Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 PhD Candidate, Department of Archaeology, University of Sistan and Baluchestan
2 Department of Archaeology &; Archaeological Sciences Research Center, University of Sistan and Baluchestan
3 Department of Archaeology & Archaeological Sciences Research Center, University of Sistan and Baluchestan
Abstract
The Orzuiyeh Plain, situated in southwestern Kerman province, Iran, stands as a prominent geographical site for prehistoric settlements in southeastern Iran. Limited archaeological excavations have been conducted in areas such as Gaz Tavileh, Morad Abad XII, and Vakil Abad. Stratigraphic investigations at Tepe Morad Abad VIII, one of the highest Chalcolithic mounds in the region, were deemed necessary to establish a relative chronology and complete information regarding Chalcolithic settlements and pottery culture continuity in the Orzuiyeh Plain. This research aimed to address specific questions:
• Based on the deposit height, how many Yahya cultural periods does Tepe Morad Abad VIII encompass and which specific Yahya culture periods are represented?
• In the case of multiple-period deposits, did changes in pottery tradition align with those of the Yahya pottery culture?
• Does the stratigraphic record indicate temporal gaps between cultural deposits or were they formed sequentially?
Employing a descriptive-analytical approach through field and library studies, this research revealed the sequence of Chalcolithic pottery culture in a long-term settlement. We identified 60 cultural layers and recovered 2413 pottery sherds, with 918 classifiable and analyzed. The results suggest that Tepe Morad Abad VIII was inhabited during the VI, VC, VB, and VA periods of the Yahya culture (early to end of the Middle Chalcolithic), corresponding to a relative date of approximately 6000 to 4000 BC.
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