Analyzing the contribution of environmental factors to spatial distribution of copper stone settlements in southern part of the cultural region of Halil River (Kahnuj, Qaleh Ganj, and Southern Rudbar plains)

Environmental factors, have played a decisive role in shaping and spatial distribution of human settlements. The study of human-environment interactions is one of the major approaches in modern archeology. Understanding human-environment relationships become more important in studying multiple geographic areas.  Halil river cultural area is also one of the geographical areas with three climates of "mountainous and temperate", "warm" and "warm and dry and this climatic multiplicity has led to specific patterns in the location and development of permanent and temporary settlements. This is while, Prehistoric archaeological studies in this area, are more focused on the Bronze Age settlements and the contribution of copper and stone settlements to such studies is very small. Accordingly, the study of the role of environmental factors in the spatial distribution, viability, and shaping of settlements of the Copper and Stone Age plays an important role in understanding pre-historic cultures before entering the Bronze Age. Because some of the backgrounds of the formation of the Bronze Age cultures can be traced back to the Copper-Stone age. The main question is, what is the impact and role of environmental factors on the spatial distribution of copper and rock settlements in the southern part of Halil river basin? The research method is descriptive-analytical and is based on data from archaeological studies. Environmental factors such as altitude, direction and extent of land slope, water resources, land structure and land use associated with 69 copper-rock deployments were analyzed using GIS. Based on the results, elevation and access to water resources have the most role in the location and shape of the settlements. Accordingly, the role of environmental factors in the tradition of migration and intra-regional relocation is also important, and the study of settlement distribution based on copper- rock chronology indicates an increase in population in this area.