Parseh Journal of Archaeological Studies

Geoarchaeological Investigations in Southwestern Iran; A Case-study for the Human-Environment Interaction in the Riverine Landscape of Greater Susiana During the Fifth to Second Millennium BCE

Elnaz Rashidian

Abstract
This paper presents a summary of a recently conducted geoarchaeological survey in the Susiana plains in southwest Iran. Here, the question of subsequent interaction of human settlements and their riverine landscape of the Greater Susiana region (roughly equivalent to modern Khuzestan) in the Later Village and the Early-historical periods (~ fifth to second millennium BCE) has been chosen as a case study. This study challenges the idea of the cultural expansion from South-Mesopotamia and its direct socio-political involvement in the spatial evolution patterns in Susiana in this timespan. It also offers an alternative interpretation: the riverine landscape and its spatial interaction with the settlement system. It has been suggested that the Later village settlements of Susiana were greatly influenced by the physical changes of the riverine landscape in their spatial development. This paper examines this hypothesis via geoarchaeological methods from the macro-level such as remote sensing to micro-level such as laboratory analysis of sediment logs to address this issue. The results of this study confirm three main points: (i) the westward migration of active watercourses in the mentioned time span; (ii) the direct correlation of this event with the spatial evolution of the studied settlements; and (iii) the overall differences between the neighboring plains of Susiana and south Mesopotamia in their geomorphological response to their fluvial evolution.
Keywords: Geoarchaeology, Greater Susiana, Riverine Landscape, Later Village Period, Early History, Settlement Patterns.

Introduction
Geoarchaeology has established itself as a decisive means to study the human-environment-interaction in recent years. The use of geo-sciences in archaeology has revived the archaeological discourse regarding entanglement and niche construction theory, especially in the Near Eastern Archaeology. Yet, the Iranian archaeology lags behind in this matter. This paper contributes to this issue and aims to demonstrate the huge potential of geoarchaeological investigations in the Iranian archaeology.
The Susiana plains are an archaeologically rich region and suitable to examine the human-environment interaction in pre- and early history. The author has carried out a geoarchaeological survey in 2014 in this region to address this issue. The analyzed results have been published in detail (Rashidian 2020) and are briefly presented here.
Archaeological evidence of this region indicates a spatial change in the settlement patterns in the mentioned periods, including the abandonment of central settlements in the eastern plains and foundation of new settlements in the western plains (Adams 1962; Johnson 1973; Moghaddam 2012a). The common interpretation of this phenomenon related this spatial change to a socio-cultural or even political force from the South-Mesopotamian center, especially during the end of Ubaid and the beginning of the Uruk periods (Algaze 2005; 2008). This hypothesis has been discussed within the framework of the world-systems and criticized for decades, especially due to recent archaeological projects from modern Syria and neighboring regions. By integrating geoarchaeological investigations, these studies have shown that the spatial evolution of the settlements in the so-called periphery regions has been endogenic and not imported from Mesopotamia (McMahon & Crawford 2010; Ur et al. 2007). They have also offered alternative hypotheses for this phenomenon. Yet, for the Susiana region, this has remained the common hypothesis, despite occasional critic and speculation (Alizadeh et al. 2004; Moghaddam 2012a).
This has been the main focus of the present study, which examines two aspects: (i) There are strong indications of a westwards-migration of palaeo-rivers in the Mid-Holocene period, as mentioned by others (Kouchoukos 1999; Lees & Falcon 1952). (ii) In addition to a shift in watercourses and riverbed, such a fluvial change would affect the entire landscape immensely, for example, by changes in the surface slope, sediment freight, and soil characteristics. This probable landscape shift shall be comprehended in focusing on ten archaeologically known settlements (Abu Fanduweh, Abu Chizan, Band-e Qir, Chogha Mish, Dar Khazineh, Dehno, Haft Tappeh, Samirat, Sanjar, Sharafabad) in respect to the watercourses Dez, Karkheh, Karun, and their tributaries. During the here presented geoarchaeological survey, hundreds of soil profiles, as well as fifty-one subsurface cores, have been documented in the environ of these settlements in the riverine landscape.

Discussion
The sedimentological laboratory analysis of the documented horizons (surface and sub-surface) confirmed the large-scale migration of the rivers towards the west of the plain, which correlates with the spatial shift in the studied settlements, both in macro- and micro-level (in the region and within the settlements themselves).
Furthermore, it was shown that not the large rivers, but the smaller rivulets had been the source of water for these settlements, despite prior speculation. Following the westwards fluvial migration, these rivulets have been cut off the hydrologic regime of the region and largely covered by recent sediments in the third and second millennium BCE. A number of them have been revived and integrated into the new canal network in the Early historical and Late Antiquity. Relative and absolute dating, based on material culture in situ and optically stimulated luminescence of sand in bulk samples respectively, have provided a dating framework for the presented geodata.
In general terms, focusing on geomorphological elements of the landscape such as slope, soil characteristics, and sedimentary regime has proved beneficial to examine the spatial evolution of prehistoric settlements. Susiana as a dynamic landscape has changed considerably in response to the fluvial regime change and extensive human impact. This has been attested in the presented geodata in this period. An intensification of the mentioned event is also confirmed for the later period, where the human impact has largely escalated due to centralized and planned developments of well established political entities From the Neo-Elamite to the Sasanian period.

Conclusion
This study provided a range of results concerning the hypothesis and the relevant settlements. Three main points are summarized here:
(i) The westward migration of Susiana’s active watercourses during the fifth to second millennium BCE has been confirmed using a combination of remote sensing, sedimentary analysis of cores, laboratory analysis of sediment horizons, and methods of indirect and absolute dating.
(ii) A correlation in spatial evolution of settlement patterns with this fluvial development has been confirmed, based on available archaeological record of the ten mentioned settlements. This spatial correlation is attested both in macro- and micro-level. In this regard, a general tendency of settlements towards the western parts of the plain can be confirmed for this timespan. Furthermore, this has been attested in the spatial evolution within the settlements and it seems that some were following their migrating watercourses, and others have been abandoned entirely.
(iii) The results of this analysis also show the stark difference between the flat landscape of South-Mesopotamia with its large riverbeds as primary geo-elements in the west, and the softly sloped landscape of Susiana with its numerous rivulets and narrow floodplains surrounded by ridges and anticlines in the east. It is safe to assume that these starkly different landscapes have brought about equally different settlement patterns. Therefore, the settlement evolution of Susiana must be considered endogenic and studied in the framework of its landscape.
A detailed account of the presented study has been recently published (Rashidian 2020). A few case studies are also subject of English papers (Rashidian 2017; 2018; in press). The author hopes that this summary in Persian can contribute to the present discourse and encourage active members of the Iranian Archaeology to integrate geoarchaeological investigations into their projects. This is the only way towards further establishing an internationally acclaimed place for the Iranian archaeology.

Lapui-Period Settlements on the Persepolis Plain: Jalyan

Alireza Sardari-Zarchi

Abstract
The Kur river basin located on the center of Fars province is one of the main regions in Iran for the formation and development of prehistoric settlements. The Persepolis plain on the marginal areas of southeastern the basin has been a strategic and cross-cultural place for socio-economic exchanges from prehistoric times. The area during Chalcolithic period including Bakun and Lapui phases in 5th and 4th millennium B.C. has been settled by small villages such as Tal-e Bakun and Jalyan Archaeological sites. Jaylan is a complex site constituted of three parts and mounds that its name was the adaption of a neighboring village (Jaylan or Galyan), is situated 3.2 northwestern of Persepolis palaces and inside of its Buffer Zone. The site is completely flat on the farming lands, which can identify just by some surface finds, especially pottery sherds. The most important landscape complication of the ancient site is the Polvar (Sivand) river close to 100 m., and flows across the plain continuing southwest join to Kur river. Archaeological soundings at Jaylan excavated on the six trenches in various sizes between 7×5 m., 3×3 m., 2×6 m., and 2×2 m. Furthermore, 10 small test trenches at a distance of 10 to 50 m. from the center of site to recognize its core area and buffer zone that these didn’t have any cultural layers. So the area of the site is restricted to 0.5 hectares. a large quantity of Lapui pottery assemblage was found in lower levels, which generally divided into two categories including common ware and fine ware form to red, orange, and slight quantity in grey and buff colors. other significant finds are human burial and foundation of a large mud-bricks wall. Archaeological excavations at Jalyan show the site related to Lapui period, was a small settlement with two occupational phases.
Keywords: Lapui, Jalyan, Kur River Basin, 4th Millennium B.C., Archaeological Excavation.

