Spatial-Environmental Analysis of the Iron Age Settlements in Highland Zagros: Laran County, Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari

Suitable climatic conditions in Laran county, including permanent water resources, relatively fertile soil, connecting routes and suitable vegetation cover have provided good conditions to settle various groups of human from past up to now.

This study aims at identifying and analyzing the settlement patterns and determining the influence of environmental factors in the creation of Iron Age sites. The current research is carried out using descriptive-analytical methods, i.e. correlation and cluster analysis methods in GIS and SPSS environments to show the role of natural factors in the formation of sites and their distribution patterns in different parts of Laran.

Different geographical impact on the formation of the sites was in favor of temporary settlements and nomadism. Three settlement patterns were identified in this region mainly areas smaller than half a hectare.

the Iron Age sites of Laran County had little dependence on natural resources, probably due to the pastoral and nomadic subsistence pattern. Two settlement patterns have been detected in this region indicating husbandry and agricultural activities in a small scale.