Abstract
The present paper is about the result of two seasons of archaeological exploration in the southwest of Kaleibar Township in the Arasbaran Area of the East Azerbaijan Province. The first season of archaeological exploration was conducted in 2014 and the second season was conducted in 2016. The purpose of the first season of exploration was salvage exploration to identify ancient sites in the area within the Peiqam- Chay Dam. Regarding the Tumulus that were discovered in the area of this dam, and considering their incomparability in the northwest of Iran, the second season of the exploration was carried out and in 2016, the area was re-examined. In this survey, the role of geographical factors such as altitude, distance and proximity to the river and the springs, the percentage of slope and access to pastures in the creation of ancient rural settlements were analyzed. concerning the distance and proximity to the river, it was found out that almost 95% of the ancient settlements were located 500 meters or less far from the rivers and most of them were located at altitudes of 1400 to 1500 meters, considered a suitable altitude for residence. In terms of slope, the settlements were created at a slope of less than 10%. With the Geo-Reference of the map, the nowadays nomadic roads were estimated on the map of the study area, which the sites identified on that, the human has used the path to migrate three thousand years ago, as today’s tribes also traverse. Therefore, it can be proven that the migration pattern has continued here for three thousand years, and the chosen human model has been a nomadic or semi-permanent life style. 
Keywords: Kaleibar, The Analysis of Settlement Patterns, Spatial Distribution, Peiqamchay River.

Introduction
In archeology, reconstructing the natural environment is trivial in order to understand how ancient settlements taking advantage of geography science, since the influence of human and environment throughout the life of the planet has been unequivocal.
In this study, the factors affecting the formation and distribution of human settlements and the spatial distribution were considered. A total of 72 ancient sites were identified in two seasons with two types of settlement patterns, permanent settlement and pastoral nomadic settlements. The method of exploration in this study was pedestrian survey and stepwise scrolling. The whole study area of 306 square kilometers was surveyed and scrolled. The relationship between the identified sites with the river and its distance, height from the sea level, the proper slope of the land for settlement and its overall environmental status were carefully analyzed. 
The exploration was carried out based on maps of 1.25000, site visits and surface sampling. Finally, the findings were analyzed in the Global Mapper program. The study area was morphologically taken intoconsideration from the past, by the livestock communities due to its high mountains, deep valleys and mid-mountain plains and its placement in the nomadic tract. Because of its proximity to the valley of the Aras River, the small Caucasus Mountains (South) and the Qara Baq of Azerbaijan, as well as the Kaleibar Chay River, and suitable annual rainfall, it has a humid climate, the existence of the Arasbaran forests was its most important feature. All of these factors have made the climate suitable for a settlement of at least 3,000 years ago for the communities in which it resides. 

Field Work
The method of this study was field survey and almost all the study area was surveyed. the majority of the sited restricted into the historic Kurgans and sites of the first millennium BC which were obtained in the southern regions. The study of sea level elevation indicated that almost all of ancient settlements were formed at altitudes of 1400 and 1500 meters above sea level. Slope percentages showed 5 Kurgans (first millennium BC) less than 5% slope, 18 slope effects between 5 to 10% slope, 20 slope effects between 10 to 20% slope effect, and slope between 20 and 30 slope effects. And 1 effect on the slope between 40 and 50%. There is a direct correlation between the river and the number of sites. As we move away from the riverbank, the number of yards’ decreases, and the closer we get to the river, the greater the number of yards. But in the southwestern part of the region the volume of sediments is higher and probably part of the buried archeological findings. The item of Resilient lands indicates that the topography of the river bank in the southern part due to the mahogany collision was not necessary for settlement.
The adaptation of the modern nomadic tribes showed with the map of the identified ancient sites. The route of the ancient nomadic nomads is somewhat in line with the present-day route, and of course there is some change in direction.

Conclusion
In general, this paper seeks to examine the role of environmental factors on shaping the human ecological spaces of the first millennium in the city of Kaleibar, and finally, the ecological factors have been survived three thousand years ago in the life of the modern nomad tribed, are being analyzed.
Referring to the types of landscape, it should be noted that those areas which are located closest to the Peiqamchay River and its main valley, due to their location on agricultural land, are within the average height of 1500 m. suitable climate, proximity to the river, easy access to exchange routes, the richness of alluvial soils, forest cover and the rich rangelands of its peripheral parts make it possible to establish permanent habitats. The best example of these areas is in the southern half of the Peiqamchay Valley. The type of landscapes in the northern part of the city can be very difficult to identify, but given the high altitude of this part of the city and its cool climate for half a year, the existence of mounds, river avoidance and proximity to many springs, the rich rangelands, along with the slight scattering and excessive corrosion of the pottery, may be attributed to the settlers in this area. The relative results in both the north and south sections of the study area of the valley indicate the dominance of the nomadic or semi-permanent settlement patterns.

