Papers by mostafa abdolahi
Tepe Qela Gap (Azna- Luristan) was excavated in 2009. The aim of this excavation was to establish... more Tepe Qela Gap (Azna- Luristan) was excavated in 2009. The aim of this excavation was to establish the chronological sequence for the Azna Plain in the eastern part of Central Zagros that had been scarcely investigated archaeologically until now. Considering the ecological diversity surrounding the plain, this seems to have been an ideal place for the settlement of permanent villages but could also be suitable for nomadic and semi-nomadic people. The archaeozoological study of a large faunal assemblage (approximately 6500 items) from this site has provided evidence on the evolution of the subsistence economy of the site during its various periods of occupation. The faunal spectra of Qela Gap from all periods indicates that domesticates (Sheep/Goat and Cattle) were the major source of animal resources. Among these domesticates it should be noted that Cattle ratios are important and together with other evidence based on kill off patterns and osteological pathologies it can be stated that these animals were used not only for food but also as draught animals and most probably used for agricultural activities. This is a feature especially visible during the Bronze Age. The wild species, although not very abundant (6%) were also part of the subsistence economy. Remains of Wild Sheep (Ovis orientalis), Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) or Persian Fallow Deer (Dama mesopotamica), Boar (Sus scrofa) and Gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) have been found and indicate that different ecosystems were exploited. Another important feature of the Qela Gap fauna is the discovery of a horse (Equus caballus) bone within the Neolithic Levels. In parallel to the archaeozoological studies the archaeobotanical studies are on-going and will provide a more complete picture of the subsistence economy of the site during the 5000 millennia of occupation.
Despite of great deal of archaeological researches on the various Eastern Central Zagros, occur s... more Despite of great deal of archaeological researches on the various Eastern Central Zagros, occur slightly scattered evidences connected to
the Neolithic and pre-Neolithic eras in the parts. There are further
settlements in the western and also southern parts of Zagros during
Neolithic, proto-Neolithic and earlier phases, which provided more
complete regional chronology. Archaeological excavation at Tappeh
QelaGap in the Azna district of the Luristan in 2009 carried out after four seasons of survey project on the district, as one of eastern
plains of Central Zagros region. The excavation revealed evidences of
late Neolithic and transitional Chalcolithic periods in the stratigraphic
trenches. The evidences in the one of the trenches called C show three
separated Neolithic to Transitional Chalcolithic phases on the trench,
providing by comparison of ceramic assemblage and absolute dates
of other typical sites. Phase one as QelaGap 1 paralleled to late Sarab horizon, phase two as QelaGap 2 paralleled to Sarab-Bagh-e¬ No
horizon, phase three as QelaGap 3 related to Transitional Chalcolithic
and subsequently it begin early Chalcolithic period during phase four
as QelaGap 4. Additionally, other Neolithic materials are tokens, spindle whorls, beads and piece of figuringes that indicated to Calculating,
weaving, decoration and ritual activities and also occur several burnt
stiff hard floors as one of most important evidences in the Neolithic
Near East Societies, which possibly attributed to early domestic activities and food production. The evidences show some highland societies of Eastern Zagros developed by regional isolation with interactive
relations that appeared on the painted pottery styles during Neolithic
period. Eventually these societies transformed to more complex with
cultural integration as Dalma tradition on the whole of Zagros. As
a result, the data of archaeological excavations at Tappeh QelaGap
explains some backgrounds of transitional process from Neolithic to
Chalcolithic periods on the Eastern Central Zagros
Through several archeological surveys and excavations conducted in the Azna plain about ten prehi... more Through several archeological surveys and excavations conducted in the Azna plain about ten prehistoric sites related to the late Neolithic period (from the late 7 th and the early 6 th millennium B.C.) were discovered. Most of the sites are located at the base of the plain and almost close to the permanent water resources. It seems that the consistency and stability of these rural sites is due to several factors such as internal and cultural elements among which the palaeoecological characteristics of the region is underscored. This present study tries to discuss and analyze the transitional process in the Neolithic period of the region with a special reference to the human and environment interactions in the archeological and ecological prospects. Some evidence maintains a rural life process in which economy is based on agriculture and animal husbandry. Also, the analyses of the settlement patterns of the region indicate the importance of the permanent water resources in the formation of settlements in a way that most of these settlements have been closer to the water sources.
Tepe Qela Gap (also known as Ghala Gap ) in Azna: Lurestan, was excavated in 2009 aiming to estab... more Tepe Qela Gap (also known as Ghala Gap ) in Azna: Lurestan, was excavated in 2009 aiming to establish the chronological sequence for the Azna Plain located eastern of Central Zagros, which had been scarcely studied archaeologically until now. Considering the ecological diversity surrounding the plain, Tepe Qela Gap seems to have been an ideal place for the settlement of permanent villages but could also be suitable for nomadic and seminomadic people. The archaeozoological study of a large faunal assemblage, approximately 6500 items from this site, has provided evidence on the evolution of the subsistence economy of the site during various periods of occupation. The faunal spectra of Qela Gap from different periods, indicates that domesticated sheep/goat and cattle were the major source of animal resources. Among these domesticates it should be noted that cattle ratios are important and together with evidences of kill off patterns and osteological pathologies, we can hypothesise that...
