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Anani B, Gholinezhad M. (2024). New Findings from GKC (BMAC) in South of Khorasan Based on Evidence of Sartakhteh Baraz Site of Qaen. Parseh J. Archaeol. Stud.. 8(28), 95-114. doi:10.22034/PJAS.8.28.95
URL: http://journal.richt.ir/mbp/article-1-695-en.html

Abstract
In recent years Archaeologist have taken a special attention at south of Khorasan, especially the Qaen region. Recent archaeological surveys have provided valuable findings for researchers. Specific geographical location and the connection as a natural corridor among central Asia, North of Khorasan, southeast of Iran, and central plateau of Iran, which was made by central desert, can be a great cause in different periods, especially in the early second millennium B.C. The expansion of “GKC” (BMAC) in the Eastern half of Iran is one of the most important developments of the second millennium B.C. New findings show that this culture has spread to parts of South of Khorasan, for example, findings of the Razeh, Gavand and Bekanda previously studied. Sartakhteh Baraz site in Qaen is one of the significant sites in Southern Khorasan in which many evidences of the BMAC have been observed, which is less studied and, in this research, we attempt to introduce this site and identify the expansion of GKC. This site located in a mountainous region in Qaen area in North of Southern Khorasan. This site is much destroyed because it is located near a rural area. The main sources of this research have been chosen from the library sources and survey of Sartakhteh Baraz of Qaen area in 2016. The research method is descriptive-analytical. Then these findings were analyzed and interpreted in theoretical studies. This paper intends to introduce and describing BMAC at the South of Khorasan of Iran Based on evidence of Sartakhteh Baraz site of Qaen; furthermore, its results can demonstrate different aspects of this culture. It seems this culture has expanded in South of Khorasan in the first half of the second millennium B.C. 
Keywords: South of Khorasan, Qaen, GKC (BMAC), Sartakhteh Baraz Site.

Introduction
South Khorasan is located in the east of Iran from a geographical point of view. This region has received less attention in terms of archaeological studies than other regions of the Iranian Plateau. Although these studies have greatly increased in the last decade and have attracted some attention, they are still far from reaching favorable point. South Khorasan, or the current South Khorasan province, geologically has two deserts and mountainous parts. Qaen region, which includes more the mountainous part of the region, is considered one of the cold and rainy regions of the province, so that the average annual rainfall in the city is 180 mm. The pattern of placement of Qaen region is in the form of sometimes continuous mountain ranges in the direction of northwest to Southeast, where Baraz, shaskouh, Ahangaran and Qaen mountains are among the main mountain ranges in the region. Qaen, together with Sarayan and Ferdows covers the northern half of the province, and archaeologically, it is one of the richest areas of Southern Khorasan. Many important settlements of South Khorasan in different periods are scattered in this areas. Strategically, this region forms a link between North Khorasan and Central Asia with the central Plateau and even the southeast. This factor has made the basic and important issues of archaeology in different periods to be tied with archaeology studies in South Khorasan. The studies of BMAC culture in this area are important in the sense that specializes studies and surveys have not been done for this area, and most of the studies include surveys with the purpose of identification. The purpose of the current research is to identify and introduce new evidences is of BMAC culture and explain the spread of this culture in parts of South Khorasan. This research, by using the descriptive-analytical method as well as using field research based on the findings obtained from the archaeological surveys of the central part of Qaen city, tried to analyze and introduce the new evidences obtained from the BMAC culture in the South of Khorasan.
Research questions and Hypotheses: The most important question raised in this research is how to analyze the spread of Great Khorasan culture in South Khorasan? It seems that by identifying new evidences in South Khorasan region, it is possible to discuss this culture more precisely in this region in such a way that it is very likely that the Great Khorasan culture spread in this region in its final stages.

