Bu Ali Sina University Archaeological Research of Iran 2345-5225 8 17 2018 08 23 A Comparative Study of the Regional and Trans-regional Interactions from the Late Middle Susiana to the Period of the Terminal Susa A Based on the Discovered Ceramics of Tepe Sanjar, Khuzestan A Comparative Study of the Regional and Trans-regional Interactions from the Late Middle Susiana to the Period of the Terminal Susa A Based on the Discovered Ceramics of Tepe Sanjar, Khuzestan 45 64 2390 10.22084/nbsh.2017.7421.1316 FA Bijan Bajoorvand M.A. Graduated in Archaeology, Univeristy of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran. Mehdi Mortazavi Associate Professor, Department of Archaeology, Archaeological Sciences Research Center, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran. Alireza Sardary Zarchi Assistant Professor, Iranian Archaeological Research Center (ICAR). Journal Article 2015 06 14 In this Article, the prehistoric ceramics obtained from two seasons of excavation at Tepe Sanjar of Khuzestan are studied to gain a deeper understanding of a mechanism of intercommunication. Two aims of This research are to determine the manner of communication between this site with the important and contemporaneous settlements such as Chogha Mish, Jafarabad, Bandebal and Susa in the Susiana plain firstly, and secondly is to identify this connection between these neighbouring regions in a broader landscape that these areas such as Deh Luran, Bakhtiari Mountain, Fars and Central Zagros are geographically connected to this plain. The period of time that is shown by the ceramics occurred among the middle of the fifth millennium until the early fourth millennium B.C. These ages are known for the periods of development and changing patterns of communication of Susiana inhabitants from the lowlands of Mesopotamia towards the Iranian highland plateau. In regional comparison, it was clear that the painted ceramics of late middle Susiana phase have no earlier traces in older phases of Susiana plain, and from the beginning of this phase, they can be seen in all three sites compared with Senjar ceramics widely and steadily. In the Trans-Regional scale, it was proven that the paints on this phase’s pottery were also seen in the older phases of Deh Luran such as Khazine and Mehme, so they probably penetrated from this region into the Susiana plain, Fars, Bakhtiari Mountains and South areas of Central Zagros. In Late Susiana 1 phase, Bandebal is the only site in the Susiana plain that had pottery findings comparable to the pottery of Tepe Senjar at this age. In Trans-Regional comparisons, it was illustrated that the distribution of potteries of Late Susiana1 phase are more than the previous phase; thus, in Gap phase of Fars, Farokh phase of Deh Luran, Godin IX phase of Central Zagros, and Middle phase of Middle chalcolithic period of Bakhtiari Mountains show the similar cases with the potteries of Late Susiana 1 pottery and so, this study is aiming to establish a pattern of potteries in trans-regional terms. Having scarce similarities with the Susiana plain in Late middle Susiana phase, the northern and western parts of Central Zagros has revealed more connections in this phase. In the phase of Late Susiana 2 in all of four areas, there were more resemblances in the paints and shapes of pottery with Susiana plain. In this period, these interregional interactions have two aspects: this process between Susiana and Deh Luran and Bakhtiari Mountain is decreased and this connection between Susiana and Central Zagros and Fars is increased. Also, the elements of local traditions can be seen in the phase of Terminal Susa A. The Pottery styles in layers 23 and 24 at Acropole area of Susa represented a close relation with Sanjar pottery in terms of texture and shape of their wares. In this aspect, the period of Lapui in the region of Fars had the most relationships with Sanjar potteries, especially according to their shapes. In the area of Deh Luran and Zagros, potteries with the temper of grit and flora are different than the Sanjar potteries that are dissimilar in their textures and compounds; althought there are more similarities between these potteries and Sanjar potteries. The regional comparisons of potteries findings of Tepe Sanjar with the other regions of Susiana plain during the Late middle Susiana to terminal Susa A Period show many similarities and equalities between their cultures that in four phases were investigated. In the interregional scales, the four regions that are