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Nazari Arshad R, Beik Mohammadi K, Beik Mohammadi N. (2019). An Overview on the Archaeology Aspect and Cultural Developments of the Islamic Settlements of Tuyserkan Plain (Beginning of Islam to The End of the Qajar Period). Parseh J. Archaeol. Stud.. 3(8), 89-108. doi:10.30699/PJAS.3.8.89
URL: http://journal.richt.ir/mbp/article-1-223-en.html

Abstract
Tuyserkan plain is one of the middy mountain and highland plains in Alvand Range, strategically one of the most important connector plains of western Iran and throughout history, especially the Islamic period, the path of the great Khorasan has been of considerable importance. This plain has been studied and identified during the winter of 2012. This study has been studied at random by collecting cultural material from the area of the site in order to identify and record ancient sites and monuments. The results of the study include 44 sites from the copper and stone Age to the late Islamic period, and according to the identified surface artifacts 14 of these sites have artifacts from different Islamic times, this area has shown importance in the Islamic era but so far the plain has not been explored in terms of the cultural developments of the Islamic settlements. The question now is, what are the characteristics of Islamic period in Tuyserkan plain and what is their pattern of distribution and expansion, and in what periods has it grown and expanded? The main purpose of the research is to study the archaeology of the Tuyserkan plain with the typology of cultural changes in the works and settlements of the Islamic periods and it is an appropriate pattern of distribution in the Tuyserkan plain. The research method utilizes spatial analysis and field and library, analysis of cultural works and materials collected from archaeological survey and study of Islamic settlements of Tuyserkan plain, it will be based on current theories of settlement patterns and archaeological landscape. The results show that the settlements of Islamic period of this plain are distributed in all parts of the plain, consisting of large enclosures as the main dwelling cores and small enclosures formed as small bases dependent on roads and arable land, in the Safavid period, the Tuyserkan plain also witnessed a growing number of settlements with the Carvansara and Bridge Farasfaj  being one of the most significant monuments of that period, and finally in the Zandieh and Qajar period expanding population and settlement. 
Keywords: Archaeology Study, Tuyserkan, Islamic Period, Archaeology Aspect.

Introduction
One of the most fundamental archaeological studies (archaeology surveys) to identify and deter mine the location of archaeological sites and settlement characteristics. Archaeological surveys are carried out to find out general information about settlement developments in different areas. This is a forerunner to archaeological excavation, which in fact means reconstructing and accurately identifying communities and their cultural achievements, archaeological studies are an important step in the analytical programs of the historical evolution of human societies and the selection of index sites for exploration. Based on the above, the Tuyserkan plain has been investigated and identified during the winter 2012. This study was conducted in a randomized manner by collecting cultural material from the enclosures at random to identify and record ancient sites and monuments stone age and copper period, and identified by surface artifacts, there are 14 sites from various Islamic periods that indicate the importance of this area in this period. Prior to this research, the Islamic period sites of Tuyserkan plain were not explored and it was necessary to study them. The lack of studies of Islamic settlements in the Tuysrkan plain provides the motivation for studying and comparing population- based settlements as well as their relevance to ancient habitats.

Identified Traces 
There are various definitions for the concept of landscape but all of these definitions are in common sense, and they include the structures created by humans between their own space and their natural structure. Obviously, human tissues in different societies are made in accordance with their environment. Many of today’s concepts and meanings of landscape come from the writings of German geographer otto schuler written in the early 20th century. He believes that geographical studies should be dedicated to the visible landscape. Human societies and natural geography are the two major factors that make up the Archaeological landscape structure. Since two- thirds of the world’s vegetation is made up of fields, pastures and artificial forests, one can understand the crucial role of humans in creating landscapes. Human societies are constantly changing and experiencing space throughout their lives, and the place is always confronted with the effects of human behavior. Tuserkan is a subsidiary city of Hamedan province with one area of about 1480 sq. K. M. Which covers 7.7.7. Of the area of Hamedan province. As we know in the year 21AH when the war of Nahavand occurred and led to the defeat of the Iranians against the Arabs, all areas of Hamedan including Tuserkan were captured. On the urban situation and the situation of the people in the Tuy and Serkan from the seventh to the tenth century AH there is no precise information, but since the tenth century, the rise of the Safavid dynasty, your village is known as Tuserkan while the Serkan remained with its old name.
Of course, there are no credible sources to show exactly what date Tuy name was converted to Tuserkan and the reason that the possibility of renaming this name whit the Safavid period should be known is that there are books related to this period that their authors have the reputation of Tyserkan while none of the works before the Safavid era have the reputation of Tuserkan. The few people in this place who are mentioned in some of the Safavid works are known as Tuyi and this shows that at first this village was famous under the same name as Tuyi.

Conclusion
 By studying Tuyserkan plain, 14 sites have been identified from different periods of the early Islamic to the later ages. Environmental factors have played an important role in the process of formation and expansion of these sites, factors such as height, suitable soil, access to communication, access to water resources and access to range lands. Most of this sites in this period were formed in lowland and mid- mountain and fertile lands in susceptible grassland areas. The impact of cultural and human factors on the pattern of settlement in Tuyserkan plain has not been affected. The peak of the flourishing and growing of settlements dates back to the early and middle centuries of Islam and its decline in later Islamic times. In recent centuries the number of sites has diminished and never reaches the boom of the early and middle ages. The reason for this was the growth of population in the main sites and surrounding areas, which have become large cities and villages today, and their lives continue. The results show that the settlements of the Islamic period of Tuyserkan plain are distributed in all parts of plain, consisting of large sites as the main center of settlement and small sites as bases of roads and arable land.