Abstract
Abstract: In the last two decades, as a result of the significant increase in archaeological field activities in Iraqi Kurdistan, some important sites and artifacts from the Sassanid period have been discovered. Even though during the Sassanid period, the northern region of Mesopotamia was considered a part of the Sassanid Empire, many archaeological features of this region in the Sassanid period have remained unknown. In this research, which was carried out using a library method, we have studied 42 ancient sites or monuments in Iraqi Kurdistan belonging to the Sassanid period, which have mainly been identified in recent years. This research aims to find an answer to some questions about the location of the Sassanid settlements in the region and the geographical and environmental factors affecting their formation. The Sassanid remnants of Iraqi Kurdistan include settlements, monuments, government complexes, fortifications, water channels, cemeteries, and the local production centers of textiles and pottery. The results of this research show that Sassanid settlements in Iraqi Kurdistan have mainly concentrated in three areas: 1. Shahrizur plain and the area around Dukan Lake 2. Erbil plain, 3. Garmian region. These areas, which are in the form of open plains and vast inter-mountain valleys, had importance in the Sassanid period due to having characteristics such as suitable height, abundant water sources, fertile soil, and being located on the important communication routes and therefore they were as a place for the formation of the settlements in the mentioned period.
Keywords: Iraqi Kurdistan, Northern Mesopotamia, Sasanian Period, Archaeological Settlements.

Introduction
The four-hundred-year Sassanid period is considered one of the important periods in the history of Iran and the Middle East. The northern region of Iraq, which is today known as the Kurdistan region, was considered one of the main parts of the Sasanian Empire. On the other hand, it was important politically and geopolitically due to its proximity to the Sassanid capital of Ctesiphon and its location between the Sassanid center and the Eastern Roman territory. Although historical sources provide a relatively clearer view of the northern region of Iraq in the Sassanid period, the archaeological evidence of the Sasanian period in Iraqi Kurdistan has not been significant until recent decades.
In the past two decades, a large number of historical and prehistoric sites in the mentioned region have been surveyed or excavated, among which a number are related to the Sassanid period. Identification of these sites and monuments can lead to better knowledge about the economic, political and social situation of the region during the Sassanid Empire.

Materials and Methods
One of the goals of this research is to investigate the Sassanid settlements of Iraqi Kurdistan based on the results of archaeological surveys and excavations. Some of the questions that this research seeks to answer are: 1. What are the most important settlements of the Sassanid period in Iraqi Kurdistan and how were they distributed?
2. Which areas in northern Iraq, had the greatest importance in terms of quantity and quality of Sassanid settlements? 3. What are the most important geographical and environmental factors involved in the formation of Sassanid settlements in Iraqi Kurdistan?

Data
Based on the distribution of Sassanid sites in Iraqi Kurdistan, this area has been divided into three parts including eastern, southern, and western parts:
Region 1: including the eastern part of Iraqi Kurdistan, which mainly includes the present-day Sulaymaniyah province, stretches from north to the Lake of Dukan and Darband Ranieh, from east to the border of Iran and Iraq, from west to the east bank of the little Zab river, and from the south to the end of the Shahrizur plain. The Sassanid sites of this region are:
Murad Rasu, Qalatga Darband, Usu Aska, Gerd-i Bazar, Merquly, Tell Sitak, Girdi Rostam, and the sites of Shahrizur plain including Gerd-i Kazhaw, Bestansur, SSP 4, Tell Begum, Gird-I Qalrakh, Sutik Tape, Bakr Awa
Region 2: Southern part of Iraqi Kurdistan (Garmian). The Sassanid sites of this region are:
Bazyan Palace, Girdi Qala, Paikuli, Sasanid palace of Paikuli, Qalai Gawri, SRP 9, SRP10, Irrigation canal of Kalar, Kani Masi/ Tell Majid, Gawr Tepe, Top Askar cemetery, Hawsh Kori
Region 3: Western part of Iraqi Kurdistan includes Erbil and Dohuk provinces. The Sassanid sites of this region are:
Tell Amiyan, Canal A of the village of Kawr Gosk, Erbil city, Qasr Shemamok, Tell Khazana/Khazna, site no. 31, Baqrta, Satu Qala, sites n.3, 8, 4, 22, 24, 25, 27&28 in Erbil plain

