An Analysis of the Chalcolithic Settlement Patterns of Southern Roudbar Plain, Halilroud Basin

Roodbar plain and the mountainous surrounding areas of the southeast of Iran have long been a great place to establish the human settlements due to their suitable climate. Archaeological surveys of Roudbar plain and the mountainous areas around it in the cultural basin of Halilroud were carried out in an area of over 6000 square kilometers and as a result, 53 sites were identified and contributed to the Chalcolithic period. Permanent river of Halialroud and the fertile plain of the southern Roudbar have been the most important factors influencing the formation of the settlement pattern of the Chalcolithic sites in this area. The main pattern of sites distribution in this period are a cluster pattern near Halialroud and its sub-branches in the bed of Roudbar plain and on foots and slopes of the mountains. Given the available evidence including location, extent, amount and density of surface effects it is possible to attribute these sites to permanent or temporary settlements. By studying the pottery types obtained from these sites and comparing it with Yahya's potteries and tall-e Iblis and Mahtotabad we can observe the sequence and continuity of deployment in different stages of the Chalcolithic period. The relation with the centers such as Bardsir valley (Iblis), Soghun plain (Yahya) and Jiroft plain (Mahtotabad) led to the creation of common cultures and cross-cultural interactions during this period. This article attempts to introduce the Chalcolithic settlements of the southern Roudbarplain using the geographical information system (GIS) to reconstruction and analysis of the settlement pattern of this period.