Introduction
The Kur river basin located on the center of Fars province is one of the main regions in Iran for the formation and development of prehistoric settlements. The Persepolis plain on the marginal areas of southeastern the basin has been a strategic and cross-cultural place for socio-economic exchanges from prehistoric times. The exchanges and transformations continued to the historic period with the formation of great ancient cities such as Persepolis and Istakhr during the Achaemenid and Sasanian eras.
Tal-e Bakun is one of the diagnostic prehistoric sites on the area that formed from the fifth millennium B.C. identified by painted fine buff ware, several occupational phases, architectural spaces, and administrative documents such as seals and sealing. The last cultural settlements of the Tal-e Bakun found slightly thin occupational layers of the Lapui period during the late fourth millennium B.C. with plain fine red ware. In the period, new settlements were raised on the Kur river basin usually near the strings such as Tal-e Jalyan, which are commonly small in size.
Lapui period during the first half of the fourth millennium B.C is the argumentative subject in the studies about prehistoric Fars region, providing some questions: why did abruptly change the pottery style during the transition from Bakun to Lapui period? How is the occupational nature of Lapui settlements? how sparsely small Lapui settlements transformed to the great city of Anshan (Tal-e Malyan) during the Banesh period on the late fourth millennium B.C.? and finally why Lapui period settlements of the Fars couldn’t develop akin to Susiana and Mesopotamian cities in the early of fourth Millennium B.C? how is the administration and socio-economic organization of the Lapui small settlements in the several plains of Kur river basin?

The Site of Jalyan
Given the questions, it is necessary to do systematic surveys and archaeological excavations on some sites related Lapui period. Although firstly archaeological excavations on the Jaylan in 2019 found late Islamic layers on the surface levels based on the Geomagnetic survey results and anomalies, but by continuing of some soundings to get virgin soils old occupational phases from the Lapui period uncovered about 1 to 2.5 m. in dept. that established on the virgin soils.
Jaylan is an archaeological complex site constituted of three parts and mounds that its name was the adaption of a neighboring village (Jaylan or Galyan), is situated 3.2 northwestern of Persepolis palaces and inside of its Buffer Zone. The site is completely flat on the farming lands, which can identify just by some surface finds, especially pottery sherds. The most important landscape complication of the ancient site is the Polvar (Sivand) river close to 100 m., and flows across the plain continuing southwest join to Kur river. based on delimitation soundings, the estimated core area of the site is approximately 0.5 hectares with 2 to 2.5 m. the thickness of cultural layers.
Archaeological soundings at Jaylan excavated on the six trenches in various sizes between 7×5 m., 3×3 m., 2×6 m., and 2×2 m. Furthermore, 10 small test trenches at a distance of 10 to 50 m. from the center of site to recognize its core area and buffer zone that these didn’t have any cultural layers. So the area of the site is restricted to 0.5 hectares.

Finds
Besides some Islamic Pottery sherds on the upper levels, a large quantity of Lapui pottery assemblage was found in lower levels, which generally divided into two categories including common ware and fine ware form to red, orange, and slight quantity in grey and buff colors. Lapui fine ware has a hard dense buff or red body, with frequent lime inclusions, fired to a uniform red or buff through the core. Surfaces are smooth, sometimes with a slight luster, and scraping or burnishing marks are common. Lapui common ware has a coarse black grit-tempered body. An oxidized grey core is characteristic of many sherds and breaks leave a rough crumbly edge, as compared to the sharp smooth edge of breaks in fine ware. The surface is usually slipped, roughly burnished. Forms include bell-shaped or cylindrical beakers, open bowls, and restricted hole mouth or low necked jar. Rim forms are usually smoothly rounded but some are slightly thickened or pinched. Bases are usually flat although a few disk bases and ring bases are found.
One of the significant finds on the excavation of Jalyan is a human burial found in trench 5 that form hole-shaped, constructed by chine wall surrounded it. Another burial from this period was just found at Tappeh Lapui on the Marvdasht plain, similar to Jalyan squat burial. Additionally, fauna and human bones were collected at the site with the number of 38 pieces and 384 gr. in weight. By the reason of little excavation in the Lapui deposits, there are small numbers of architectural residues. Nevertheless, the architecture show buildings constructed through mud-brick and chine walls. The foundation of a large wall was found in the Trench 4 with north-south direction, created by three rows of mud-bricks in light brown color, and 115 Cm. thickness. In parallel to other architectural samples in Lapui sites such as Tappeh Mehr Ali, Tol-e Spid, Tol-e Nurabad, Tol-e Bondo, and Tol-e Sozo, as yet hasn’t found the similar huge structure that could assume concerning to defense and monumental buildings of a complex society.
Based on old satellite imagery such as Corona photos and also new imagery of Google and Bing, two other small sites are neighboring Jalyan that called Jalyan 2 (Tale- Kharkhane Ard-e Naghsh Rostam) and Jalyan 3 (Tal-e Gavdari) at a distance of 500 and 700 m. far from the site. Both sites also belong to Lapui period. Thus, the sites display this place was a cluster of small villages adjacent to Polvar river during Lapui period that confirm its important situation. Nevertheless, we should anticipate increasing the number of Lapui settlements to more than 96 sites on the Marvdasht plain, as specified by W. Sumner in former archaeological surveys.

Conclusion
Archaeological excavations at Jalyan show the site related to Lapui period, was a small settlement with two occupational phases. Architectural remains, especially large mud-brick wall with around 1 m. thickness display a village settlement that established close to the Polvar river. however, the prehistoric village was abandoned after a short period. The site was ruined for more than five thousand years under sediments and natural deposits of Persepolis and Marvdasht plains on the Kur river basin, and at last, resettled again as a camp seasonal site by pastoral nomadic tribes during late Islamic periods. Indeed, natural sediments and also sporadically various historical ruins sometimes covered and protected a large number of prehistoric sites that it needs to revise essentially to archaeological surveys and methods.
W. Sumner`s archaeological researches on the Kur river basin that was comprehensive and updated methods during same time need to review after 50 years. Nowadays many of the identified archaeological sites are destroyed through agricultural activities and developmental projects, but on the other hand, archaeological excavations at some sites such as Jalyan reveal that numerous prehistoric sites would be unseen by Sumner and other archaeologists. As, by the discovery of the sites, we should reconsider and change former settlement pattern analysis based on the regional surveys.

Analysis of Settlement Models of the Chalcolithic Age in Silakhor Plain Using GIS Analysis

Hamid-Reza Valipor

Abstract
The Chalcolithic Age is one of the most important prehistoric periods in Iran. The transformations of this period in the Central Zagros have emerged in continuation of the Neolithic period. One of the important areas of Central Zagros, which had many settlements related to the Chalcolithic era, is Silakhor plain in the north of Lorestan. Despite the cultural richness of the Silakhor plain during the Chalcolithic Age, no purposeful study has been conducted to clarify the Chalcolithic status of this area. In this regard, in order to clarify the settlement models of the Chalcolithic era of Silakhor plain, this study is presented, which is a summary of Ahmad Parviz’s archaeological studies and purposeful studies by the researchers, In the present study, the authors have tried to find the answer to the following questions: What were the settlement models of Silakhor plain in the Chalcolithic era? How can the changes of settlement models in the old, middle and new periods of the Chalcolithic era of Silakhor plain be analyzed? It seems that several factors including water resources, altitude of Silakhor plain and state’s roads have been effective in the formation of settlements in this area during the Chalcolithic age. Studies conducted in this plain so far have shown 80 ancient sites related to the Copper Stone Age. Some of these sites involve all three periods of old, middle and new Chalcolithic era. The spatial data collected in this research have been studied by GIS science studies method and implemented in ArcGIS 10.3 software. The basis of these studies is the distance of each settlement area from the nearest river and its altitude level from Silakhor plain. These maps have been implemented in all three periods of old, middle and new Chalcolithic Age of Silakhor plain.
Keywords: Central Zagros, Silakhor Plain, Chalcolithic Age, Settlement Models, GIS.