Discussion
The geographical and environmental factors affecting the distribution of Sasanian sites in Iraqi Kurdistan are:
1. Topography: The results of this research, which are reflected in Fig. 12, indicate that in total, about 76% of Sasanian sites of Iraqi Kurdistan are mainly located in the mountainous plains, and only a handful of the sites are located in the mountainous and high places outside of the plains.
2. Height above sea level: Most of the Sassanid settlements in Iraqi Kurdistan are located at an altitude of less than 600 m, and only a few sites are located at an altitude of more than 1000 m (Fig. 12). The lowest areas are located in the Garmian region, i.e. in the Sirvan river valley and the Kalar plain, which is mostly less than 300 m above sea level.
3. Access to water sources: All the Sasanian sites in the Kurdistan region are located near permanent water sources, the most important of which are Great Zab, Little Zab, and Sirvan. In addition to that, a significant number of sites are located next to permanent springs or smaller rivers, such as Shalar River in Penjwen, Wadi Shatwan and Tanjero in Shahrizur Plain, Tavuq cay in Chamchamal Plain and Shiwazor and Chai Siwasor in Erbil Plain. 

Access to Fertile Soil
The plains of Shahrizur, Erbil, and Garmian, where the largest number of Sasanian settlements are located, also have the most fertile soil in the region for agriculture (Yasin, 2014: 240).

Proximity to Communication Ways
Most of the Sassanid sites in Iraqi Kurdistan are located in the plains that were on the path of important commercial and political roads between southern Mesopotamia and the Sassanid capital on one hand with the land of Azerbaijan and the Iranian plateau in the east on other hand and the land of Eastern Rome, Asia Minor and Syria in the north and northwest on another hand. The existence of the Paikuli tower and some other important sites in the Sirvan river valley indicate the importance of this communication route.

The Extent of Sassanid Settlements
Most of the Sassanid sites in Iraqi Kurdistan are less than five hectares in size, which are considered small settlements. Therefore, we can see a significant difference between the extent of the Sasanian sites in the north and south of Mesopotamia. 

Conclusion
In this research, we have studied 42 sites or monuments of the Sassanid period in Iraqi Kurdistan, which were mainly discovered in the last two decades as a result of archaeological excavations or surveys. Some of the mentioned sites, such as Gerd-i Bazar, Gerd-i Kazhaw, Gird-i Qalrakh, Girdi Qala, Paikuli, Top-Askar, and Hawsh Kori, can be considered important sites of the Sasanian period in Iraqi Kurdistan. These sites contain information about memorial buildings (Paikuli), government complexes (Hawsh Kori), fortifications (Merquly, Gerd-i Kazhaw, SRP 9), water canals (Kawr Gosk, Kalar), Burial methods (Gerd-i Bazar, Top Askar), beliefs, economy and local centers for production textile (Gird-i Qalrakh), pottery and other livelihood aspects in Iraqi Kurdistan during the Sassanid period.
The result of this research shows that most Sassanid settlements in Iraqi Kurdistan are located in low-altitude and mid-mountain plains such as Shahrizur plain, Sirvan river valley, and Erbil plain. Among the advantages of these plains, we can point out access to permanent water sources, fertile soil, and location on the important communication routes that connect the west of Iran to the south of Turkey and east of Syria. In general, although most of the Sassanid sites discussed in this article lost their importance and were abandoned in the following periods, the plains where these sites were located, due to having ideal conditions and Geographical and environmental factors are still the main centers for urban settlements in the Kurdistan region.

Abstract
In recent decades, our knowledge about the Parthian period has increased significantly thanks to the valuable field researches mainly in the form of archaeological surveys. The target area of this research, Abbar and Darram districts, in Tarom Olia of Zanjan province, is also one of the areas where no information was available about its condition in the Parthian period. This research study 12 Parthian sites of the area, in order to answer questions such as the quality and quantity of settlements, The influence of climatic and environmental factors on the formation of sites, the characteristics of cultural materials and especially the typology of pottery, the differences and commonalities with the surrounding areas and the reconstruction of the historical and cultural image of the region in the Parthian period. The Parthian sites of the region were studied based on factors such as height, land slope, soil quality, and access to water sources and communication routes. Studying of Parthian potteries, including three groups of decorated, common and fillide, indicate that the pottery tradition of the region, in addition to having local characteristics, was influenced by the pottery traditions of the north, northwest and West of Iran, which indicates inter-regional connections and the role of Tarom region as a bridge between different parts of North-West Iran. The Parthian settlements were mainly formed near permanent water sources such as Ghezel-Ozan River and in low-slope, low-altitude and fertile lands. Due to the hydrological condition of the Tarom Valley and the abundance of water resources, all the Parthian sites access to sufficient water. According to the settlement pattern, it seems that the majority of the population of the area had a livelihood based on agriculture and gardening, in which the Darram Castle with an area of about 20 hectares played a key role in the area.
Keywords: Tarom Olia, Abbar, Darram, Archaeological Survey, Parthian Settlements.

