Hajilerchai region is located in Varzeqan city of East Azerbaijan province, Iran. Archaeological surveys of the area were conducted to clarify the settlement landscape of the area. A total of thirty sites were identified in the area. There are two bronze age sites identified by means of an archaeological surface survey in the region. Hajilarchai area of Varzeqan is one of the lesserknown parts, about which archeological research has not been done so far. This study was first conducted by field research. Then, using the GIS maps, the exact landscape of the area was determined, and the settlement patterns were explained. In this study, in addition to general characteristics and pathology, each site was introduced separately, presenting the area's settlement pattern. With a descriptive-analytical approach, this research tried to answer how the settlement patterns have changed in different historical periods. With the beginning of the historical and Islamic period, especially the Parthian period, the region has enjoyed certain prosperity and development. This study showed that most of the ancient sites along the Hajilerchai River are located at the tributaries of the Aras River, and environmental conditions and proximity to the river have played an essential role in establishing settlements.

Zanjan province, especially Abhar Rud basin, located in the middle of three cultural-geographical zones of the central plateau, west and northwest of Iran, is an important but unknown region as far as archeological studies are concerned. Climatic features, unique geographical situation and the exceptional location of the region on the natural pathway from the central plateau to northwest of Iran, have made this region attractive to all human groups from very old times. The geographical situation and location clearly explains why Abhar Rud basin is significant in archeological studies of Iran. However, we have little information on the changes that the region has undergone during prehistoric eras and about its relations with other cultural regions. Therefore, doing archeological researches, especially regional surveys, seem necessary. Knowing about the settlements pattern of the region can help us understand the interactions between this region and its neighboring cultural geographical regions. Thus archeological surveys in the basin were carried out in two seasons between the years of 1382 and 1384. The surveys provided us with valuable information about the history of the settlements in the region. Here we will present the results of the archeological surveys carried out in the region and we will try to analyze them.

From the earliest period of deployment, Yazd-Ardakan plain had any natural choices for suitable living area from the point of view of its locating geographic. The main reasons for this are the limited availability of biological resources such as permanent waterrs and climatic conditions in the plain due to its geographical location. The method of research in this article is organized in the form of field researchs and documents in the form of related maps and diagrams. The most important goals of this paper are to present a settlement patterns based on climate, geography and ecology. The basic question of this research is based on this issue that formation of this city as one of the oldest settlements in Yazd-Ardakan plain was the result of interactions between man and his environment. In this paper, by using of archeological field studies and evaluating geographic and geomorphological components such as the diversity of water resources (ancient canals and technology of the Qanat), the slope and elevation of the earth and the geological facts of the Meybod plain showed that the formation of the Meybod has been possible in the area of plains with clay beds From prehistory till now. In the prehistoric period and before the introduction of canal technology, these settlements are formed seasonal and without permanent establishment beside the terraces of the villages of Barjin-Bideh. After familiarizing with Qanat technology, these settlements can be permanently maintained in the form of a modern city.

Due to its coincidence with developments in the early urbanization era the Bronze Age has gained a special status in Iranian archaeological studies. The important point is that the influence or all these developments throughout the Iranian Plateau has not been the same despite the emergence or writing in Southwest Iran and we don't have much information about the impact or local or influential foreign cultures un this phenomenal. Thanks to their geographical situation and sufficient environmental resources. The central Zagros region and the Nahavand Plain arc considered a key element in studying the rout causes or the phenomenon. The Yanik culture has round its was into this area through Northwest Iran. But we are not aware or its geographical expansion as well as or its relation to Mesopotamia and Southwest Iran. The God in III culture which was named alter Godin Tappch an area in the Kangavar Plain has affected the central Zagros region immediately alter the Yanik culture and these influences have lasted for around one thousand years now. A survey conducted in the Nahavand Plain in 2005 showed that 16 of a total or 36 inspected sites. Dating back to the Chalcholithic up to the Islamic period represented the local characteristics or the Bronze Age. They have been classified as God in IV (early Bronze Age) and God in III (Middle and Late Bronze Age). Based on the common characteristics or the documents obtained. The present article deals with the local distribution patterns or the Bronze Age by analyzing the archaeological data.

