Reevaluating the Relative and Absolute Chronological Framework of Neolithic Rural Settlements in the Alvand Mountain Range and Malayer Plain (Insights from C14 Dating of Tapeh Posht-e Foroudgah)

Author

Assistant Professor, Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran

Abstract

The interplay between chronology and the reassessment of both relative and absolute dating methods is a fundamental aspect of archaeological research. A significant focus within Iranian archaeology pertains to the central Zagros region, particularly the southern slopes of the Alvand mountain range and the Malayer plain. This area has attracted the attention of international archaeologists since the 1990s and continues to be a subject of study. The Malayer plain stands out as a crucial prehistoric cultural zone within Hamadan province, characterized by the presence of key archaeological sites from various periods, thereby contributing to the scholarly discourse surrounding Central Zagros archaeology. This region possesses absolute dating for certain historical epochs, particularly during the Chalcolithic period. In contrast, earlier historical phases, such as the initial rural settlements, have been documented through relative dating methods. Consequently, establishing an absolute chronology is crucial and serves as the primary objective of this article. This study aims to provide a more definitive chronological framework for the 6th millennium BC within this cultural area by utilizing C14 dating provided by the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, thereby enhancing the reliability of the timeline previously inferred from pottery assemblages. The primary focus of this research is the chronological framework of Tapeh Posht-e Foroudgah, with a critical examination of the established chronology in the region as delineated by Godin’s sequence. A central inquiry emerges regarding the relative dating of the earliest human settlements in the Malayer plain, particularly through the lens of “pottery traditions.” To address this, it is essential to evaluate how existing theories align with the absolute dating findings that have been reported. As a result, the research suggests that the C14 dating samples collected from the lower layers of Tapeh Posht-e Foroudgah indicate that the previous relative dating is largely valid, while the new findings show only a slight deviation from the established theories and dates. The research methodology employed in this article is qualitative, utilizing an analytical historical approach complemented by the laboratory technique of C14 dating. The findings reveal the existence of human societies dating back to the sixth millennium BC, specifically within the calibrated timeframe of 5216-4994 BC, which corresponds to the “late Sarab” cultural horizon.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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pazhoheshha-ye Bastan shenasi Iran
Volume 14, Issue 41
English Articles
September 2024
Pages 69-95

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