ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEYS OF ANAR COUNTY, KERMAN PROVINCE

Archaeological surveys are the first phase in archaeological studies. Identifying the historical works in a geographical area, in addition to knowing the historical-cultural evolutions of that area is also very important from the administrative and executive point of view in the face of construction plans, and urban and rural development. Having sufficient knowledge of the historical sites of a particular geographical area increases the possibility of preserving historical monuments in the face of construction projects. Kerman, the country's largest province, is located in the southeast of Iran. This province is considered one of the main historical-cultural centers and one of the richest archaeological regions of Iran. Due to the climatic and environmental diversity and the diversity of plant, animal, and human habitats, this region has attracted human groups since prehistoric times. Anar County in the north of Kerman province and adjacent to Yazd province is one of the driest and most desert parts of Kerman province where no coherent archaeological studies have been conducted before. In 2021, archaeological surveys of this city were conducted to complete the archaeological map of the country. During these surveys, 120 cultural-historical works were identified, of which the earliest works are related to the Epipalaeolithic period, and the latest works are related to the late Islamic era (Qajar/Pahlavi). The identified works are divided into 6 different groups including 6 sites, 49 aqueducts, 15 water structures, 7 religious buildings, 39 historical monuments, and 4 historical contexts. Among these findings, 17 works have been registered in the list of national works of Iran.