In archaeological studies of the region of Southwest Asia, during the period from the late fourth millennium BC to the beginning of the Iron Age (second half of the second millennium BC), phenomena such as the growth of settlements in terms of area and population, the emergence of early cities, Trans-regional trade, the formation of government institutions, the emergence and spread of gray and black pottery, extensive changes in technology and the dramatic development of the smelting industry and the use of bronze tools were identified. In this process, an extensive communication network aimed at controlling trade routes and access to raw materials across the plateau by land and sea connected many areas. Economically, in this era, trans-regional trade was established, and communities were connected thousands of miles away from home to obtain the resources they needed. Bronze Age cultures are well known in the most part of Iran but Khorasan is an except and the data are rare and insufficient. Moreover, information about chronology, and distribution of sites during different periods of prehistoric times in different parts of them is very limited. In this research, 38 sites from the Bronze Age period have been studied. These sites were identified in the form of archaeological surveys of the Upper and Middle Atrak during the last decade. This study was done using descriptiveanalytic method. For data analysis, GIS and SPSS software, and Correlation and Cluster analysis methods were used. Settlement pattern in the Upper and Middle Atrak basin is similar. It consists of two-level models with large site and a number of small sites around it. The results of this study indicate that due to the lack of water resources in the region, access to the constant water resources is the most important factor in shaping the Bronze age Settlemens. Most sites are also formed during the Early Bronze Age, and we are faced a decrease in the number of sites in the Middle and Late Bronze Age.

The western side of the Karkheh River Basin, situated to the west of Greater Susiana, adjacent to the central Susiana plain, lies along a desert-plain ecotone. This ecological zone benefits from a range of environmental resources, including the fertile lands of the Karkheh River Basin, streams, and pastures. It also encompasses settlements dating from the prehistoric, historic, and Islamic periods. The present study seeks to analyze the fundamental environmental and archaeological data from this western side of this region. By offering a comprehensive characterization of settlement patterns during the Village Period, this research aims to explore how dynamic landscape changes influenced these patterns throughout the period under investigation. Through an assessment of settlement configurations across various prehistoric periods, the study will present concrete examples to support a proposed definition of the settlement system in the region. To achieve this, identified settlements will be examined in relation to the distribution and extent of material culture and a chronological framework will be established for each geographical unit. Furthermore, by evaluating the environmental capacities of these units, the research will determine whether the settlement organization during each period can be characterized as centralized, or whether settlement formation followed a more decentralized pattern. Finally, the impact of landscape transformations on the regional settlement system will be analyzed by comparing reconstructed past landscapes to their present state.

Interpretation of human’ s old behaviors in the past and paying attention to complex and interactive processes between humans and the environment to be understood in terms of their dependence on the components of the natural and ecological environment is the center of modern archaeology’ s attention. Archaeological surveys and analysis of settlement patterns are considered well-known methods in archaeology to help identify these interactive processes. With the studies of the Archaeological Board of the University of Pennsylvania on Hasanlu Hill and the Sandus Plain, the southern basin of Lake Urmia became one of the most important archaeological sites and a basis for chronology in northwestern Iran. Meanwhile, Piranshahr plain on one hand due to its proximity toHasanlu area in the north and Rabat area in the south and on the other hand due to the neighborhood of this area with great powers such as Assyria, Urartu and Mana in the first half of the first millennium BC, Is one of the important areas in terms of archaeological studies of the Iron Age in northwestern Iran. This study examined the Piranshahr plain, assuming that the Iron Age settlements of the Piranshahr plain follow a specific settlement pattern. In this research, using field and library studies and geographical analysis models, a methodical and appropriate interpretation of the distribution of Iron Age areas and the first millennium BCPiranshahr plain was presented. Studies have shown that the Iron Age settlements in the region are most affected by two geographical factors, altitude from sea surface and access to rivers, and this has led to the creation of linear networks in the course of rivers resulting to a suitable choice of height relating to the plain. It was also found that the Iron Age settlements of this plain, following the shape of the roughness and natural geography of the region in the first half of the first millennium BC, by creating a specific settlement hierarchy, tended to form an independent local political unit. The existence of this political unit in modern Assyrian writings as Xubuskie could be identified.

