نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
نویسندگان
1 دانشجوی دکتریگروه باستان‌شناسی، گروه باستان‌شناسی، دانشکدۀ علوم اجتماعی، دانشگاه محقق اردبیلی، اردبیل، ایران.
2 دانشیار گروه باستان‌شناسی، دانشکدۀ علوم اجتماعی، دانشگاه محقق اردبیلی، اردبیل، ایران (نویسندۀ مسئول).
3 دانشیار گروه هنر و معماری، دانشگاه پیام نور، تهران، ایران
4 کارشناس اداره کل میراث‌فرهنگی، صنایع‌دستی و گردشگری، استان کردستان، سنندج، ایران
5 دانشجوی دکتری باستان‌شناسی، گروه باستان‌شناسی، دانشکدۀ هنر و معماری، دانشگاه بوعلی‌سینا، همدان، ایران
چکیده
کلیدواژه‌ها
موضوعات
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
Abstract
Bijar County is situated in the eastern part of the Kurdistan Province and comprises three districts: Central, Cheng Almas, and Korani, along with 11 rural villages. This region is characterized by its location along the hills of western Iran, with approximately one-third of its territory being mountainous. Recent archaeological excavations conducted by the Cultural Heritage Organization of Kurdistan Province have uncovered artifacts spanning from prehistoric times to the Islamic era, including 71 sites attributed to the Iron Age. However, the cultural materials and distinctive features of the region remain inadequately understood and articulated. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the relationships between Iron Age settlements and geographical environmental factors, as well as the various types of livelihoods present. Data for this research is gathered through fieldwork, satellite imagery, GIS mapping, and library resources, and is analyzed using a descriptive-analytical approach. The study of Iron Age settlement patterns in Bijar focuses on aspects such as elevation, slope, access to water resources, and topographical features. The central research question is: What influence did environmental factors have on the establishment, distribution, and cultural interactions of Iron Age settlements in the Bijar area? By analyzing the data collected and generated through GIS mapping based on available information, the study aims to provide insights into this question. The predominant flat, mountainous, and semi-mountainous landscapes of the region have been utilized since the Iron Age; a period marked by significant enhancements in human adaptation to the natural environment. A critical inquiry arises regarding the processes of formation and distribution of sites, particularly in the northeast, central, and southwestern areas, which exhibit the highest population densities. Given the region’s defining characteristics—such as altitude, slope, water availability, and land utilization, most inhabitants reside at elevations below 2000 meters. These environmental conditions underpin the establishment of permanent settlements that rely on agriculture (both irrigated and rainfed), livestock rearing, and seasonal-nomadic lifestyles, leading to the development of herding practices.
Keywords: Bijar County, Iron Age, Settlement Patterns, Environmental Factors, Geographical Information System.
Introduction
The examination of settlement distribution and the influence of environmental factors has historically served as a foundation for understanding human habitation across different eras. The cultural development of each region has been shaped by more or less comparable geographic conditions throughout its history, and the human responses to these natural environments have exhibited notable parallels throughout history, despite existing differences. Key elements such as environmental conditions, climate, and the availability of natural resources played a crucial role in the establishment of both seasonal and permanent settlements in ancient locations. The Eastern Kurdistan region exhibits diverse capabilities owing to its numerous settlements and the presence of the Qezel Ozan River, the largest river in the area. The tributaries of this river originate from the elevated terrains of Eastern Kurdistan’s cities. The biological and geographical conditions in this region play a crucial role in shaping the characteristics of its settlement patterns. The significance of this topic lies in the archaeological surveys conducted in Bijar County, which have identified numerous Iron Age sites; however, the data pertaining to these sites remains inadequately recognized and analyzed. This raises several pertinent questions: How have environmental and geographical factors influenced the distribution of Iron Age sites in Bijar County? Furthermore, can the settlement patterns observed at these sites inform us about various modes of subsistence, including sedentary and nomadic lifestyles? The research hypothesis posits that key environmental factors, such as the sites’ locations in plains or foothills, proximity to water sources, and their elevation above mean sea level (AMSL), are fundamental to the formation and distribution of Iron Age sites in the region. This study employs archaeological surveys, data description and analysis, as well as the creation and interpretation of GIS maps.
Analysis of the Settlement Patterns
The selected sites underwent evaluation based on multiple criteria, including their elevation relative to sea level, distance from water sources, slope characteristics, their alignment with communication routes, land utilization in the vicinity, and overall area. Elevation was classified into three groups: sites under 1700 meters, those between 1700 and 2000 meters, and those from 2000 to 2500 meters. The first group contains 28% of the sites, primarily located in the northeastern part of Bijar County. The second group accounts for approximately 51% of the sites, while the third group includes 21%. In our examination of water resources, we provided an analysis grounded in the prevailing conditions. However, it is important to acknowledge that recent droughts, coupled with the increased reliance on wells and the construction of dams along river systems, have significantly diminished some of the previously available water resources. Current data indicates that over 54% of the sites are situated within 500 meters of water sources. Additionally, the topography of the areas was a critical factor in our analysis: 22.5% of the sites are on slopes of less than 5%, 62% are on slopes ranging from 5% to 10%, and 15.5% are located on slopes between 10% and 20%. The proximity of the sites to communication routes indicates that approximately 12.5% of the sites are situated within 1000 meters of the road. Furthermore, 28% of the sites are found at distances ranging from 1000 to 3000 meters, while 31% are located between 4000 and 9000 meters. Additionally, sites positioned between 10000 and 19000 meters account for another 28% of the total identified sites. Land use also warrants consideration, with 60% of the areas classified as suitable for agricultural purposes, while the remaining 40% are situated within pasture lands. The categorization of areas by size is a critical aspect of analyzing settlement patterns, revealing that 25% of the areas are less than half a hectare, 31% range from half to one hectare, 38% fall between 1 and 5 hectares, and approximately 5.5% exceed 5 hectares.
Conclusion
In the context of analyzing settlement patterns associated with Iron Age sites, identifying the key environmental factors is a primary objective of this study. The findings from various investigations reveal a direct link between the locations of Iron Age settlements and their environmental conditions. The presence of critical geographical elements, including the Ghezel Ozan River and its tributaries, significantly influences the spatial distribution of these sites. Within the Bijar region, which features predominantly uneven and elevated landscapes, the highest concentration of Iron Age settlements is found at intermediate altitudes. The existence of regions exceeding 2000 meters in elevation, often comprising small sites, highlights the significance of animal husbandry practices. These sites are typically situated in proximity to pastures. The settlement patterns observed in the Iron Age sites within Bijar reveal a diversity of human habitation types. There are small sites, generally occupying less than half a hectare, located at elevated altitudes and steep slopes, characterized by poor land quality. This category includes seasonal habitats with thin stratigraphic layers, some of which serve as independent cemeteries. In areas designated for dryland agriculture, the vegetation cover is moderate to good. Medium-sized sites, ranging from half a hectare to five hectares, exhibit a richer architectural record. Conversely, sites larger than five hectares are found in the plains’ central regions, where the agricultural land is more favorable, thus providing better communication opportunities.
کلیدواژه‌ها [English]
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