Rescue Archaeology Survey in the Reservoir Area of Azaroud Dam, Mazandaran: A Look at Environmental Capacities and Tourism Attractions

چکیده

This study aimed to identify and document archaeological sites within the catchment area of the Azaroud Dam and to prepare an archaeological map of the region. The primary research question was whether there is evidence of historical human settlements in the Azaroud Dam reservoir area and how environmental and geological factors have influenced the formation or absence of such settlements. The methodology was based on a field survey of the region. The results indicate that there is no evidence of historical human settlements within the Azaroud Dam reservoir area. Only scattered fragments of eroded pottery were found along the riverbanks, likely transported to the area by seasonal floods from upstream regions. Environmental and geological analyses also reveal that factors such as dense forest cover, steep slopes, difficult terrain, and annual torrential rainfall have created unfavorable conditions for the establishment of permanent or even temporary settlements in this area. However, these findings are limited to the reservoir area, and the possibility of human settlements in adjacent areas, particularly in upstream regions with gentler slopes and flatter terrain, cannot be ruled out. Despite this, the significant tourism potential of the studied area, both naturally and due to the construction of the Azaroud Dam, can play a prominent role in attracting investment and promoting sustainable development in the region.