Fars, Bakhtiari Highlands, Central Zagros and Deh luran are compared; hence, Fars in every one of their sub-phases including Bakun B2, Gap, Bakun A and Lapoui showed the most cultural interactions with Sanjar potteries, and this matter indicates that the late prehistoric periods of this region had a fundamental role in creating a complicated network of cultural, economic and political relationships with Susiana plain. In this Article, the prehistoric ceramics obtained from two seasons of excavation at Tepe Sanjar of Khuzestan are studied to gain a deeper understanding of a mechanism of intercommunication. Two aims of This research are to determine the manner of communication between this site with the important and contemporaneous settlements such as Chogha Mish, Jafarabad, Bandebal and Susa in the Susiana plain firstly, and secondly is to identify this connection between these neighbouring regions in a broader landscape that these areas such as Deh Luran, Bakhtiari Mountain, Fars and Central Zagros are geographically connected to this plain. The period of time that is shown by the ceramics occurred among the middle of the fifth millennium until the early fourth millennium B.C. These ages are known for the periods of development and changing patterns of communication of Susiana inhabitants from the lowlands of Mesopotamia towards the Iranian highland plateau. In regional comparison, it was clear that the painted ceramics of late middle Susiana phase have no earlier traces in older phases of Susiana plain, and from the beginning of this phase, they can be seen in all three sites compared with Senjar ceramics widely and steadily. In the Trans-Regional scale, it was proven that the paints on this phase’s pottery were also seen in the older phases of Deh Luran such as Khazine and Mehme, so they probably penetrated from this region into the Susiana plain, Fars, Bakhtiari Mountains and South areas of Central Zagros. In Late Susiana 1 phase, Bandebal is the only site in the Susiana plain that had pottery findings comparable to the pottery of Tepe Senjar at this age. In Trans-Regional comparisons, it was illustrated that the distribution of potteries of Late Susiana1 phase are more than the previous phase; thus, in Gap phase of Fars, Farokh phase of Deh Luran, Godin IX phase of Central Zagros, and Middle phase of Middle chalcolithic period of Bakhtiari Mountains show the similar cases with the potteries of Late Susiana 1 pottery and so, this study is aiming to establish a pattern of potteries in trans-regional terms. Having scarce similarities with the Susiana plain in Late middle Susiana phase, the northern and western parts of Central Zagros has revealed more connections in this phase. In the phase of Late Susiana 2 in all of four areas, there were more resemblances in the paints and shapes of pottery with Susiana plain. In this period, these interregional interactions have two aspects: this process between Susiana and Deh Luran and Bakhtiari Mountain is decreased and this connection between Susiana and Central Zagros and Fars is increased. Also, the elements of local traditions can be seen in the phase of Terminal Susa A. The Pottery styles in layers 23 and 24 at Acropole area of Susa represented a close relation with Sanjar pottery in terms of texture and shape of their wares. In this aspect, the period of Lapui in the region of Fars had the most relationships with Sanjar potteries, especially according to their shapes. In the area of Deh Luran and Zagros, potteries with the temper of grit and flora are different than the Sanjar potteries that are dissimilar in their textures and compounds; althought there are more similarities between these potteries and Sanjar potteries. The regional comparisons of potteries findings of Tepe Sanjar with the other regions of Susiana plain during the Late middle Susiana to terminal Susa A Period show many similarities and equalities between their cultures that in four phases were investigated. In the interregional scales, the four regions that are Fars, Bakhtiari Highlands, Central Zagros and Deh luran are compared; hence, Fars in every one of their sub-phases including Bakun B2, Gap, Bakun A and Lapoui showed the most cultural interactions with Sanjar potteries, and this matter indicates that the late prehistoric periods of this region had a fundamental role in creating a complicated network of cultural, economic and political relationships with Susiana plain. https://nbsh.basu.ac.ir/article_2390_999600eb275cc7196161261972daa59b.pdf