Prehistoric of Urmia Lake Basin Approaches and Challenges

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Binandeh Ali

Title

Prehistoric of Urmia Lake Basin Approaches and Challenges

Author(s)

Binandeh Ali | Issue Writer Certificate

Keywords

HasanluQ4

PrehistoryQ4

Urmia Lake BasinQ4

Archeology of Northwest IranQ4

Abstract

Hasanlu, Prehistory, Urmia Lake Basin, Archeology of Northwest IranThanks to its copious water resources, fertile soil, diverse vegetation and animal species, and rich pastures, the Lake Urmia Basin held a special allure to different human groups since Prehistory, thus the emergence of several rich cultures in the region. The most important archeological activities in the region began with the Hasanlu project led by Robert Dyson. The chronological framework for Urmia Lake Basin stems from Dyson’s pioneer survey and excavation which led to the presentation of archaeology from prehistoric to the Middle Islamic Ages. After the closure of the Hasanlu project, it was expected that this research by Iranian archaeologists would continue regularly to complete and correct possible mistakes of the Hasanlu project, which unfortunately did not materialize. However, on a case-by-case basis, some researchers have taken steps that have failed, largely for administrative and different reasons. In the last decade, with the construction of several dams, especially in the south of Lake Urmia, there was a good opportunity for archaeological studies to continue in the form of salvage excavations. Although relatively good results were obtained, unfortunately, this opportunity was not well exploited and apparently, the priority of these studies was not to resolve the ambiguities of the chronological issue of the lake basin. However, this area has had close connections with neighboring areas in prehistoric periods, Still has much dark prehistoric of the region, and in some periods, how the cultural evolution compared to the surrounding regions, which have relatively similar or at least contemporary cultures, we know much less. Probably the main reason is the lack of studies on various prehistoric periods. Fundamental methodical investigations and the proper use of the opportunity for rescue explorations can be helpful. Perhaps it can be said, the achievement of recent years of archaeological studies of prehistoric periods of Lake Urmia, most identify different cultural periods until to recognize its various dimensions. Unfortunately, the opportunity for salvage excavations was not well used.Keywords: Hasanlu, Prehistory, Urmia Lake Basin, Archeology of Northwest Iran. IntroductionThe chronological framework for Urmia Lake Basin stems from Dyson’s pioneer survey and excavation work carried out in Solduz plain. Hasanlu project continued until the Iranian revolution. Cultural sequence for Northwestern Iran, especially south of Urmia Lake Basin, based on a series of stratigraphic sounding at Hasanlu itself, confirmed and extended by overlapping sequences from the other excavated sites. In general, the oldest traces of human settlement in the region date to the Paleolithic, and include caves and open-air sites south and west of Lake Urmia. Neolithic period sites in the east and south of Lake Urmia were excavated by the Hasanlu team. Yanik Tapeh and Hajji Firuz are two important sites for this period, of course, the main occupation site is Hajji Firuz. Yanik Tapeh dates as early as 6000 BC. Dalma pottery is the characteristic of the early Chalcolithic in the main sequence at Ḥasanlu Tepe and has been found in other sites in the Urmia Lake Basin. Hasanlu VIII parallel whit the late Ubaid and suggested mid-5th millennium B.C. for this period. The end of the Chalcolithic period date to the first half of the 4thmillennium BC, evidence in the Urmia Lake Basin reported from Yanik, Geoy Tape, and Gijlar. Hasanlu VII divided some sub-level, which can be linked to Early Trans-Caucasian II-III in the north of the Urmia basin. After the Hasanlu project, no similar studies were conducted and, except for a few cases, no long-term excavations were carried out. In recent years, with the construction of several dams in this basin, the number of salvage excavations has increased significantly and was a good opportunity for questions and ambiguities of past research, especially Hasanlu. The Chronology and prehistoric developments of this basin have ambiguities and unknowns that require fundamental research. For this research, first, the publications related to this basin and library resources have been collected and the previous chronological framework of the study and then the previous and current field activities have been analyzed in the form of a research plan and salvage excavations. DiscussionThe chronological framework of the Urmia Lake Basin is still owed to the Hasanlu project’s excavations in the area around the lake. Although traces of different Paleolithic periods have been identified in recent years, and some previous theories have been seriously challenged, unfortunately, no excavations have been carried out in the sites of this period, and based on surface findings have been attributed to the Paleolithic period. In the Neolithic period, most of our knowledge is related to the late Neolithic and we do not know much about the pre-pottery Neolithic and early Neolithic. In the basin of Lake Urmia, the existence of early Neolithic periods is not far from expected. As mentioned above Jolbar, Ahrendjan, and Qreh Tepe the sites are already known for the Neolithic period. Unfortunately, the scale of the excavations in these sites is not wide, and not much information has been published. However, new studies show that in the basin there are settlements older than Hajji Firuz.There are different views on how to Neolithic was transferred to Chalcolithic, and although there is no more talk of a gap of several hundred years between the two periods, and there is no reliable knowledge about the process and its quality, and the new information is more than stratigraphic explorations until extensive excavations, and of course, this issue is relatively similar for most of the Chalcolithic phases. The situation in the fourth and late fourth millennium is not very clear and there are differences in different parts so that in some parts of it, there is evidence of Uruk culture, in another place, Kura–Araxes culture, and sometimes pottery of Hassan Ali type can be seen. And in areas such as the north of the Zab basin, there are evidences of these cultures together. Which perhaps indicates the boundaries of the influence of these traditions in the fourth millennium BC. Conclusion Hasanlu Sequence became one of the main chronological periodizations for the northwestern part of Iran. It spans the Pottery Neolithic to the Iron Age, although the excavations of Hasanlu and its surrounding sites has provided very good information. But there are still questions and uncertainties in many periods.The more prehistoric settlements were situated on passes at Zagros Mountain between northwestern Iran and north Mesopotamia. Although on the other side of Zagros, in Iraqi Kurdistan the sites such as Jarmo, Hassuna, Shemshara, and Bestnsur belonged to from pre-pottery Neolithic to late Neolithic. In Urmia Lake Basin pre-pottery Neolithic site was not reported until now. However, sometimes the climate conditions are mentioned for the lack of settlements for some periods. Probably the main reason is the lack of studies on various prehistoric periods. Perhaps it can be said, the achievement of recent years of archaeological studies of prehistoric periods of Lake Urmia, Most identify different cultural periods until to recognize its various dimensions. Unfortunately, the opportunity for salvage excavations was not well used. Future research should be aimed at addressing current defects. A long-term plan should be prepared for different parts of the Lake Urmia basin and implemented continuously every year. AcknowledgmentI would like to thanks Bu-Ali Sina University, West Azerbaijan Cultural Heritage Organization and Iranian Center for Archaeological Research.

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ISSN: 2588-4824

Journal Paper

Prehistoric of Urmia Lake Basin Approaches and Challenges