Introduction
The Chalcolithic Age (mid-fifth millennium to late fourth millennium BC) is one of the prehistoric periods which has witnessed important transformations such as population growth, enhancement of the quality of pottery, the use of copper metal, improvements in the quality of settlement construction and so on. Some scholars consider this period to be a continuation of Neolithic transformations and some consider it as being independent of other periods. Archaeological studies conducted over the past few decades in the Central Zagros region have shown that this area has seen an increase in population during the Chalcolithic period. This increase in population is inferred from the number of archaeological sites recorded in this period compared to the previous period (Neolithic). Of course, the studies indicate that archaeological studies conducted in connection with the Chalcolithic Age of the Central Zagros, have focused mainly on the Gamasiab River Basin.
Silakhor plain has a suitable situation geographically and climatically. The flat plain and fertile soil along with sufficient water resources have caused us to see a large number of ancient sites from the Neolithic period to recent centuries. Despite the conducted studies, so far no purposeful studies have been conducted to analyze the residential and settlement situation of the Chalcolitic era of Silakhor plain. In this regard, the researchers, while exploring the studies conducted in this plain, have re-examined the ancient sites of the Chalcolithic era of this plain. Since the area of Silakhor plain is located in Boroujerd and Doroud counties and covers a large part of the north of Lorestan province, in this research, this plain is divided into two parts, north and south, the northern part of which is in Boroujerd and the southern part is in Dorud city. In order to study the situation of the settlements of Silakhor plain more accurately, its northern part in Boroujerd city has been chosen.

Findings
The chronology of the Chalcolithic age of Silakhor plain and the east of Lorestan is also influenced by the chronology of the Gamasiab river basin and the Kangavar valley. The study and identification of the archaeological and historical monuments of this area has been done recently by Ahmad Parviz in 2006 and the review of the researchers in line with this research has been done in 2016. In this study, according to Godin chronology, areas related to the chalcolithic age during three periods of old, middle and new era are studied. Sites are evaluated by the ArcGIS 10.3 software after being located on elevation maps through their Universal transverse Mercator (UTM). In this evaluation, the altitudes of the area compared to the average altitude of the northern half of Silakhor plain and also their distance to the nearest rive, are examined. In the studies performed, it has been determined that 80 sites are belonged to the Chalcolithic age of the northern half of Silakhor plain, some of which include all three periods of old, middle and new Chalcolithic era.
Of all 80 Chalcolithic Age sites in the study area, 25 sites are related to the old period. These areas are mainly distributed in the central parts and in the plains. Most sites are at altitudes between 1,500 and 1,600 meters above the sea level.
Of the 80 Chalcolithic Age sites in the study area, 31 sites are related to the Cenozoic Ages. These sites, like the old period, are mainly distributed in the central parts and in the plains. Most sites are at altitudes between 1,500 and 1,600 meters above the sea level.
Of the 80 Chalcolithic Age sites in the study area, 42 are related to the Cenozoic period. These areas, like the old and middle periods of the Chalcolithic Age, are mainly distributed in the central parts and in the plains. Most sites are at altitudes between 1500 and 1600 meters above the sea level.

Conclusion
In this study, it was found that the number of old, middle and new sites of the Chalcolithic Age in the northern half of Silakhor plain (Boroujerd) are 25, 31 and 42 , respectively. This indicates that the Copper Stone Age in this area has developed in a growing trend (in terms of the number of settlement sites). Increasing the number of settlements in this area paves the way for future transformations in the next period (Bronze Age). Therefore, the beginning of urbanization in this area has had a strong and evolving introduction to the Chalcolithic era.
On one hand, the study of maps prepared in ArcGIS software shows that the vast majority of sites in all three periods in the Chalcolithic Age are located at an altitude of 1500 to 1600 meters (average height of Silakhor plain is 1500 to 1600 meters) and in the area of Silakhor plain. On the other hand, the analysis of the distribution map of the Chalcolithic sites of this area shows that the settlements of this period have been formed depended on the water resources (rivers).

Study of the Early and Middle Bronze Ages Pottery Making in Kelardasht Through Petrography

Parasto Masjedi-Khak

Abstract
Due to the long lasting durability of pottery, they remain unchanged and plays an important role in archaeological researches. Aside of its difference usage in archaeological research such as dating, artistic and subsistent and communications and exchanges among people of different regions, is used in technology level. Archaeological site of Tape Kelar Hill, situated near Hasankif city, in Kelardasht, is one of the most important prehistoric sites in southern coast of Caspian Sea, which includes cultural materials from the Late Chalcolithic from the fourth millennium B.C. to the Islamic era. The significance of this site has become twofold considering the previous views issued about prehistoric cultures in western Mazandaran and Gilan provinces. The Early Bronze Age potteries of this site are of Kura-Araxes. These are the most important finds of this site. The main research question of this article pertains to the structure of the pottery in this area in two periods and aims to see whether or not the initiation of Kura-Araxes pottery has resulted from external factors and there is difference between Early and Middle Bronze Ages? In this study, 15 pieces of pottery from Early and Middle Bronze ages were studied via petrography method in order to compare in terms of composition and mineral tissues. Research has shown that the pottery of this site, in spite of experiencing some changes in the tissues, is local production. Therefore, it is rebutted to claim that the pottery of this culture is simulated by indigenous potters.
Keywords: Kura-Araxes, Middle Bronze Ages,Tape Kelar, Petrography.

Introduction
Petrographic study of Kura-Araxes pottery, despite its prevalence outside of Iran, has not received much attention from Iranian archaeologists. The first petrographic study of Kura-Araxes pottery in Iran was also conducted by Western archaeologists. The study of Kura-Araxes pottery in areas far from emergence region of this culture in Iran requires data from sites that had a stratigraphic-chronology continuity that was not available until the excavation of Tapeh Kelar.
In terms of the location of the sites studied by the petrographic method prior to the present study, two general classifications can be proposed: first, the sites that were within the geographical area of the origin of the Kura-Araxes culture, and second, the area- Those who are far away and outside the region of origin and only in the second stage of the development of the Kura-Araxes culture reached this culture.
This classification can be useful in analyzing the existence of trans-regional connections with the Caucasus or northwestern Iran, along with comparing the minerals of Tapeh Kelar pottery with the petrology of Kelardasht region. In this research, the authors have studied Kura-Araxes pottery obtained from the excavations of Tapeh Kelar site based on petrographic method.
This research is based on two questions. The first question of this research is that according to the minerals in Kura-Araxes and Middle Bronze Age pottery, what are the similarities or differences between them? And the second question includes the question that based on the petrographic study of the pottery samples of Tapeh Kelar, which of the ideas on how to spread the Kura-Araxes culture can be considered more logical for the emergence of this culture in the site? Based on visual evidence and cultural materials that show major changes in the transition from the Late Chalcolithic period to the Early Bronze Age, it can be expected that major changes have occurred in the field of process of pottery making and heating.

Discussion
In this study, 15 sample of potsherds obtained from excavations at Tapeh Kelar were selected. Samples were selected from Early Bronze Age (Kura-Araxes) and Middle Bronze Age contexts. Of these, 10 samples belonged to the Early Bronze Age and 5 samples belonged to the Middle Bronze.
10 samples of the Early Bronze Age were selected for the study. Samples can be divided into two main categories based on texture: samples with porphyry (coarse-grained) texture and samples with silty (fine-grained) texture. 9 samples have porphyry and coarse-grained texture and only sample number 4 has silty texture. 5 samples of pottery belong to the Middle Bronze Age. The samples have a dark background and a dark color.
Two types of silty tissue (samples 2, 4 and 5) and porphyry can be seen in the samples. Minerals detected in the samples are: quartz (clear and cloudy), plagioclase, amphibole and pyroxene, iron oxide, mica, Intrusive and extrusive volcanic rocks, silt and shale, chalcedony, agate and nepheline.
In the studied samples, some minerals are interesting. Nephline is rare in Iran. In Iran, due to the scarcity of alumina and other items that required nepheline, this mineral was importef from other countries due to its scarcity. Since the 1960s, several sources of nepheline have been reported in the northwest, such as Kalibar, Razgah, Bozqush, and Azarshahr.
Two other regions, namely the north of Shahroud and the central Alborz region, also have this mineral. In the north and northeast of Shahroud city in the Sultan Meidan area, the presence of nepheline mineral has been reported. However, due to the fact that the spread of Kura-Araxes culture was not to Shahroud city, the existence of Shahroud nepheline mineral has no role in the subject of this article. The third region, which is the central Alborz, is important in two ways: first, this mineral has been reported in it, and second, the Taph Kelar site is also located in the same region. As mentioned, in the geological map of Marzanabad sheet, the existence of nepheline mineral is mentioned.

