Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Ph.D. in Archaeology, Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran (Corresponding Author)
2 Senior Archaeology Officer, General Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts of Ardabil Province, Ardabil, Iran Iran.
Abstract
Abstract
In the field of prehistoric archaeology studies in Iran, East Azerbaijan is considered one of the unknown, obscure, and neglected regions. Despite the high environmental potential and capabilities of this area, unfortunately, the few studies conducted have not yet been able to accurately define the prehistoric cultural frameworks of this region. The accidental discovery of a Neolithic pottery vessel from Qosha Tepe in Parsabad paved the way for carrying out this research aimed at studying Neolithic cultures of the Mughan Steppe. Other new findings from the Neolithic era in this region, including Qosha Tepe in Mishkin and Bey Baghli in Bileh Savar, along with comparative studies of these artifacts with similar examples in the Urmia Lake basin and the Aras River valley, led to the identification of a new culture from the Late Neolithic period in East Azerbaijan. The dating of the Qara Su-Mughan pottery tradition indicates that this culture played a connecting role between the Neolithic cultures of the Urmia Lake basin and the Southern Caucasus in the sixth millennium BCE. The pottery techniques, decorations, and structure of the ceramics from the Qara Su-Mughan Neolithic culture reveal significant similarities and resemblances with the Shulaveri-Shomu culture in the Southern Caucasus and the Hajji Firuz culture in the Urmia Lake basin. This research serves as the first step in introducing and identifying the Neolithic culture of Eastern Azerbaijan, Iran, referred to as the Qara Su-Mughan culture during the New Neolithic period.
Keywords: Neolithic, Qara Su-Mughan Steppe, Parsabad, Qosha Tepe.
1. Introduction
The Qara Su-Mugan Steppe basin encompasses a vast watershed area of approximately 21,245 square kilometers, located between Ardabil and East Azerbaijan provinces. It features a climate ranging from humid and hot to very cold mountainous conditions, which has endowed it with diverse geographical landscapes. Some field studies in this area reveal artifacts from the Early Paleolithic to the Middle Paleolithic across the entire Qara Su River basin. These abundant findings, derived from just a single visit and initial surveys, indicate the region’s attractiveness for human groups from the Paleolithic era up to the beginning of the Neolithic period. Unfortunately, the lack of serious archaeological studies in this region has hindered any detailed discussion regarding its prehistoric cultural characteristics.
2. Qara Su-Mughan Steppe and Neolithic Cultures in the NW Iran
The Qara Su-Mugan cultural zone encompasses two distinct drainage basins, each with entirely different and sometimes contrasting geographical features, covering an area of approximately 21,000 square kilometers in eastern of Iranian Azerbaijan—located in northwestern Iran. These two basins range from the hot and humid plains of the Mugan steppe to the very cold and dry slopes of Mount Sabalan (Savalan in local), and are governed by a single cultural tradition that has persisted from ancient times to the present, forming a continuous cultural landscape.
The Qara Su-Mugan cultural zone encompasses two distinct drainage basins, each with entirely different and sometimes contrasting geographical features, covering an area of approximately 21,000 square kilometers in eastern of Iranian Azerbaijan—located in northwestern Iran. These two basins range from the hot and humid plains of the Mugan steppe to the very cold and dry slopes of Mount Sabalan (Savalan in local dialect) and are governed by a single cultural tradition that has persisted from ancient times to the present, forming a continuous cultural landscape.
The Qara Su River basin originates from the Baghru/Taleghan mountain ranges in the east of Ardabil Plain and the Bazqush in the west, as well as the entire northern slopes of Mount Sabalan. After traversing the plains of Ardabil, Arshagh plain, and Meshgin Shahr area, it ultimately merges with the Ahar-Chayi River, forming the Dar-e-Rood River (Yort Valley) along the northern course of the Dar-e-Rood River, and finally joins the Aras River at the western end of the Mugan Plain. Therefore, this large watershed can be divided into three parts: the Qara Su basin—including the plains of Ardabil, Arshagh, and Meshgin; the Ahar Chayi basin—including the mid-mountain plains of Varzeqan and Ahar; and finally, the Dar-e-Rood basin—including the western parts of Germi County, Ungut, and Aslanduz plain.
