Dargaz Plain

Considering special geographical location of Dargaz Plain in Razavi Khorasan province, identifying the cultural evolution there during the Parthian period can answer many questions about this relatively unknown historical era of Iran. Besides, it can help us better understand the origin of the Parthian culture in Northeast Iran. This research was carried out in the form of a reconsideration project during the field studies of Dargaz Plain. In this regard, Dargaz Plain was surveyed during one season, and as a result, 84 sites belonging to the Parthian period were identified. The main purpose of the research was to study the distribution patterns of Parthian settlements and their spatial relations with each other based on environmental variables. The most important environmental indicators in explaining the settlement patterns were analyzed via attributes such as altitude, water resources, slope, communication routes, vegetation, and land use, as well as the characteristics of the sites, including size and chronology using the geographic information system (GIS) and the cluster analysis method. The results indicate that during the Parthian period, the area witnessed an increasing growth in the nomadic population compared to permanent settlements, and in general three settlement patterns were identified: small and large villages, an urban center, and nomadic and seasonal settlements.

Central Asia is a key unit of archaeological studies of the Ancient Near East and an issue for important questions such as primary states, Aryan people immigration has a unique role in archaeological activities. Considering the geographical location of Dargaz (Dargaz) Plain at the periphery of Central Asia, it is a vital area in the archaeology of the northeastern part of the Iranian Central Plateau and Central Asia. The region is ideally situated to research regional relationships and inter-regional interactions between those cultural-geographical regions due to its ecological potential and geographic location. Archaeologically, to comprehend Cultural Similarities in Dargaz Plain, many studies and surveys have been done since the beginning of the 20th Century. However, because of the lack of more detailed excavation in this area, the quality of cultural material of Central Asia and the Iranian Central Plateau is reassessing continuously. The first archaeological survey by Kohl and Heskel in 1978 reveals the similarities between Central Asia and this area. The Following works were done for the sake of making known the prehistoric Sites, their interaction with neighboring regions, and their ecosystem but it remains incomplete. Twenty-one prehistoric settlements have remained in the area, dating from the Neolithic to the Iron Age I/III, according to archaeological studies carried out during these years. The majority of the locations that have been found are the ruins of dispersed villages and seasonal camps that were scattered throughout the plain, as well as at inaccessible heights and other locations. With an emphasis on the material culture, particularly the local ceramic traditions and the settlement patterns of the prehistoric site, this current work investigates the connection and interconnectedness of the Dargaz Plain and proposes novel prospects for future works. A study of the Dargaz Plain may shed new light on the social and cultural history of a larger region.