Conclusion
The results of this study, as well as studies conducted elsewhere; show that each region has a regional diversity that itself indicates the local production of Kura-Araxes pottery. If that Kura-Araxes pottery was produced in one or more workshops in the motherland of the culture and then shipped to other areas, these potteries should not be so different and heterogeneous.
Nevertheless, two points should be considered: First, the studied site (Tapeh Kelar) may not be the oldest Kura-Araxes site in Alborz. In addition, ripple in the stream theory must be considered. The time difference between the region of origin of culture and distant regions has lasted for more than two hundred years.
In this theory, the spread of Kura-Araxes culture has been gradual and in several waves and stages, so it is possible that this expansion, even if it is due to migration from the Caucasus, is different from the Caucasus region in terms of mineralogical structure. This study shows that long-distance and direct exchange in the spread of Kura-Araxes culture to the Kelardasht area is not approved.
For better results, it is necessary to obtain more information, especially in archaeological site that transition from the Late Chalcolithic period to the early Bronze Age is uninterrupted, and also genetic studies on human remains of such sites to genetic changes in the inhabitants of the areas in the transition from the Late Chalcolithic Period to the Early Bronze Age Evaluated.

Evidence of Late Bronze age in Zab Basin, Based on Archaeological Excavation of Akhoran

Mahnaz Sharifi

Abstract
The Zab River basin contains the cities of Piranshahr and Sardasht in West Azerbaijan and parts of the city of Baneh in Kurdistan. The Zab River rises from the Northwest highlands of Piranshahr and after joining many branches passes through the highlands of Alan in Iran and enters Iraq. The extension of this basin is a relatively vertical strip along the Iran-Iraq border and the Little Zab River. Its orientation is Northwest to southeast and from west to east. The Zab Basin is located in an area with a cold and temperate mountainous climate, a Mediterranean rainfall regime, with average annual temperatures between 11.7°C and 13. 3°C and, 700 ml annual rainfall (Hojabri et al 95). This article tries to answer the question of how the cultural relations between this point and other areas of the presence of the late bronze culture have been established by studying the cultural materials belonging to the late bronze cultural tradition in Akhoran tepe. Also, what was the chronology of the stables? The results of archaeological excavations led to the identification of a late Bronze Age camp. The study of Akhoran cultural materials also indicates the presence of a late bronze pottery tradition. Studies and relative chronology of pottery showed that most of the cultural interactions and influences were with Hasanlu regions and outside the borders of Iran with Anatolia and Iraqi Kurdistan. The present study is based on archaeological excavations and then library studies and with a descriptive-analytical approach tries to introduce new pottery of the late Bronze Age.
Keywords: Northwest of Iran, Late Bronze Age, Zab Basin, Akhoran Tepe, Archaeological Excavation, East of Anatoli.

Introduction
The Bronze Age is considered to be the beginning of major social changes in the early third millennium BC. The Hasanlu VI period or the Middle Bronze Age covers from 2100 to 1700 BC (Danti 2013:332 .Table 17.1). During this period, multi-colored and painted wares were commonly used in large parts of Azerbaijan (Dyson 1969). Hasanlu VI ceramic designs were in crossed, checkered, and triangle forms (Dyson 1965). The simple painted pottery, which is the characteristic of the Middle of the 2nd millennium BC, is the same as synchronously identified dishes of Khabur from Northern Mesopotamia and South West Turkey (Dyson 1969: 43-44). Our information on late bronze age in northwest Iran is quite limited. Hasanlu V, is of great importance in this region, but the period has been given relatively little attention. We therefore selected Akhoran Tepe for excavation with the goal of closing this chronological gap in our understanding of Iranian prehistory.
As a local center, the Zab basin generally witnessed the alternation of contacts and conflicts, as is evidenced by the varying patterns in the distribution of recorded sites. Unlike what is characteristic of Mesopotamia and southern Iran in the fourth millennium BC, it has not yet produced any traces of extended settlements and social complexities.
Previous studies have illustrated that northwest Iran maintained contacts with regions south of Caucasia and the valleys hemmed in by the Aras and Kura rivers to the north, the Central Zagros to the south, and eastern Anatolia and north Mesopotamia to the west via mountain passes.
Recent archaeological data from the adjacent neighboring regions has corroborated this observation. Therefore, serious investigation in the region has the potential to shed light on broad cultural interactions and evolutions in the middle and northern Middle East.
The data from Akhoran is thus of considerable importance in this respect, and can improve our understanding of regional and inter-regional interactions. A foremost purpose of this paper is to look into the ties and connections between Akhoran and northwest Iran as a whole, and to explore intra- and inter-regional interactions.
One of our fundamental problems in North West Iran was the lack of excavations, with little information about the Archaeology of the region. The current paper focuses on Akhoran Tepe since we have had a little knowledge about the late Bronze Age in the Little Zab River.

Archaeological Background
North West Iran has a particular Archeological importance since it accumulates different prehistoric periods. The area is also important from the point of view of Archeological literature since it is at a crossroad facilitating the passing of nations and trading. With regard to the history, the basin is among those that attracted the attention of domestic and foreign scholars at the dawn of professional Archaeology in Iran (Motarjem Sharifi 2014: 50).
A long-lasting Hasanlu Project started by the Museum of the University of Pennsylvania in 1956 under the guidance of Robert H. Dyson, is the most significant work carried out in this basin (Dyson, 1968; 1969). On the other hand, the work at Yanik Tepe, the Northeastern basin of the lake began in 1960 by Charles Burney that furnished important details, among them the identification of the Trans-Caucasian culture’s infiltration into Northwestern Iran (Burney 1961; 1962; 1964). Indeed, earlier excavations conducted by Burton-Brown at Geoy Tepe, in the same basin, had uncovered evidence of the Trans-Caucasian culture at Level K (Burton Brown 1951). Later excavations by Burney at Haftvan Tepe brought to light further aspects of the Bronze and Iron Age cultures.
This region experienced the Middle Bronze culture known as Urmia ware with monochrome and polychrome pottery. Danti divides the Middle Bronze Age into three periods (Danti 2013: 332).
We also know about the Urmia ware in Haftavan VIB. Investigation and recognition of the Urmia ware was carried out by Edwards (Edwards 1983).

Conclusion
Akhoran can well supplement the limited dataset at hand for Hasanlu V. An important point about this site is the absence of the middle bronze material culture. Tepe Akhoran is one of the sites with deposits of the Late bronze age within the prospective reservoir of the kani sib Dam. The main objective of this excavations is to establish the cultural sequence of the site. Other aims include dating the most important settlement attested at the site, and pinpointing the subsistence system of the late bronze age community that occupied it. The nature of the settlement and material culture of the Hasanlu VI period in Dinkhah Tepe and the limitation of the Khabur pottery to the southern areas of Lake Urmia strongly suggest that during this period, people from Mesopotamia migrated to the Ušnu- Solduz valley (Danti et al 2004.584). In the Piranshahr area, excavations at Akhoran Hill provided evidence of a new bronze tradition in the Zab Basin.
The most important cultural material of the Akhorn in late bronze age is potteries, which is produced in a simple and painted sherds. The pottery from Tepe Akhoran is comparable to the material coming from the, Azerbaijan and the Anatoly.
The pottery is decorated with geometric patterns. The shape of the dishes is more inclined to closed-mouth dishes. Also, what the data of Akhoran excavations show indicates the cultural relations of this region with other parts of the Urmia Lake basin, including Hasanlu, and outside the borders of Iran, the areas of Anatolia and Iraqi Kurdistan. This area may be geographically more inclined to Anatolia.

Some Evidence of Counting Game in Iron Age II and III of Qara Tappeh Cemetery in Sagzabad

Mahdi Jahed

Abstract
In determining the boundaries of Qara Tappeh Sagzabad and Tappeh Qabristan in July 2016, evidence of a cemetery in the east of Qara Tappeh and southwest of Tappeh Qabristan belonging they revealed to the Iron Age 2 and 3 under sedimentary layers. In the 2018 and 2019 seasons of excavations, we got valuable findings in trenches 13 and 12 on the site. Among these findings are two tablet-like objects, one of these two objects, made of stone with a rectangular shape and light gray with a length and width of 12.5 × 18 cm and a thickness of 2.8 cm with circular blind holes, The holes made in four vertical rows and nine horizontal rows to a depth of 1.4 cm on one side of the object. We found the object in Grave No. 8 of Trench 13. Another example is a broken part of a gray rectangular clay object measuring 5.1 x 5.86 cm long and 2.81 cm thick with six circular blind holes 2.2 cm deep. We excavated this object from Trench 12. The two objects in question are comparable to the specimens found from Kul-Tarikeh, Haftavan Tappeh, and specimens unearthed from the neighbors of the Uzbeki archaeological site and the Sialk cemetery in the first millennium BC. This article examines these objects in terms of morphology and compares them with other similar findings, and it is likely that these findings, based on other examples and examples from older periods, are a kind of tablet for counting games; First by placing the findings in the archaeological context and comparative comparison with contemporaneous sites and then measuring the results with earlier examples of these findings in other archaeological sites, a preliminary proposal to use a counting game or board game for objects provided.
Keywords: Iron Age, Sagzabad, Qara Tappeh, Numerical Tablet, Boardgame.