The Neolithic period in this region was first identified through excavations at Qosha Tepe, near the ancient site of Shaharyeri located in the Qara Su River basin between Meshgin Shahr and Ardabil. Although earlier, Charls Berney had identified two sites dating from the Neolithic to Chalcolithic period in the Meshgin Shahr area and the Ahar Chayi basin, the excavators of Qosha Tepe for the first time demonstrated the sequence of ceramic traditions from the Neolithic in this region. Although the lack of absolute dates from this site has created significant uncertainties regarding the interpretation of finds within the broader framework of the Neolithic in Iranian Azerbaijan, the discovery of these artifacts has nonetheless revealed the characteristics of the Neolithic in the eastern parts of northwestern Iran.
Bey Bagli is another Neolithic settlement in the Mugan Steppe. This small Neolithic site is located on the eastern side of the Mugan Plain, where the Ghamish Chayi (Barzand Chayi) River joins the Bulgar Chayi. This site is situated on the Ghamish Chayi terrace top of a little hill. The ceramic assemblage from this site mainly includes light to dark brown pottery. Red sherds, which sometimes appear brick-red due to high firing temperatures, can also be found among the pottery. Buff wares are rare. Most of the sherds have a soft fabric, while some small vessels exhibit a fine fabric. All pottery vessels have a paste containing organic temper, Chaff-Faced ware is frequently observed. Various techniques were used in decorating the Bey Bagli pottery. Based on color, construction, and surface treatment, the pottery from the Bey Bagli site can be divided into five main categories: 1) Red-slip, polished ware with a red slip 2) Red-colored ware 3) Buff sherds with incised decorations 4) Buff to light brown jars with additive and carved decorations 5) Plum colored vessels.
One of the issues regarding the Neolithic period in northwest Iran is Transitional from the late Neolithic to the Chalcolithic period. Recent studies place the traditions of the Hajji Firuz culture and Tepe Ahranjan within the late Neolithic period, dating between 6000-5400 BCE. The final cultural phases of the late Neolithic in the southern basin of Lake Urmia, Hajji Firuz, and in the northern regions are represented by Ahranjan (5900-5400 BCE). Although Mellaart and some researchers have emphasized the expansion of the Hajji Firuz culture into the Aras Valley based on limited surface findings in the Qara Dagh area, the results of excavations at Ahranjan in the Salmas Plain, Dava Goz in Khoy, Kultepe Gargar in Jalfa, and extensive investigations by the German team have not reported any evidence of Hajji Firuz ceramic traditions beyond the southern plains of Lake Urmia.
3. Conclusion
In the eastern regions of Azerbaijan, the latest cultural phases of the Neolithic can be identified along the shores of the Qara Su River and in the Mugan Plain. Excavations at Qosha Tepe along the Qara Su River have revealed a late Neolithic ceramic tradition dating to the mid-sixth millennium BCE. If we accept the absolute dating of the Hajji Firuz culture between 6000 and 5400 BCE, then the Neolithic settlement at Qosha Tepe, or at least its lowest stratigraphic layers, must have been established in the mid-6th millennium BCE. Recent Neolithic findings from Bey Bagli Bilesavar and Qosha Tepe Parsabad indicate a dominant and similar cultural package across Neolithic settlements in the Qara Su basin and the Mugan Plain. The presence of similar pottery types and decorative techniques among these settlements suggests a coherence in ceramic traditions, which can be referred to as a new Neolithic culture.
In the northern Aras River basin and the southern Caucasus, the Neolithic process appears later compared to the Fertile Crescent and the Lake Urmia basin. Based on this, it can be concluded that Neolithic cultures in northwest Iran originated from the Lilan Plain and developed in the Lake Urmia basin, then experienced growth and flourishing in the Qara Su-Mugan Steppe area. This region can be considered a linking zone between the Neolithic cultures of the Lake Urmia basin and the southern Caucasus.
Keywords
Main Subjects
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