The Iron Age Graveyard’s of Aseman Abad Intermountain Plain, Ilam Province in Central Zagros

The Iron Age in the Central Zagros is contemporaneous by Assyrians, Kassite’s states, and other tribes and their presence in this area.  Archaeological studies of this period, almost regardless of the presence of these States or groups, have only studied graveyards and burial methods and other findings from them. However, archaeological evidence and reliefs obtained from this area along with Assyrian cuneiform tablets show the strong presence of Assyrians and Kassites. However, this issue has received less attention in Iron Age studies, The Aseman-Abad intermountain plain is no exception. Despite being difficult to cross and its small area, this area is significant in terms of archaeological data of this period, because it is the link between the northern regions to southern regions of Central Zagros. In the survey of this area, several graveyards’ belonging to the Iron Age I-III were identified and surveyed. The study of the findings and works of these graveyard’s shows that they belong to semi-nomadic or nomadic groups that have been created near or along the banks of Aseman-Abad Rivers. The study, analysis, and comparison of the architecture of the tombs as well as the surface pottery of these graveyard’s, in addition to clarifying the situation of this region in the Iron Age, shows this era with other areas of the Central Zagros have a relationship and homogeneity. On the other hand, some pottery evidence indicates the presence of Kassite in this area after returning from Mesopotamia.