Introduction
Since the first archaeological excavations in West Asia to the present day, thousands of types of objects have been discovered from archaeological sites, and researchers have proposed various approaches for the functional interpretation of each object. Among these approaches has been a comparative comparison of the findings with other similar findings and an understanding of the functional concept of the object in the archaeological context. Examples of objects found over a long period from the Late Neolithic period to the Achaemenid period and later in various areas from Egypt to Central Asia have been called game boards. In the excavations of the 2018 and 2019 years seasons in the Qara Tappeh of Sagzabad, similar findings were obtained with these samples. Initially, the findings were assumed to be a common type of board game in ancient West Asian cultures. Further study in this field revealed that unfortunately, no correct definition of the board has been provided in the archaeological literature of West Asia and different these forms from the Neolithic period to the first Islamic century (7th century AD) in this region known or registered. Therefore, the samples were compared with objects called board games, and a suggestion was made to use them. Thus, first, the desired findings and the texture of the place of their discovery are described, and then a brief review of the type of cultural materials called game boards done, and finally, the desired materials analyzed and we make comparative conclusions. Based on this, these findings can be near-certainty examples with the use of counting games. The two morphological objects found in the Qara Tappeh excavations can be like the examples from the findings of the West Asian sites, which are known as game boards in the archeological cultures of the region. For this issue, the two fundamental questions of this research will be in the following order.
1- What is the use of the previous samples in terms of morphology that are like the findings of Qara Tappeh Seghzabad?
2- What kind of Function can the two objects found in Qara Tappeh Sagzabad represent?

Identified Traces
Qara Tappeh is one of the key sites of the Iron Age in the center of the Iranian plateau. Two special findings have been obtained, which are like ancient game boards. The relative and absolute chronology show that these two objects belong to the first millennium BC. Game boards are among the archaeological finds found in large geographical and cultural areas of West Asia and North Africa and the Indian subcontinent, simultaneously with the Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Bronze Age, and the Mesopotamian Dynasty, Egypt up to the Achaemenid period, Perhaps the oldest examples of this are, for example, what introduced by Hole (1977: 215) from the Neolithic site of Choghasefid and Kirkbride (1966: 34) of Beidha and Rollefson (1977) of the Ain Al Ghazal. Various other types of game boards with The Game of 20 Square, The Game of 58 Holes, Senet, Mehen, Mankala, Nine men’s morris, Backgammon, and Chess have been introduced from ancient cultures. With certainty, examples of Qara Tappeh can be one game of 58 holes. This game Rule is less well known, but the overall morphology of the game shows that this board Has been a kind of racing game, pieces like pins could be inserted into the holes of the board and move along a certain path according to the number of dice poured, the name of the game is a description of the appearance of the game but always the number of holes on the board Not equal, it thought that this game invented in Egypt during the ninth to twelfth dynasties (2100 BC) and has been widespread in Egypt since the late third millennium BC. Has found. This game was common during the second millennium BC of Mesopotamia and among its close neighbors. Archaeologists have not found examples of this game in various areas of the region after the 6th century BC. (de voogt et al., 2013: 1718-1719). The samples found from Qara Tappeh can be considered as a type of game of 58-hole based on the morphological comparison.

Conclusion
What is found in the trench of 13 Qara Tappeh with 36 blind holes and a passing hole in the highest part of the tablet can be among the types that are known as the game with 58 holes, the closest example in terms of the number of holes on the find, sample Is introduced in the surface survey of the Kul Tarikeh. Another example that is similar in shape to the two aforementioned examples is the example introduced from the Haftavan. This finding, however, unlike the two aforementioned findings, has 3 horizontal rows and 8 vertical rows. If we accept that the tablet found in Trench 13 is a kind of board game, we must say that there are no special rules for the type of use. On the other hand, the presence of an all-round hole in the upper part of the find can indicate that the tablet could hang from somewhere. Finally, according to the relative comparisons, the object found in Trench 12 can be considered as a broken piece of a game 58-holes. But in the case of Trench 13, this must be considered more carefully. Only according to the appearance of the object can be considered as a preliminary use of the game of 58-holes for it.

Identification of Glaze Compositions Used in Persepolis Glazed Bricks Emphasizing Green and Yellow Glazes

Sasan Samanian

Abstract
Glaze is not a new material and human beings have been familiar with it for many years. Glazes contain a wide range of organic and inorganic compounds. This research is about identifying the glazes of Achaemenid glazed bricks in Persepolis. So far, studies have been conducted on these bricks in the field of introduction, but comprehensive technical studies have not been done on identifying the composition of their glazes. The glazes used in Persepolis clay bricks are painted in white, light green, light green, dark brown, gray and fawn yellow. In this study, light green, light green and yellow fawn glazes were investigated. This research, which is of experimental-laboratory type with reference to valid scientific documents, has been carried out with the aim of identifying the constituent elements of glazes in Achaemenid glazed bricks in Persepolis. What are these bricks? In this regard, using XRD, SEM, DTA and TGA methods and more chemical analysis of the body and glazes, it was identified that the body of this type of brick is a siliceous body and very porous. According to the experiments, the results obtained in this study show that iron and magnesium are present in the composition of all glazes, which may have been present in the main composition (base glaze) in addition to color effects as impurities.
Keywords: Takhtejamshid, Glazed Bricks, Chemical Methods, Green Glaze, Yellow Glaze, Lead Glaze.

Introduction
Persepolis is undoubtedly one of the most magnificent monuments of the ancient world. Glazed bricks were found by Schmidt in various parts of the building, some of which are in the Museum of Ancient Iran and some in other museums, including the Persepolis Museum. The examples studied in this study are located in the eastern wall of the Women’s Palace during the reign of Xerxes, which is now used as the administrative building of Marvdasht Cultural Heritage. The glazed bricks discussed in this study include the parts of the eastern wall of the palace where the glazing of the bricks of these parts is siliceous. Are examined and the necessity of conducting this research is the repair and protection of these glazed bricks. In the present research, the following questions have been answered: 1- What are the components and main coloring factors in light green, light green and fawn yellow glazes in these glazed bricks? 2- What are the components of the body in these glazed bricks? There are different methods for identifying materials. In this study, because most of the colors have been identified, more attempts have been made to use the methods used to identify and analyze the composition of materials, because this study aims to identify the constituent elements of glazes in Achaemenid glazed bricks. In Persepolis and is of experimental-laboratory type with reference to valid scientific documents and conducting library studies and visiting the historical site of Persepolis, which in this regard were identified using XRD, SEM, DTA, TGA body and glaze methods and the most important The coloring agents of these glazes were identified.

Introducing Examples
The samples were very small that after sampling were in the form of flakes and to prepare the test in powder form. Tests performed on samples Immersion tests were performed on two small pieces of body: sample volume, bulk density and volume weight. In addition, more chemical analysis was performed on the samples, which in total showed that about 79% of Sio2 (silica) and 16% of Ca2o3 (calcium oxide) in the body. On the body sample, XRD test, DTA test (thermal analysis) and TGA test (weight change) were also performed.

Green Dye Oxides
A mixture of copper oxide and lead glaze, compared to the chemical composition of the glaze, can produce a variety of green colors. The sample (bold green) was first subjected to XRD test. Also, light green color was tested by XRD and SEM and the results were obtained. In bright green, it shows the presence of two phases of quartz Sio2 and “hydin bergite” Ca (Fe, Mn) Si2o6 In fact, the main phase of both light green and light green is the same, and the percentage of colorants in the composition is probably different. Green The presence or absence of another element can reduce or increase the color of green. Studies show that copper causes blue in alkaline glazes and green in lead glazes.

Yellow Glaze Dye Oxides
In lead-rich acid glazes, the addition of a very small amount of chromium oxide, up to 1% at low temperatures, results in a yellow color. The combination with Cao and Sno2 can also give a pink color. Also, Tio2 titanium oxide makes lead glazes yellow and lead-free glazes white.
The yellow glaze was subjected to XRD test and also SEM test was performed on the above sample. The results show that the yellow color consists of two phases, one CdPbo3 and one quartz phase with a low crystallization percentage. The presence of Pb (lead) is a clear reason for the yellow lead of the glaze, which is one of the main reasons for the greater transparency of the yellow glaze than other glazes. Titanium oxide makes lead glazes yellow, and here we have a lead glaze containing titanium oxide. Therefore, titanium oxide can be mentioned as a possible yellowing agent in this glaze.