Introduction
Zanjan province has long been one of the important areas for the formation of human sites in the northwestern part of Iran’s plateau due to its climatic conditions and geographical location as a communication corridor between the central plateau and the northwest of Iran. Tarom County, located in the northernmost part of Zanjan province, has the potential for the formation and relative development of human settlements. A season of archaeological survey in the area of Abbar and Darram in Upper Tarom County identified 12 Parthian sites based mainly on the typology of pottery, including Pavehrud, Dam, Foqlake 1, Foqlake 2, Emamzadeh, Vaznehsar, Darram, Oghlanqalasi, Govarqale 1, Govarqale 2, Govarqale 3, and Kuhkan Olya. This research, conducted through field and library studies, aims to investigate the Parthian sites in the region, exploring questions about the quantity and quality of Parthian sites, the influence of climatic and environmental factors on their formation, the typology of cultural materials (mainly pottery), and their differences and commonalities with surrounding areas. The Parthian pottery from the studied sites can be classified into three groups: decorated pottery, plain pottery, and Fillide pottery.

Environmental effects on formation of the Tarom Parthian sites
1. Water sources: In the Tarom region, along with the permanent flow of the Qezel-Uzan River, there are rich underground water sources, such as wells, canals, springs, tributaries, seasonal rivers, and channels, providing favorable conditions for the formation of human societies. In the studied area, nine sites are located less than 500 meters from rivers like Sherfan-Rud, Abbar, Nokian, Qeshlaq-Rud, and Vaznehsar, while two sites are situated less than 10 meters from Qezel-Uzan itself. Due to the hydrological conditions of the valley and the abundance of water sources, all sites in Abbar and Darram had access to sufficient water and were located near permanent water sources.
2. Hypsometry: The Parthian settlements in this area are located at different heights above sea level. Oghlanqalasi, at an altitude of 408 meters, and Dam, at an altitude of 1288 meters, are the lowest and highest Parthian sites in the study area, respectively. Overall, the Parthian sites in the region can be categorized into two groups based on altitude: those below 700 meters and those above 900 meters. There are 9 Parthian sites (75%) below 700 meters and only three sites (25%) above 900 meters. The first group is situated in valleys between mountains near rivers, while the second group is located on highland slopes.
3. Land slope: There appears to be a direct correlation between the elevation of Parthian sites in Abbar and Darram and the slope of the land. All nine Parthian sites in Abbar and Darram below 700 meters have slopes of less than 10 degrees, indicating that 75% of the sites are on low slopes and altitudes. Among the sites in Abbar and Darram, only 3 sites (25%) between 900 and 1300 meters have relatively steep slopes of 20 to 30 degrees. The slopes of the sites vary in direction, mainly north to south and west to east, highlighting the importance of sunlight in the formation of Parthian settlements in Abbar and Darram.
4. Land use: All Parthian sites below 700 meters with slopes less than 10% have fertile soil suitable for agriculture. The largest lowland and alluvial lands in the survey area are located on the northern edge of Qezel-Uzan, in the eastern and northwestern parts of Darram Castle. These lands have good access to water from the Siah Rud River to the north and the Ghezel Uzan River to the west.
5. Communication ways: Due to the topography of the area, communication routes have remained relatively unchanged over different periods, limited to inter-mountain valleys along rivers. The Parthian sites in this region are mainly aligned in a northwest-southeast direction along Qezel-Uzan or in valleys of sub-rivers perpendicular to the Qezel-Uzan River valley. The main modern communication road in the region follows a similar route along Qezl-Ozen. The proximity of Parthian sites to modern roads suggests that ancient roads likely followed a similar path.

Conclusion
In total, the sites located at an altitude of less than 700 meters, with an average size of 3.3 hectares, have good conditions for agricultural and horticultural activities due to easy access to water sources, good soil, and suitable slope. Additionally, sites located at a height of more than 900 meters above sea level, with an average area of 0.79 hectares, are situated in the middle of valleys and on sloping surfaces near tributary rivers, with rich pastures and water resources, making them favorable for animal husbandry activities. Moreover, the size and density of Parthian sites in the lower areas are much greater than in the higher areas. Considering that the size and density of the sites indicate the population living in the region, it appears from the results of our study that the dominant population of Abbar and Darram in the Parthian period had a subsistence economy based on agriculture and horticulture.
Among the identified Parthian sites, the site of Darram Castle, with an area of about 20 hectares, is a massive fortification structure on the northern bank of Qezel-Uzan. Given some features of Darram Castle such as its large size, fortification, easy access to permanent water sources, and access to agricultural land, it seems that Darram Castle played a key role throughout the study region in the last centuries of the Parthian period. The results of the study indicate that the pottery tradition in the region, in addition to being influenced by internal and local factors, was influenced by neighboring regions in the north, northwest, and west of Iran.