Systematic Survey

Kooh-e Khajeh (Kajeh Mountain), with 120m height and 2-2.5km in diameter, is located at Hamoon Lake like an island. Since the archaic era, due to its specific geopolitical location, religious sacredness, and the natural beauty especially at the times of water-richness at Hamoon, this place caused the formation of settlements. Based on an intensive archaeological survey conducted in this region, seventeen sites have been identified of which thirteen possess earthenware. Through typological and chronological studies of potteries found at surface level, two era of settlement have been identified in this Mount: one refers to the pre-Islam era beginning from 3rd century B.C. until the end of Sassanians; the second belongs to the Islamic era particularly on the basis of glazed potteries scattered on the surface as well as some structures built during 6th and 8th century Hegira. The buildings and structures related to the pre-Islam era include palaces, defensive forts and citadels, and temples, whereas; the buildings of the Islamic era are exclusively related to some religious places such as shrines, mausoleums and cemeteries.

The ancient site of Chiasi, located in Kuhdasht, Lorestan province, boasts a diverse cultural sequence spanning from prehistoric times to the Islamic era. Initial information about this site was first published in Goff’s archaeological reports in 1971, which highlighted the presence of surface materials belonging to the Chalcolithic Age and the Uruk period. Unfortunately, Tepe Chiasi has suffered significant damage over time, primarily due to natural erosion and, more recently, human activities. As a result, many of its cultural contexts have been lost irretrievably. To prevent further destruction caused by urban development in Kuhdasht, extensive archaeological studies were conducted at the Chiasi site. The research project began with a systematic survey of the site, followed by the excavation with 18 trenches measuring 1.5 × 1.5m to delimit the core zone and suggest the protective buffer zone. The analysis of the collected data revealed a lengthy cultural sequence at the site, ranging from the Neolithic Age to the fourth and fifth centuries AH.