Analysis, Classification and Typology of Chalcolithic Pottery of Silakhor Plain-Borujerd

Silakhor plain in the north of Lorestan is one of the important areas of Central Zagros, which has many settlements related to the chalcolithic age. Investigations and studies conducted in this plain have so far shown 80 ancient sites related to the chalcolithic age. The data of this research was taken from the survey and identification that took place in 2005 in the Silakhor plain, as well as re-examination and supplementary survey of the authors from this. In this research, 51 representative pottery samples from the chalcolithic age pottery in the area of this site have been studied typologically. In this research an attempt has been made to answer the question that how the typological comparison of chalcolithic age pottery of Silakhor plain can be effective in regulating the chronology of the region. The typology and comparisons made in relation to the pottery of this period in the Silakhor plain show that the common pottery cultures of the chalcolithic age in this area are affected by the developments in the northern regions of Garin-Kouh and Sefid-Kouh (Kangavar Vally). Therefore, the chronology of Kangavar Vally in the chalcolithic can be extended to the Silakhor plain as well as on other hand, the typology of pottery types in this research can be effective in understanding the cultures late chalcolithic period and in the Bronze Age. The typological similarities of the chalcolithic pottery of the Silakhor plain with the pottery of the Godin III period show the chalcolithic and, consequently, the Bronze Age. After studies conducted on the collected pottery, 51 pottery samples, which were more representative, were separated and studied further. In this regard, we have tried to present at least one example of each pottery sample in this article. The collected samples represent that early, middle and late periods of the chalcolithic age in the Silakhor plain.
Keywords: Central Zagros, Silakhor Plain, Chalcolithic Age, Pottery Typology, Chronology.
 
Introduction
Silakhor is a relatively large plain located in Borujerd and Durud cities. The plain is one of the mountainous plains of the Central Zagros region, which is located at an average height of 1500 above sea level. The presence of abundant water resources and fertile soil has made us witness the existence of 80 ancient sites related to the chalcolithic period in the northern half of this plain (Broujerd), (Parviz, 2005). Despite the archaeological investigations and studies that have been conducted in this area in recent years, no targeted study has been conducted regarding the chalcolithic age of this area. In this research, an attempt has been made to analyze the situation of the chalcolithic age of this area through two data sources, the first source of data is related to the survey report that was carried out by Ahmad Parviz in 2005 from Borujerd city (Parviz, 2005). The second source of information is related to the re-examinations that the authors have made in relation to this research of the chalcolithic sites of this area. The purpose of these studies is to firstly examine the chronology of this area in the chalcolithic age based on the typology of the collected pottery and secondly to clarify the settlement status of Silakhor plain (Broujerd) in this period. In order to do this, the pottery findings collected after investigation and study have been separated and some of the representative samples have been presented and typified in this research. The purpose of this work was to outline the general chronology of the Silakhor plain in the chalcolithic age. After the studies conducted on the collected pottery, 51 the pottery samples, which were more representative, were separated and studied further. In this regard, we have tried to present at least on example of each pottery sample in this article. The collected samples represent the three periods of early, middle and late chalcolithic in Silakhor plain. In addition, the identified areas related to the chalcolithic age on GIS maps based on the geographic coordinates (UTM) registered by outputting from GIS software, it is determined how after each of these areas is from the nearest river, and their height compared to open water has Bern recorded. In this research, an attempt has been recorded. In this research, an attempt has been made to answer this question: How can the taxonomic comparison of chalcolithic age pottery and Silakhor plain be effective in regulating the chronology of this region?
 
Pottery Findings from the Main Areas of the Study Site
After examining the sites of the chalcolithic age of the Silakhor plain and collecting pottery related to this period, 51 representative pottery samples of this period were separated for comparison and typology. The purpose of doing this typology is to know the pottery cultures of the study area and also to check the chronology of this medium. From the point of view of typology, the pottery has been comparable with pottery of Kangavar Vally and Mahidasht in the three periods of the early, middle and late periods of the chalcolithic age. To analyze the pottery findings of this research, it is necessary to place the pottery in three periods: early, middle and late. In the chronology of the Kangavar and Mahidasht chalcolithic age each of the mentioned periods is known as Dalma, Sehgabi and Gobin VII and VI. Each of the mentioned periods has its own types of pottery. In this research, all types of common pottery in Kangavar and Mahidasht have not been seen; however, all the studied pottery of Silakhor plain are comparable with the pottery of mentioned northern regions. Undoubtedly, by conducting further investigations in Dilakhor plain, other common pottery can be seen in Kangavar and Mahidasht (Central Zagros) in the chalcolithic age.
 
Conclusion
The typology of the collected pottery (51pottery samples) showed that the common cultures in the Silakhor plain are the same as the common patterns of the northern regions in the Kangavar plain. Therefore, the chronology of Kangavar valley in the chalcolithic age in Silakhor plain can also be generalized. This can be recognized through the types of simple and engraved pottery presented in this research. Three types of pottery from Kangavar valley, Siah Bid and Jaghamaran have been seen among the pottery in Mahidasht. Therefore, it is possible to study the chalcolithic age in Silakhor plain in three periods: early, middle and late. The typological similarities of Silakhor plain pottery with other areas of Central Zagros indicate close connections between eastern Lorestan and the northern part of Central Zagros in the chalcolithic age. Part of these connections seems to be in the direction of the communication corridor that was formed on the northern slopes of Garin Mountain and on the edge of Gamasiab River, which connect the east of Lorestan, Kangavar and Mahidasht. Basically, in the central zeroes, the shape of the unevenness has been effective in the spread of cultures in prehistoric times. The existence of this communication path has undoubtedly had a significant impact on this cultural homogeneity in the chalcolithic age. The presence of various types of pottery in all three periods of the chalcolithic age also shows the continuity of settlement in the Silakhor plain. The homogeneities and similarities of Silakhor plain clay are cleanly evident in the early (Dalma) middle (Sehgabi) and late (Godin VII) chalcolithic age.