On the Influence Analysis of the Geographic Phenomena in Spatial Distribution of the Bronze Age Settlements (1500-3000 B.C) in Ardabil Province

Subject Areas : Urban and Regional Planning Studies

Reza Rezaloo ¹ , Parviz Purkarimi ² , Yahya Ayremlou ³ , Fariborz Tahmasebi ⁴

1 - Associate Professor, Dep. of Archaeology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
2 - Ph.D. in Archaeology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
3 - Ph.D. Candidate in Archaeology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
4 - Ph.D. Candidate in Archaeology, Dep. of Archaeology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

Received: 2016-12-27 Accepted : 2018-01-10 Published : 2018-08-23

Keywords: Ardabil, Ardabil province, Bronze Age settlements, geographic phenomena, central place model,

Abstract :

Based on archaeological and geographic studies carried out in Ardebil province, this paper aimed at analyzing the role of geographical phenomena in the formation, development and decline of the pre-historic castles of Ardebil province. This descriptive-analytical study with an interdisciplinary approach, using satellite imagery, systematic field surveys and archaeological explorations followed the answer to this question, how was the pattern of third and second millennium settlements pattern in Ardabil province and how and to what extent were the natural and geographical factors influencing this? The study results indicated that the geographic phenomena have important role in the formation and spatial distribution of historic castles of Ardebil province. Analysis of the spatial distribution of castles and the Eco-political interaction together, brought this assumption to mind that the pattern of Eco-political interaction in Ardabil province’s castles is closely related to the crystallographic location pattern. So that, the central location theory can be tracked in this geographic area. According to this model, the Qal'eh Khosro was a central castle and its surrounding, there were smaller castles like Zino, Shyndyr Shami, Kychyk Jordi, Sheitan Dashy and, etc., were its cyclical castles. One of the main features of the central castle (Qal'eh Khosro) is the vast expanse of the site and the presence of a large cemetery next to it. Of the main features of the cyclical castles can be noted as small area, being scattered around the central castle at definite intervals, protecting limits and fortifications of the central castles and communication routes.

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