Re-evaluating the “Notion” of Decline in Chogha Mish During the end of Middle Susiana

Undoubtedly, Chogha Mish is the most recognized prehistoric settlement, which has multiple cultural sequences of prehistoric Susiana, but our current knowledge assumes that from the end of the Late Middle Susiana to the first stage of the Late Susiana phase it had been deserted or became a marginal settlement. The evaluation of the available evidence, both those obtained from Chogha Mish and those from various areas and sites during recent decades, show that the idea of the decline of Chogha Mish in this period cannot be completely correct. Here we will first discuss one of the well-known pieces of evidence the “Burnt Building”, which has been accidentally or unexpectedly identified in the margins of High Mound’s during the ninth season of excavations at Chogha Mish. The most common analysis presented implies that the Building, which is not classified as an ordinary building in terms of dimensions and quality, is targeted and set on fire in hostile contact with the developing highland mobile pastoralist population. Therefore, this evidence attracted the attention of researchers as a turning point in the history of the Chogha Mish settlement development. Since someone has considered the beginning of this decline as the great fire in the building belonging to the Late Middle Susiana phase, it is reasonable to know that, what kind of characteristics the building has and if the presented evidence is indicative or not? Based on evidence from the deposits of the building can it be considered a Monumental Building? Given the existing archaeological evidence, we assume that the “inference” of the scholars has led to such a notion. Otherwise, we think the assumed decline of Chogha Mish may have various reasons. The new settlement configurations in the region which are fashioned by new economic and especially ritual practices may have led Chogha Mish to not be prosperous as before and left behind its counterparts.