10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
[MZZ52-01] Geological background of prehistoric societies in West Asia
Keywords:West Asia, prehistoric ages, stone tool, Zagros
The prehistoric times of West Asia have undergone transitions from the Paleolithic, Neolithic, and Chalcolithic eras. In the transition, it is considered that the farming, pastoral and sedentary life became more prominent in the Neolithic era. The natural environment played a major role in the formation of this series of prehistoric societies. Since 2003, the author has studied the Arsanjan archaeological site of Zagros in Iran (50,000-51,000 years ago; Middle Paleolithic Age), the Hasankeyf Hoyuk in Turkey (9500-9000 BC), the Tell el-Kerkh, Syria (6600-6100 BC), and the Chakhmaq site of Alborz in Iran(7200-6600 BC (West Tape), 6300-5200 BC (East Tape)). He has been investigating stone tools and environmental locations at each site.
The Arsanjan archaeological site is the northern edge of the Zagros fold-thrust belt, the Hasankeyf Hoyuk on the banks of the Tigris is the area where the Zagros fold-thrust belt disappears, and the Tel el-Kerkh is the northern extension of the Jordan rift zone. The Chakhmaq is located at the end of one of the alluvial fan areas called bajada, which developed in the strike-slip active fault zone. The location of these sites is related to the Arabia and Africa collision. All sites are located in the Cretaceous to Paleogene limestone areas. Radiolarite at the Arsenjan and siliceous nodules in limestone at other archaeological sites are frequently used as stone blades. This information suggests that radiolarites and limestones (including siliceous nodules) played a major role in determining the settlement of ancient people in prehistoric times.
Considering extensive transportation centered on prehistoric West Asia, the Zagros between Mesopotamia and the Iranian Plateau is considered to be a topographical obstacle. However, crossing Zagros has been active since prehistoric times. For example, from the Tigris-Euphrates River basin and even from the Persian Gulf, the routes to the inland areas of Kermanshah, Isfahan, and Shiraz are geographically crossing the districts of Lurestan Arc, Dezful Embayment, and Fars Arc, respectively. Lurestan Arc and Fars Arc belong to the Zagros simple fold zone and are called "Whaleback anticline; Burberry et al., 2010". These districts are relatively easy to reach inland by moving through the valleys between the anticlines of whales. On the other hand, the Dez-Bakhtiari River system of Dezful Embayment extends from around 100m above sea level to the town of Fereydun (2600m above sea level) on the edge of the Iranian plateau. This water system has a marked meander, which is formed by a leading river consisting of longitudinal and transverse valleys as a result of the downcutting of the river that sews the anticline of the whale. In other words, the Zagros may have experienced active uplift in the area centered on Dezful Embayment. The collision against Eurasia in Arabia created the Zagros fold-thrust belt, which is the main part of the Zagros, while the river system patterns that existed from its early stages remain, and the valleys created by these rivers are prehistoric traffic routes.
The Arsanjan archaeological site is the northern edge of the Zagros fold-thrust belt, the Hasankeyf Hoyuk on the banks of the Tigris is the area where the Zagros fold-thrust belt disappears, and the Tel el-Kerkh is the northern extension of the Jordan rift zone. The Chakhmaq is located at the end of one of the alluvial fan areas called bajada, which developed in the strike-slip active fault zone. The location of these sites is related to the Arabia and Africa collision. All sites are located in the Cretaceous to Paleogene limestone areas. Radiolarite at the Arsenjan and siliceous nodules in limestone at other archaeological sites are frequently used as stone blades. This information suggests that radiolarites and limestones (including siliceous nodules) played a major role in determining the settlement of ancient people in prehistoric times.
Considering extensive transportation centered on prehistoric West Asia, the Zagros between Mesopotamia and the Iranian Plateau is considered to be a topographical obstacle. However, crossing Zagros has been active since prehistoric times. For example, from the Tigris-Euphrates River basin and even from the Persian Gulf, the routes to the inland areas of Kermanshah, Isfahan, and Shiraz are geographically crossing the districts of Lurestan Arc, Dezful Embayment, and Fars Arc, respectively. Lurestan Arc and Fars Arc belong to the Zagros simple fold zone and are called "Whaleback anticline; Burberry et al., 2010". These districts are relatively easy to reach inland by moving through the valleys between the anticlines of whales. On the other hand, the Dez-Bakhtiari River system of Dezful Embayment extends from around 100m above sea level to the town of Fereydun (2600m above sea level) on the edge of the Iranian plateau. This water system has a marked meander, which is formed by a leading river consisting of longitudinal and transverse valleys as a result of the downcutting of the river that sews the anticline of the whale. In other words, the Zagros may have experienced active uplift in the area centered on Dezful Embayment. The collision against Eurasia in Arabia created the Zagros fold-thrust belt, which is the main part of the Zagros, while the river system patterns that existed from its early stages remain, and the valleys created by these rivers are prehistoric traffic routes.