From the Transitional Chalcolithic to the Early Bronze Age 1 in the Central Plateau of Iran: Site Abandonment, Formation, Development, Movement, and Decomposition

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
Somayyeh Asadi Tashvigh 1
Rahmat Abbasnejad Seresti 2
1 PhD in Prehistoric Archaeology from University of Mazandaran, Mazandaran, Iran
2 Associate Professor of Prehistoric Archaeology, University of Mazandaran, Mazandaran, Iran
Abstract
The Central Plateau of Iran, which has been called by various names until now, has special place in terms of Archaeological developments from the fifth millennium BC to the beginning of the third millennium BC. Archaeological evidence indicates the desolation, destruction, displacement, moving, and formation of sites during that period. Despite the dominance of this situation in the field of settlement, the analysis of pottery data in the first place, followed by architecture, metallurgy, and burial, indicates that there was an ongoing cultural continuity. The sites in the area did not have high sustainablity due to environmental factors. Therefore, the analysis of relevant data based on chaos and complexity theories as well as the general theory indicates that the communities in the region followed a particular pattern from the Transitional Cholcolithic to the Early Bronze Age 1. They would survive with a movement. While the continuity of social life was guaranteed by the abandonment of one site and the formation of a new one, technological, architectural, and economic revolution took place at the new site. It is often observed that this life continuity was accompanied by technological developments and innovations. In fact, the aforementioned societies did not collapse but leaving a site ensured their social and economic life. In the Central Plateau of Iran, we encounter with communities that have pursued the process of endogenous development while at the same time expanding inter-regional communication.

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The International Journal of Humanities
Volume 27, Issue 4
Autumn 2020
Pages 54-71