of human life those days. The societies, by passing the Iron Age and having potential for globalization, have paved the way for establishing the vast empires. Therefore, this period can be called the period of the protohistory of Iran.
One of the most significant and important sites indicating these developments in northwestern Iran is the Shaharyeri archeological site in Meshkinshahr, Ardabil province. This site was discovered following surveys of Charles Burney in 1978 in northwestern Iran, and studied under the supervision of Alireza Hejbari Nobari during 2003-2005 with the aim of identifying the Iron Age cultures of northwestern Iran. We can study the Iron Age cultural indices of the east part of northwest Iran in a continuous cultural context. The most important architectural remain, from the formation period, is an early temple that included slab stones, mortar and mud brick, and monoliths that laid to the structure. Semi pastoralist societies populated the site since Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age following constructing a basic temple, whereas developed during Middle Iron Age by construction of citadel and a vast cemetery with up to 500 anthropomorphic monoliths next to a temple. Concluding remarks shows that formation of settlement at Middle and Late Bronze ages and archaeological marker of mentioned period is early temples and development of nomadic culture

Abstract Early Bronze Age (EBA) in the Middle East is considered to be the dawn of civilization, spread of writing, and proto-urbanism; and Mesopotamia was the center of these historical events.
Cultural material remains at the beginning of this period in this vast area – including Western Iran, Caucasus (also beyond), Anatolia, Levant and Northern Mesopotamia – have wonderful similarities in spite of different names (EBA, Trans-Caucasian, Yanig culture, Kura-Arax culture).
Unluckily, for many reasons Archaeological researches focused on this vast area like Caucasus separately. For recent three decades there have been numerous surveys and excavations and multi-disciplined studies in western Iran. It seems EBA culture spreads out to Central Plateau of Iran so that the core of this culture could be Arax-Urmia-Kura basin.
Presented here are the results of an archaeological analysis on Early Bronze Age from Northwest of Iran, Central Zagros, Central Plateau of Iran and borderlands using some scientific information and data such as GIS and obsidian provenance studies.