Prehistoric Settlement Patterns in the Abhar Rud Basin

Zanjan province, especially Abhar Rud basin, located in the middle of three cultural-geographical zones of the central plateau, west and northwest of Iran, is an important but unknown region as far as archeological studies are concerned. Climatic features, unique geographical situation and the exceptional location of the region on the natural pathway from the central plateau to northwest of Iran, have made this region attractive to all human groups from very old times. The geographical situation and location clearly explains why Abhar Rud basin is significant in archeological studies of Iran. However, we have little information on the changes that the region has undergone during prehistoric eras and about its relations with other cultural regions. Therefore, doing archeological researches, especially regional surveys, seem necessary. Knowing about the settlements pattern of the region can help us understand the interactions between this region and its neighboring culturalgeographical regions. Thus archeological surveys in the basin were carried out in two seasons between the years of 1382 and 1384. The surveys provided us with valuable information about the history of the settlements in the region. Here we will present the results of the archeological surveys carried out in the region and we will try to analyze them.