Sarayan region is one of the most studied areas of South Khorasan Archaeology in recent years which has not been many studies. This area comprises two parts from landscape: mountainous and plain. These parts have provided environmentally favorable locations for settlements formation in past. As the formation of early settlements have always been dependent to environmental factors. one of these approaches in archeological studies is the study of the settlement pattern and analysis investigating the formation process of archeological sites in environmental contexts. It seems human interactions with the environment in the South Plain of Sarayan causing a distinct landscape. Information and awareness of settlement pattern of area could improve the perception of its cultural landscapes. In the past, this kind of analysis was done through traditional methods but nowadays analysis of settlement pattern is done by different software like ArcGIS that results in real and accurate information. The present study investigates 16 settlements of the Chalcolithic and Bronze ages in Sarayan region that were identified in archaeological survey of Sarayan. This research studies the settlement pattern recognition of the pre-historic period in this region for the first time. The most important questions are how settlements are formed in the region and factors affecting settlements formation during the Chalcolithic and Bronze ages. Therefore, first, were performed typological comparison of the data and the settlements chronological then, GIS software was used to analyze and identify settlement patterns of Sarayan area with various factors of natural and human geography. Accordingly, various variables were analyzed such as precipitation, rivers and environmental contexts. These analyzes showed that different variables have an important influence on the settlements formation. These variables include elevation code, temperature status, access to permanent water sources. Even the number of sites have been created on the border of permanent rivers in this region. Introduction The interaction between human and her surrounding environment creates cultural landscapes in nature. It is a reciprocal relationship. The environment forms the basis of culture by its capabilities and limitations and cultures adapt to the environment by using environmental features and overcome environmental constraints and lead to the formation of landscape in environmental contexts. Influence of human on the natural environment has always provided a spatial distinction in terms of population and habitat density and it has caused the formation of specific patterns of habitation in different ancient periods. The interaction in between human and environment is important in settlement pattern discussion, as human and environmental conditions have influenced each other in a same place; In other words, human has changed the environment to his advantage as much as affected by the environmental factors. This effect has made some changes in the environment and human behavior. What we know as culture – the human distinctive feature-is the result of this adaptation and behavior basically. The interaction between human being and environment either in the form of human effect on the environment or the environment effect on the human, cannot be considered out of the environment. Khorasan province which is located among the cultural area of southwestern central Asia, northeastern of central plateau and northeastern Iran is one of the unexplored but important regions in archaeological investigation in Iran. Sarayan region is one of the most studied areas of South Khorasan archaeology in recent years which has not been many studies. Sarayan region is located in North West South Khorasan relatively cool climate and the mountain. Plains and mountains around the Sarayan have been quite capable of living in different moments of human life. Surveys accomplished in this area show that happened the peak of progress and cultural development in the fourth and third millennium BC. Research Questions: The most important questions are how settlements are formed in the region and factors affecting settlements formation during the Chalcolithic and Bronze ages. Research Hypotheses: These analyzes showed that different variables have an important influence on the settlements formation. These variables include elevation code, temperature status, access to permanent water sources. Even the number of sites have been created on the border of permanent rivers. Research Method The method of collecting data are field and libraries. Therefore, first, were performed typological comparison of the data and the settlements chornological then, GIS software was used to analyze and identify settlement patterns of Sarayan area with various factors of natural and human geography. Discussion Archaeological survey of central district of Sarayan started in 2011. In this study were discovered different sites from pre-historic to contemporary period. Most of these sites are related from the 4th to 2th millennium BC. Generally, the distribution of these settlements is due to geographical and human factors. In fact, geography has been influenced in all stages of life of human societies. Another factor is the human factor. In fact, the purpose of the human factor is both nomadic and sedentary societies who live more close to each other. Of total identified settlements in the Sarayan rgion, only 3 sites have been created in mountainous areas and 13 sites in the southern plain of Sarayan. It seems that there are more sites in this plain but they have been buried under the sands over time due to the abundance of sand and heavy winds. However, it is difficult to identify ancient settlements in mountainous areas due to specific topographical conditions and impassable mountains. Undoubtedly, these settlements continue in the northern half of 3Qale district, that needs a systematic survey to obtain a comprehensive scale of the prehistoric sites and their location in the region. In general, of all the identified settlements in this survey, pre-historic settlements inclusive for about 11% of the total identified settlements of the central district. The samples of pottery collected from the surface of prehistoric settlements are the most of the data related to this period in this region that used for typology and chronology. The results of these studies show the many similarities of the Sarayan pottery traditions with the central plateau, northeast of Iran, southeast of Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan regions. The typological results of these sites show that these sites are from the 5th to 2th millennium BC. Conclusion The results of the present study show that except for 3 sites including Nodeh, Zou, and tappeh Pas-e-Borj, the other settlements are located in the southern part of Sarayan and in one settlement line. So that all sites are located in the southern plain and southern jungle or on the farmlands. Sandy bedding and strong winds have buried most of these sites under the soil, and this is a potential threat to these sites that may remain unknown or destroyed. Statistics show that 80% of the settlements are formed in lowly and sandy plains with very low slope and only 20% of settlements are formed in higher and sub montane areas. It should be known that this model has been tested based on surface surveys and for this reason, it may not be able to cover some sites and settlements. As mentioned, it may many sites have been covered by sedimentation and sandstorms. It is also possible some of the sites within the Jungle and the Southern Plains of Sarayan in the pre-historic times have been created to temporary settlement. Because this nomadic life was prevalent in this region in Islamic period. Ethno-archeology models can help us in this context.