| چکیده انگلیسی مقاله |
Qarehdagh region and Ahar city, which is located in East Azerbaijan (northwest of Iran), has different ancient sites and cultures. Archaeological studies and chronological table of northwest of Iran have been formed mostly based on archaeological data of the Urmia Lake Basin and extended to other regions of northwest of Iran and the position of other regions, including Qarahdagh region unknown in its cultural sequence remains. Since this area is located among the South Caucasus region, Moghan plain and the Lake Urmia basins of and Ghezel Ozan, it can play an important role in explaining and distinguishing the Neolithic, Chalcolithic periods of the region. And together with the comparison and analysis of recently obtained archaeological data of the region, present a relatively novel result. In order to understand the prehistoric cultures of the region (cultural periods), the following questions are raised: 1- How the chronological sequence of this region is explained according to cultural periods? The main hypothesis related to this question is the existence of Late Neolithic periods and Late Chalcolithic 2-3 (LC2-3) in the Ahar basin; 2- Which cultural features are understood from the common and uncommon cultural elements links (cultural interactions) of the northwest of Iran, including the Moghan plain and the other regions in terms of archaeological data and chronology of the mentioned periods? The present study has been carried out using descriptive-analytical study of archaeological data and data collection is based on field surveys and library studies with the aim of clarifying cultural horizons, the period of residence in the sites and completing the chronological table of the area. As a final point, it can be said that the pottery of the mentioned periods shows similarities with other regions of northwest of Iran, especially with the Urmia Lake basin. Due to the vast dimensions of the studied sites and other archaeological data, it is inferred that the settlements were seasonal and probably used limited by ranchers and nomadic communities.Keywords: Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Chronology, Pottery, Qarehdagh, Ahar, Northwest of Iran. IntroductionThe northwest of Iran, due to its suitable environmental conditions and special location, has a sequence of settlements from prehistoric to Islamic periods. Identifying archaeological cultures, settlement sequences of different geographic regions and introducing as the archaeological community seems necessary (Bakhtiari et al., 2019: 8). This part of Iran has a special place in archaeological studies, due to its proximity to important cultural areas such as the Caucasus, Anatolia, Zagros, and Mesopotamia regions. In the meantime, northwest of Iran (Azerbaijan) is alone an important cultural and geographic area in Iranian plateau during the prehistoric time of Iran (Talaei, 2011: 64-63).The main objectives of this study include: the survey and study of the role of the northwest of Iran in Neolithic, and Chalcolithic periods, comparison of its cultural data with neighboring regions, and the study of regional and transregional interactions and presenting a chronological framework. The beginning and the end of the Neolithic period varies in different regions of Iran and considering the heterogeneous climatic situation, and due to recent published studies in the other parts of the northwest of Iran, in addition to the Lake Urmia basin whose chronology is the basis of the chronology of the northwest of Iran, it is necessary to revise the chronological table of the area. Regarding to some archeological ambiguities and questions, this area was selected as an important area for studying. These questions are related to the relative chronology of the study area in the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods; 1- How to explain the chronological sequence of this geographic area in the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods? The main hypothesis related to this question is the existence of Late Neolithic periods and Late Chalcolithic 2-3 periods in Ahar city; 2- what are the cultural features of common and uncommon connections (cultural interactions) of this region from the northwest of Iran with Moghan region and other parts in terms of archaeological data and chronology of the mentioned periods? The hypothesis that can be presented on this question is that, based on the performed studies, this cultural area shows connections and commonalities with the Moghan region and especially with the Urmia Lake basin based on archaeological data. Archaeological EvidencesThe pottery of 5 areas related to the Neolithic period of Ahar region, are handmade with vegetable temper, incomplete baking in the range of pea, red, gray, and brick colors. But most pottery are in red, pea, and brick colors. The pottery of this period is often vacuous and most of them are simple, although pottery with black geometric patterns with a dark red coating can be seen among the pottery fragments. Geometric patterns are comparable with Haji Firuoz patterns that among them comb decorations can be seen. According to the form of utensils, potteries are related to shallow utensils such as bowls, cups, as well as short-necked jars and inverted edges. This type of pottery is obtained from most of Neolithic sites in the northwest of Iran and the South Caucasus. As a result of archaeological surveys in Ahar area, a total of 10 sites related to the Late Neolithic period and Late Chalcolithic 2-3 were identified. The relative chronology of these sites has been estimated based on the study of pottery samples and their comparison with samples obtained from the scientific excavations. Accordingly, the 5 identified and introduced areas of the Chalcolithic period are related to the Late Chalcolithic 2-3 period. According to the preliminary study of pottery and their comparison in terms of form, pattern, coating, and etc. with other areas, all the obtained potteries are related to the Late Chalcolithic 2-3 period / Chaff Faced Ware (CFW). The potteries of this period are both handmade and wheel-made and has vegetable temper and minerals. ConclusionsArchaeological evidences suggest that the settlements were seasonal, short-lived, and probably used by ranchers and nomadic communities of the Late Chalcolithic period. It is worth to note that in the Late Chalcolithic period, we are witnessing an increase in settlements and population both in the northwest of Iran and in the Caucasus region. Based on the studies and the obtained data from the Ahar area and neighboring regions, the prehistoric situation of the region is clarified to some of extent and determines both the completion of the chronological table and the dispersion and expansion of the areas of the mentioned periods. According to the cultural and chronological sequences, the Qara Dagh region can be divided into the Late Neolithic/Transitional Chalcolithic periods (5400-5000 BC) and the Late Chalcolithic 2-3 period according to the chronologies of Kul Tepe Jolfa and Dava Göz Khoy (3600/3700-4200 BC). Considering to this fact that the Nakhchivani group, whose samples were obtained both from Kul Tepe Jolfa (Trench IV) and also from the South Caucasus geographic area, can be thought as a reason for considering the pottery data of the Late Chalcolithic 3 period in the Kura Araxes I period. |