Investigating the Cultural Evolutions in Western Hinterlands of Alvand From Chalcolithic period to the End of Iron Age (Based on an archeological survey in Tuyserkan intermountain plain)

Extensive or intensive methods in archeological surveys are amongst the most common practical techniques in identifying phenomena, cultural changes and cultural ecosystem. Studying and identifying plains, valleys and different regions would definitely have many results which can ultimately lead to a comprehensive database about ancient societies and their interactions. Different plains on the slopes of Alvand, a subrange of the Zagros Mountains in western Iran, including Tuyserkan plain in eastern central Zagros have always been the center of human societies with high potentials as settlements for primary societies. Regarding the research project of “investigating, identifying, complementary documenting and registering the ancient sits of Tuyserkan County” this region was intensively surveyed during the winter of 2012 and archeological studies were conducted with the aim of recognizing and registering illegible historical and ancient sites. On the basis of this survey 44 sites from chalcolithic to recent Islamic periods were identified, including 3 chalcolithic sites, 4 Bronze Age sites and only 2 Iron Age sites. Dalma ceramics and painted stemware known as BOB are the featured ceramics of chalcolithic period in this region, while Bronze Age is featured with Yaniq ceramics and Iron Age with buff ware and gray ware ceramics. The present study aims in studying and analyzing the expansion pattern and spatial distribution of human settlements in this area from chalcolithic to Iron Age and estimating the archaeological hierarchy of these sites and their spatial relations on western side of Alvand mountain range among themselves and with their adjacent cultural areas.