Conclusion
The body of the glazed bricks in Persepolis, which has been studied in this study, looks very porous and is milky in color and shiny like flint. The results of the samples are analyzed and the following points can be stated: XRD test on these bricks confirmed that the body was siliceous, and according to the TGA test, it can be said that calcium carbonate was converted to calcium oxide, and weight loss was also the result of this conversion. The green and yellow glazes were lead. The reason for the gloss of these glazes compared to other glazes is that they are lead, and their transparency is still clear. All glazes contained iron and magnesium, which may have been impurities in the main composition of the base glaze, apart from its color effects. XRD test on green glazes shows the presence of two phases Sio2 and Ca (Fe, Mn) Si2o6. The coloring agent in this glaze is Cu, which is almost more noticeable than other elements (except Si and Ca). Therefore, due to the lead content of the glaze, the presence of copper in this lead glaze causes a green color. The presence of Ca in green glazes causes the color of the glaze to become opaque, and it can be said that one of the reasons for being bright or light is the difference in the percentage of Cao. SEM test of yellow glaze detected the presence of Pb elements from Pbo, K from Kcl, Cr from Cr2o3, Ca from Cao Fe from Fe2o3, Al from Al2o3 and Ti from Tio2. The presence of Pb is one of the main reasons why this glaze is more transparent and lead-free than other glazes, and in lead-rich acid glazes, adding a very small amount of Cr2o3 up to one percent at low temperatures, turns yellow. Titanium oxide also makes lead glazes yellow, so titanium oxide can be mentioned as a possible yellowing agent in this glaze, and the presence of iron has made this color tend to be fawn.

The Importance of Totalitarianism and Analytical Engineering in Correcting the Re-reading of Sites and Historical Monuments Due to the Inconsistency of Readings with Scientific and Engineering Principles

Abdolazim Amir-Shahkarami

Abstract
Due to its geology, topography and climate, the land of Iran is rough and unstable. Therefore, the historical monuments located on it are always loading and unstable conditions and therefore need continuous maintenance in a scientific and experimental way. Documenting or reading historical monuments is the most important part of studying antiquities, through which the data and information contained in these monuments can be accessed and using the collected data to understand the knowledge hidden in the engineering of this building. Lack of correct knowledge of the works and insufficient attention to the details and laws hidden in the historical works, leads to incorrect analysis and as a result wrong reading of the work. Which leads to misguidance in policies facing the preservation of monuments and as a result damage to cultural and historical heritage.
This article tries to analyze three incorrect readings of three famous historical works. The method of analysis in this paper is the use of analytical engineering and detailed analysis of the parameters of the effect and how to relate to them, which shows how a system was created and how it worked. And through this, it is concluded that a misreading of a historical collection leads to a misunderstanding of the function of that work, which can lead to errors in dealing with and preserving the work. The studied works include Pasargad site, Bostan arch complex and Biston complex. Each of these three historical sites contains elements for which scientists and archaeologists have defined the subject and application so far. Therefore, in this article, citing structural analyzes and causal relationships, it has been proven that the reading of these scientists is wrong and an attempt has been made to open a new perspective and path for exploring and recognizing these works.
Keywords: Totalitarianism and Analytical Engineering, Psargad, Taqbostan, Bistoon.

Introduction
Due to its location on the earth’s crust, the land of Iran has taken on special geological conditions such as youth and permanent activity of the earth’s crust. On the other hand, due to the local materials used in antiquity, most monuments are very heavy. Therefore, protection and nursing of a wide range of buildings that are in different conditions should be based on science and correct knowledge of the principles of structure, architecture and engineering in general. In order to achieve this goal, the correct processes must be mapped in advance.
If we want to pursue engineering reading or engineering documentation, which is the first and most important thing in identifying ancient science, we must have a correct understanding of engineering and its rules, including design and calculation.
Pathology and anthropology determine antiquity policies. This concept refers to the reading of antiquities. Therefore, in the proposed process for correct reading of antiquities, it is drawn on the basis that in the first step, we know what we should study and how to analyze it. So, the basic principles are based on two questions. “What?” and how?” In the following, these two concepts will be explained.
According to the principles of construction, according to the author, each monument can be divided into three basic parts. These include structural engineering, architecture and interior architecture. In each of these sections, pathology is examined and, in this regard, the mechanical properties of materials, load-bearing capacity, ductility and durability of materials are discussed.
The second step is how to analyze what we have found. Depending on the tools and advanced facilities, three types of engineering can be named. These include translation engineering, code engineering and analytical engineering

Discussion
Considering the concepts and scientific principles expressed in the concept of analytical engineering and the idea of a holistic view of antiquities, in the following, inaccurate readings and analyzes of the three prominent historical works in Iran are examined.
According to the hypothesis put forward in the book Pasargad, a number of grooves with holes in their path are referred to as waterways. And based on this hypothesis, it has been stated that the Pasargadae area was a royal garden. Based on the available evidence and considering the materials used in the floor of the canals and the distance between the cavities, which were the so-called comfort ponds, it can be concluded that these canals were in fact a stone foundation that the wall They were insulated with black stone from wood or white stone used on the walls
In Bostan arch, one can look for a missing link in it by examining various factors such as mountains, faults, headwaters, very wide and flat plains that are very prone to agriculture and green gardens, and then by examining the evidence and Evidence found that this area was a water reservoir. Therefore, the theory of the existence of a hunting ground can be criticized and it can be stated about the mentioned volume that there was no place for a hunting ground in the center of agriculture and dense gardens. On the other hand, there is no evidence that this area is a hunting ground. It seems that the only documents presented in this regard are the carvings done on the walls of the Bostan arch, which cannot be a proof of being a hunting ground in the same area.
Farhad Tarash inscription is located next to Kermanshah road and the shape of the stone is cut or blocked and attention to the integrity of the stone and its homogeneity and compaction according to the height of the mountain above it indicates the high quality of building stone and its value.

Conclusion
Documenting, finding knowledge, engineering and awareness in historical monuments. A historical monument cannot be considered as a rigid physics, but a historical monument is a function of time and has a current nature. Documenting a historical work should not be limited to data collection, but information should be created with the text and, more importantly, using the basic sciences, the knowledge contained in it and then its hidden engineering should be clarified. Through this process, which is briefly determined by macroscopy and in other words, the virtual (mathematical) definition of the design), the design and effect are dynamic.
It is analytical engineering that creates the possibility of totalitarianism and totalitarianism, and in this struggle, while identifying the elements, the relations of all human beings are also clarified. Therefore, in addition to eye vision (eye recognition), archeology must also have in-depth identification by another group. To determine the effect in terms of analytical engineering using analytical totalitarianism.
The correspondence between macroscopy and the reality of physics is of great importance. In other words, the macroscopic preparation and knowledge of each correlated set requires, quantitatively, analytical modeling. In modeling, each physical component is simulated with its mathematical equivalent.

A study on the Architecture of the North of the Country from an Archaeological Perspective and its Role in Sustainable Development (Case Study, Kojoor Ancient Area)

Mohammad Mortezaei

Abstract
The existence of some places in northern Iran with different climates has created special features and since the climate has a direct impact on the formation of culture and architecture of each region, cold and mountainous climate in Kojoor region has led to the formation of different architecture from other parts of the north. Which is mostly taken from the ancient cultures of this area. Meanwhile, architecture and sustainable development, based on naturalism, audience-oriented, functionalism based on exterior design with a combination of memories, needs and common aesthetics between archeology and architecture, designs and directs the exterior space. Kojoor is located between Haraz and Chalous valleys in the west of Mazandaran province, which has the widest areas and identified artifacts belonging to the Islamic era in the region. These works are divided into two groups: hills, and grounds and tomb buildings. In the archeological study of the works of Between the mountains plain of Kojoor, a lot of works including yards, cemeteries, ordering stone architecture, stone mills were identified, which shows its impact on the current culture and architecture. According to the clay data, the time range of the identified areas includes from the prehistoric period (Middle and New Bronze Age, Old Bronze, Iron) to the Islamic period (Qajar), with the largest number of settlements belonging to the Parthian historical period. Considering the large number of places, sites and cultural monuments of different periods in this region, it can be said that favorable conditions for the establishment of human societies have ruled this region. The present article tries to analyze the results of this research and examine the developments of this period, to address the role of these areas in the sustainable development of the region.
Keywords: Historical, Archaeological Sites, Survey and Identification, Sustainable Development of Kojoor.