Drafts by mostafa abdolahi
Analyzing oxygen isotope evidence available in lake sediment archives is a common way to renovate... more Analyzing oxygen isotope evidence available in lake sediment archives is a common way to renovate the paleoenvironment. In the present article, isotope evidence of the Zarivar and Mirabad lakes were analyzed to survey the climatic conditions in Iran in the Little Ice Age. Considering these changes contemporary with the Little Ice Age, some changes were observed in oxygen isotope in these lakes from 1350 to 1850. In the Zarivar and Mirabad lakes the amount of oxygen isotope exhibits a tendency towards positive values, while this value shows a tendency towards negative amounts in the Parishan and Bakhtegan lakes. Isotopic evidence indicates a dry climate in the Zarivar and Mirabad lakes in comparison with the present conditions. Also, this evidence suggests that the Parishan and Bakhtegan lakes have experienced a wetter and colder condition. Climatic heterogeneity in this age could indicate changes in atmospheric circulation patterns in Iran. Likewise, archeological studies show some cultural and perhaps living changes in settlement patterns in the late Islamic age in the south west of Iran. Evidence obtained from archeological field surveys in Andika in Masjed Suleiman indicates that there had been some saving dams for accumulating fresh water in cold and dry seasons in the above mentioned age. This article tries to explain the settlement mechanisms of these hydraulic systems and the later cultural changes which may result from environmental and climatic diversities due to Little Ice Age.
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Papers by mostafa abdolahi
the Neolithic and pre-Neolithic eras in the parts. There are further
settlements in the western and also southern parts of Zagros during
Neolithic, proto-Neolithic and earlier phases, which provided more
complete regional chronology. Archaeological excavation at Tappeh
QelaGap in the Azna district of the Luristan in 2009 carried out after four seasons of survey project on the district, as one of eastern
plains of Central Zagros region. The excavation revealed evidences of
late Neolithic and transitional Chalcolithic periods in the stratigraphic
trenches. The evidences in the one of the trenches called C show three
separated Neolithic to Transitional Chalcolithic phases on the trench,
providing by comparison of ceramic assemblage and absolute dates
of other typical sites. Phase one as QelaGap 1 paralleled to late Sarab horizon, phase two as QelaGap 2 paralleled to Sarab-Bagh-e¬ No
horizon, phase three as QelaGap 3 related to Transitional Chalcolithic
and subsequently it begin early Chalcolithic period during phase four
as QelaGap 4. Additionally, other Neolithic materials are tokens, spindle whorls, beads and piece of figuringes that indicated to Calculating,
weaving, decoration and ritual activities and also occur several burnt
stiff hard floors as one of most important evidences in the Neolithic
Near East Societies, which possibly attributed to early domestic activities and food production. The evidences show some highland societies of Eastern Zagros developed by regional isolation with interactive
relations that appeared on the painted pottery styles during Neolithic
period. Eventually these societies transformed to more complex with
cultural integration as Dalma tradition on the whole of Zagros. As
a result, the data of archaeological excavations at Tappeh QelaGap
explains some backgrounds of transitional process from Neolithic to
Chalcolithic periods on the Eastern Central Zagros
Drafts by mostafa abdolahi
the Neolithic and pre-Neolithic eras in the parts. There are further
settlements in the western and also southern parts of Zagros during
Neolithic, proto-Neolithic and earlier phases, which provided more
complete regional chronology. Archaeological excavation at Tappeh
QelaGap in the Azna district of the Luristan in 2009 carried out after four seasons of survey project on the district, as one of eastern
plains of Central Zagros region. The excavation revealed evidences of
late Neolithic and transitional Chalcolithic periods in the stratigraphic
trenches. The evidences in the one of the trenches called C show three
separated Neolithic to Transitional Chalcolithic phases on the trench,
providing by comparison of ceramic assemblage and absolute dates
of other typical sites. Phase one as QelaGap 1 paralleled to late Sarab horizon, phase two as QelaGap 2 paralleled to Sarab-Bagh-e¬ No
horizon, phase three as QelaGap 3 related to Transitional Chalcolithic
and subsequently it begin early Chalcolithic period during phase four
as QelaGap 4. Additionally, other Neolithic materials are tokens, spindle whorls, beads and piece of figuringes that indicated to Calculating,
weaving, decoration and ritual activities and also occur several burnt
stiff hard floors as one of most important evidences in the Neolithic
Near East Societies, which possibly attributed to early domestic activities and food production. The evidences show some highland societies of Eastern Zagros developed by regional isolation with interactive
relations that appeared on the painted pottery styles during Neolithic
period. Eventually these societies transformed to more complex with
cultural integration as Dalma tradition on the whole of Zagros. As
a result, the data of archaeological excavations at Tappeh QelaGap
explains some backgrounds of transitional process from Neolithic to
Chalcolithic periods on the Eastern Central Zagros