Discussion
The Great Khorasan culture refers to a collection of settlement sites of the late Bronze Age (simultaneous with the V and VI Bronze age) that was formed in a cultured range beyond political borders. This area includes parts of Southern Turkmenistan, Northern Afghanistan, Northeastern Iran, southwestern Tajikistan and Southern Uzbekistan. Among the prominent features of this culture are the presence of distinctive types of pottery, the abundant use of bronze metal and precious metals such as gold and silver, the presence of a variety of prestigious and everyday goods that are made of imported and local stones, including: turquoise, agate, chlorite and marble. In addition to that, collections of unique and possibly ritual objects such as scepters of power, miniature columns, stone weights, mixed stone figurines of seated women in woolen clothes, marble vessels and collections of silver and gold vessels with special reliefs, all it shows specialized industry and exchange economy in this culture (Vahdati, 2015:42-43). 
  In general, the beginning of archaeological activities in the area of GKC (BMAC) in the central east of Iran in recent years, has led to the identification of new settlements and cemeteries of this culture. The new archaeological data and documents obtained from the settlements in the northeast and east of Iran (Khorasan) show the new areas of expansion and influence of GKC. The site of Sartakhteh Baraz of Qaen is one of the most important sites in South Khorasan, where the evidences of GKC has been observed. Sartakhteh Baraz site was first identified during archaeological investigation by Gholinezhad (Gholinezhad, 2016). This area includes large mound with an area of approximately 120×300 meters, which, due to agricultural activities, cultural data are removed from the original context and placed on the slopes and lands prepared for agriculture (fig 2). Therefore, the distribution of cultural materials can be seen on a large scale. The surveys conducted show that the data and evidence obtained include pottery (fig 4), dagger (fig 5), and a wand head (fig 6) vessel of kohl with a rod (fig 7). The pottery data in the area includes samples that belong to the third to second millennium BC according to the forms and types of pottery (Anani 1400: 113). Among these, there are 6 pieces related to the BMAC culture except for the two pieces that have pea paste and cover, the other pieces have orange paste and cover (Table 1). Some of these pottery are very similar to examples of the final stages of the BMAC culture such as Bustan and Molali in the first half of the second millennium BC (Ionesov, 2002). Based on this, it can be concluded that the layers of the BMAC culture in this area belong to the final stage of this culture. In addition to these, bronze tools and artifacts have been found in abundance in the graves related to the BMAC culture with we witness in the prominent sites of this culture such as Gonur Depe (Sarianidi, 2007:90-93).

Conclusion
In recent years the expansion of archaeological activities and surveys in South Khorasan has increased the identification of settlements and sites of different periods. However we are still far from the desired point and it is necessary that many areas of South Khorasan be investigated systematically and of course specialized. During the surveys, 4 sites belonging to the Great Khorasan culture have been identified in the South of Khorasan. However, if we consider Gonabad as part of this region regardless of the current political boundaries, the number of sites will increase. The new findings obtained from the Sartakhteh Baraz site in the Qaen region show the importance of this region in the late Bronze Age. As mentioned in this research, these findings belong to a new culture that appears in this region. The Great Khorasan culture has spread over a wide area from Central Asia to the Iranian plateau. In the meantime, South Khorasan has acted as a communication route and passage. In such a way that it connects the north-east and south of Turkmenistan to the south-east and the center of the Iranian plateau. Accordingly, it is obvious that we are facing the remains of this culture in this region. But the important question raised here is why most of the areas obtained in this region are cemeteries? Although the answer to this question is not the goal of the present study, before answering this question, it should be noted that all these sites have been archaeologically investigated and none of them have been stratified. The sites that have been explored have only been speculated and demarcated. However during these speculations, it has been almost determined that some of these areas are cemeteries. In the meantime, considering the difference that Sartakhte Baraz site has with other contemporaneous sites and has evidence from earlier periods, it creates the possibility that we may be facing a settlement here. Accordingly, in order to reach a reasonable answer, it is necessary to carry out a stratigraphy excavation in this area in order to be able to answer this question and of course many questions related to this culture in South Khorasan. Another important point that was mentioned and raised as a hypothesis is that the settlements in South Khorasan probably belong to the final stages (first half of the second millennium BC) of the GKC. of course, this assumption also needs more studies in the entire eastern region of Iran. It is hoped that more ambiguities can be answered in the future.