Introduction
Today, environmental studies are studied in archaeological studies of human-environment interactions based on the theory of “systems and bio-ecological archeology” (Renfrio and Ban,2011:141). Environmental archeology is the knowledge of the relationship between culture and the environment as well as the definition and description of bio-physical features and dynamics (Fagan, 2003: 585-584) in relation to social and economic systems (Butzer, 1980:419).
Explaining the relationship between archeology, man and nature has a long history in human history. Anti-naturalistic and naturalistic approaches have always been presented as paradigms of this type of relationship.
Kojoor architecture is a suitable example of coordination and integration of archeology with nature, which is the result of various climatic, social, economic, cultural factors, etc., and has received the greatest impact from the climate and nature around it. In this study, in order to study sustainable architecture in Mazandaran (Kojoor), first the concept of sustainability, sustainable development and its impact and goals in architecture have been studied. Then, the study of Mazandaran architecture, especially the effect of climatic, natural and ancient features on it has been considered.
Aims and Necessity of Research: This article is the result of several chapters of research and study and archaeological identification of Kojoor section, as a result of which many examples of architectural typology and archaeological findings of the Islamic period were obtained. Due to the fact that not much information about these reports has been published so far and also due to the great diversity of these findings, it was necessary to address them in an independent study. Accordingly, the main purpose of the present study is to study the architecture of the north of the country from an archaeological perspective and its role in sustainable development in the Kojoor region.
Question and Hypothesis: These goals are in order to answer the following questions: 1- To what extent has the ancient background of Kojoor region played a role in the formation and development of indigenous and sustainable architecture of the region? 2- What is the role of reviving the native architecture of the Central Alborz regions, especially the Kojoor region, in preserving and preserving the cultural heritage of these regions?
Research Method: This research is based on the description of events and phenomena, grouping of events and phenomena, and revealing the permanent relationships between phenomena (scientific laws) and formulating theories that explain the causes of events and phenomena. First, events, objects, and phenomena were studied and then observed, described, and described. Then the common features between the phenomena are identified and finally, finding correlation, continuity, or cause and effect relationships between the variables is considered, in order to achieve scientific theories and laws.

Climate of Kojoor
Climate has a direct effect on the formation of culture and architecture, so the cold and mountainous climate in the Kojoor region has led to the formation of architecture different from other parts of the north with a temperate and humid climate.
Due to climatic and environmental conditions, this region has played an effective role in the process of forming sustainable architecture of different Islamic periods.
Architectural analysis of the works and buildings of this region shows that despite being influenced by various buildings, both in the principles of architecture and in the principles of decoration, it is influenced by environmental capabilities and climatic conditions. Obviously, a more accurate understanding of the works of the Islamic era of Kojoor region depends on conducting purposeful studies and scientific archaeological excavations to be aware of the intra-regional, extra-regional cultural relations and sustainable architecture with neighboring regions.
In this regard, architecture is perhaps the most important factor in cultural sustainability, because the architecture of each nation is derived from their geographical environment and reflects the culture and customs of society and the way people look at life. What is certain is that the architecture, which is based on beauty and principles, makes the urban and rural atmosphere spectacular and creates a kind of visual beauty that creates peace and pleasure in the viewer.
Imamzadehs and tower tombs are the most significant architectural works of this region. One of the most famous shrines of this region, Imamzadeh Ibrahim in Shahnajar village, receives many pilgrims from the surrounding areas daily. The tombs of Taher and Motahar in Hezarkhal village, the tomb of Seyyed Mohammad Kiadbir Salehani in Salehan village, the tomb of Darvish rostam Lashk and the tombs of Darvish rostam and Shahragim in Ataghsarai Zanous are among the important mausoleums of Kojoor style. (Q) are of great importance (Hashemi Zarajabadi, 2002: 145).

Conclusion
The study and study of the architecture of each region according to the progress of architectural sciences for the development and growth of each region and Kojoor as one of the important historical regions in all periods, is no exception to this rule. During the past, Kojoor region was considered as one of the human settlements in the geographical area of Central Alborz. The arrangement of the desired elements together can help to study the attitude, type and manner of ethnic and regional relations. Regardless of the type of spaces and forms used, buildings built in mountainous areas from physical structure to decorations related to landscape architecture are visible and easily recognizable. Is. What many Kojoor (mostly religious and residential) buildings have in common is the use of the main element of wood as a skeleton and structure, a decorative element and even partition walls. The diversity of this element and its abundance has always led to its widespread use in architectural structures. Sustainability in architecture can be interpreted as the image and design of future structures, not only with the physical stability of the building, but also with the sustainability of the planet and its energy resources, as seen in the architecture of the Kojoor region. Thus, it seems that sustainability can be conceived based on a model in which available materials and resources are used more efficiently than wasted or ignored.

Study of Islamic Period Pottery in Qorveh Plain of Kurdistan Province

Mohmmad-Ebrahim Zarei

Qalat Mutabad Piranshahr: Chronology, Spatial Organization, Form and Function Based on Archaeological Studies

Haamid Norasi

Abstract
The historical site of Qalat Mutabad in Piranshahr is of paramount importance in numerous historical and cultural documents such as potteries and brick architectural remains, especially in terms of architectural maps and plans. The existence of a star-shaped plan in the design of the site’s outer fence illustrates the importance and pivotal role of this area in the Piranshahr plain. The site is located beside one of the branches of the Little Zab (or Lower Zab) River, which has been gradually destroyed due to the passage of time and the land-use change, “use as a military base in the contemporary period,” and currently the evidence of the architectural debris of the building at the site is evident. Examples of star-shaped plan design in different parts of Iran, as well as European fortresses, can be observed, and it is comparable to the plan of Qalat Mutabad in this respect. The main problem of this article is to evaluate the site relying on the available documents and evidence so that we study the importance of military forts in the Piranshahr plain while achieving a relative dating of the site. Accordingly, some questions about the architectural structure, especially its plan and the military and residential function of the site arise. According to written historical sources, the study of similar examples, as well as material artifacts at the site level, hypotheses concerning the attribution of the site to the period after Safavid, “Afshar or Qajar,” military function inspired by Western architectural elements, are presented. This study was conducted in a historical, descriptive-analytical method. In addition to studying historical sources and field documentation by the authors at the site, aerial images and data gained from these images were exploited.
Keywords: Qalat Mut-Abad, Form and Function Based, Star-Shaped Plan, Piranshahr.

Introduction
Qalat Mutabad site with an area of 20 hectares is located in Piranshahr city, 15 kilometers away from Tamrchin border crossing in south of Little Zab River. The plan of the site is star-shaped, overlooking the border crossings. In terms of architectural plan and location, Qalat Mutabad is noticeable and worthy of study.
Significance and Objectives of the Research: Concerning the destruction of the site and the ever-rising expansion of degradation factors, while introducing and recognizing Qalat Mutabad due to the lack of historical and archaeological data of the Islamic periods in Piranshahr, this study can contribute to the completeness of the information.
Questions and Objectives of the Research: Qalat Mutabad belongs to which period? What are the factors affecting the construction and star-shaped design of the site? It seems that this site belongs to the late centuries of Islam. Due to its geographical location and exposure to natural and political boundaries, Qalat Mutabad was built as a fortress and military base to repel the attacks of the Ottoman state or local insurgency.
Methods: The research method in this article is historical, and content analysis is descriptive-analytical. Aerial images explore written historical evidence and archaeological findings.
Literature Review: The historical site of Qalat Mutabad was pointed out in the photo book of Ali Khan Vali (Ali khan vali, 1862-1900: 183). In archaeological investigations, the Qalat Mutabad site with a history of 2500 BC, registration No. 611, was recorded in 1966 (West Azarbaijan Cultural Heritage Archives: 2019). The survey carried out in 2002 reviewed the site of Qalat Mutabad, and the area with historical-Islamic antiquity was registered as the hill of Qala-e-Mut with registration No. 7526 (West Azarbaijan Cultural Heritage Archives: 2019). In the study of Ali Binandeh for the master’s thesis “Archaeological Study of the Little Zab River,” he attributes this site to the Bronze Age, historical and Islamic period (Binandeh, 2008: 73).

Qalat Mutabad
Qalat Mutabad faces multiple problems, including the use of the site as a military base until recent years, industrial workshops in the area and boundary of the site, destruction by agricultural land, construction of garden houses, and the activities of unauthorized diggers. Problems have caused the site to lose its architectural structure and identity. For a detailed study, by utilizing satellite images of the Corona satellite taken in 1969, the site and its architectural structure are initially studied. Using the pictures of Ali Khan Vali’s book, a more accurate study of the site and its architectural evidence will be then addressed.
Below is the recorded photo, taken by Ali Khan Vali in the Qajar period, in which the word Qala-e-Mutabad was exploited. In addition to demonstrating that the site is a fortress, this historical document proves that the name of Mutabad has not been newly known in this area and has historical and old roots (Ali Khan Vali, Ibid: 183). The term Qalat in the Kurdish language means fortress, and it seems that Mutabad has come from the two words Mut + Abad. According to the evidence, before Iran’s Islamic revolution in 1978, there was a village called Motabad, which was evacuated after using the site as a military base in 1978 (Binandeh, Ibid: 73).
In Corona satellite images, the site has two parts of the outer fence with a star-shaped plan and the area’s inner part as a hill with a natural bed. There is a hill with a natural bed in the interior of the site. In unauthorized excavation cuts performed in the site, the thickness of ancient layers up to 2 meters is visible. Based on the Corona satellite images, an almost square-shaped area with suspicious architectural features can be seen at the top of the site.

Conclusion
Due to enjoying environmental potentials and also being located in the border strip of Iran with Mesopotamia, the Piranshahr region has always been a buffer zone due to successive wars from the Safavid period onwards with the formation of Safavid and Ottoman rules. With the coming to power of the Safavids and due to various gaps, local powers such as the Bilbas Tribal Union, the local governments of Savojbolagh Mokri and Urmia in Iran, as well as the local government of Baban in the Ottoman-ruled areas of Sulaimaniyah in Iraq, have turned the Piranshahr area into a scene of regional battles for various political, religious, and ethnic reasons. Historical documents and texts provide concise and beneficial information about the political and military situation in the Piranshahr area. Regional conflicts and wars mainly exhibit the military importance of the region and efforts to rule in it. About the existence of pottery findings and architectural works in the site of Qalat Mutabad and the lack of accurate dating of these findings because of their simplicity and locality, achieving a final decision based on the findings of pottery is impossible. Due to the existence of Corona satellite images and the intactness of the star-shaped plan of the Qalat Mutabad site and the presence of a photo of the site from the Qajar period and naming the site as the fortress, as well as the soundness of parts of the wall, towers, and architectural works in the photo, we can argue that not much time has elapsed since the destruction of the fortress. Accordingly, with comparative studies, the state of the landscape of the site and also the existence of similar examples of military fortresses with regular and star-shaped plans in the post-Safavid period “Afsharieh or Qajarieh” which are made inspired by European elements, the site of Qalat Mutabad can be attributed to Afsharieh or Qajar era.

A Study of the Political Relations of the Deccan Royal System with the Safavid Government (With Emphasis on the Role of Shah Taher, Iranian Bureaucrat)

Alireza Ghasempour-Nobijari

Abstract
During the Safavid period, the Shiite denomination spread in the Dekan peninsula and some sultans of the region having some common religious beliefs established good political relations with the Safavid government. The migration of Iranian shiits to one of the eighth century AH had significantly increased and reached its peak in the tenth and eleventh centuries. One of the emigrants who played a decisive role in strengthening the political relation between Nezam Shahian dynasty and the Safavid government was Shah Tahir. This paper aims to study the role of Shah Tahir, the factor in that ralationship and its impact on both governments. The authors applying a descriptive- analytical method try to explain the role of Shah Tahir in propagation of Shiism and consolidation of relations between the two countries. Data was collected through a research and library method. Although Nezam Shahian unlike Adel Shahian and Qutb Shahian had initially no connection with Iran and the Safavid dynasty, in fact they weren’t among those who had migrated to southern India, Shah Tahir’s migration led to the establishment and development of political, cultural relations with the Safavids. However the Nezsm Shahian lagged significantly behind the other Shiite governments in southern India, converting to Shiism, its attitude to Shiism was closer to that of the Safavid to it. And this led to a special connection between the Safavid government during Shah Tahmasb’s reign and Nezam Shahian dynasty. So we can say that the factor of religion played a key role strengthening the relation between the Safavid and Nezsm Shahian and the person who caused such a religious closeness was the Iranian bureaucrat, ShahTahir. In fact the migration of the Iranian bureaucrats to the southern India led to the spread of Shiism in that region and Shah Tahir influencing the king of Nezam Shahian caused the Shiite to become official in the region. That was the beginning of a Safavid-Nezam Shahian solid relation.
Keywords: Shiite, Shah Tahir, Safavid, Nezam Shahian, Dekan Peninsula.

Introduction
The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of Shah Taher as an Iranian bureaucrat who, by migrating to Deccan during the reign of the Shah, has caused the spread of Shiism in this region and the political relationship between the two governments.
The important question raised in this study is what role did the Iranian bureaucrats, including Shah Taher, play in strengthening the relations between the Shahs and the Safavid government? It seems that the similarity of religion was the most important reason for the closeness and strengthening of political relations between the Shahs and the Safavid government. Among them were Iranian bureaucrats who led the Shiites to accept the Shiite religion, and Iranian bureaucrats, including Shah Taher, who operated in the royal court, promoted Shiism among the Shahs and the Safavids, strengthening the religious unity of the Shahs and the Safavids and strengthening their political, economic and cultural relations.
The present research is descriptive-analytical and its data collection method is library.
Cultural and civilizational relations between Iran and India have a long history. Among them, Iranian bureaucrats have played an indispensable role in deepening these relations and relations, especially in the Deccan region. The Iranian bureaucrats, who were themselves great scholars and had the Shiite religion, by infiltrating the court of various sultans, tried to attract their attention in order to gain the material and spiritual support of these rulers, and by inviting Shiite scholars and elders from Iran to Deccan and on behalf of Other appropriate mechanisms in the Deccan have promoted their Shiite ideas. Among these people are Mir Fazlullah Injui, Khajeh Mahmoud Gavan, Shah Nawaz Khan Shirazi, Afzal Khan Shirazi, Shah Taher, Mir Mohammad Mo’men Astarabadi, Ibn Khatun are among the great Shiite scholars and politicians who migrated to Deccan from Iran during the various governments of Deccan. They entered the system of government and progressed rapidly. They played a very important role in establishing governments and suppressing the uprisings and oppositions of that time, and by inviting Shiites, giving them positions, building mosques and schools, they played a very important role in the cultural and political developments of Deccan, especially deepening and spreading beliefs. They had Shiites. Among them, Shah Taher was an Iranian bureaucrat who played a key role in the tendency of the Shahs to Shiism as well as the strengthening of relations between the Shahs and the Safavids.

Discussion
The Shahs were a dynasty of Deccan kings who ruled in Ahmadnagar province from 895 AH to about 1042 AH. The founder of this dynasty was named Ahmad Shah, whose father held the position of minister in the court of Bahmani sultans. Ahmad Shah was also called Nizam al-Muk Bahri and it was because of this Nizam al-Mulk that this dynasty was called Nizam al-Shahi. After the death of Queen Ahmad Nizam Shah Bahri in 914 AH, his son Borhan became king. He was a lover of science and scholars. Many scholars depended on him. He had a special interest in Iranian scientists. During his reign in 928 AH, Taher Ibn Razi Hamedani, known as “Shah Taher Hosseini”, entered Ahmadnagar from Iran and created a map in the religious and political environment of the court. He influenced the argument with his knowledge and grace. Burhan Nizam Shah chose him as his minister and Shah Tahir settled that land and tried to serve Burhan and caused that in 962 AH, Burhan Nizam Shah turned to Shiism and introduced it as the official religion.
Shah Tahir, who was initially a supporter of Shah Ismail Safavid in Iran, opposed him and was about to be killed. He secretly went to India and lived in the court of a very honorable royal system. He trained many scholars in various Islamic subjects and his field of study was one of the largest in India. Burhan Nizam Shah Ahmad Nangari, the second ruler of the Nizam Shah dynasty in Ahmad Nangar, under the influence of Shah Tahir, converted to Shiism with his relatives and rulers and made it the official religion of his country.

Conclusion
About 3,000 people converted to Shiism in imitation of the Shah. The Sunni people and the great Sunni scholars reacted strongly to this move, they even besieged the royal palace, but to no avail. Following the change of the official religion of Ahmadinejad’s monarchy, there were changes in relations with foreign countries and conflicts with neighboring countries, but good relations were established with the Iranian government. Shah Ismail Safavid showed interest in friendship with Borhan and sent his ambassador to Ahmadnagar. Until the time of Shah Tahmasb, good relations between the Shahs and the Safavids continued.