An Investigation in to the Chalcolithic Period of the Moghan Plain in Light of Archaeological Data from Yatag Tepesi, Azerbaijan

Abstract

The Aras and other rivers running across the Moghan region played an important role in the formation of prehistoric sites. The Moghan plain has not so far received the scholarly attention it deserves. While extensive scientific activities have covered the Lake Urmia Basin, this plain has for the most part remained neglected. Yatag Tepesi, a prehistoric site in Germi, Moghan, was subjected to a systematic investigation. The main objective of this paper is to introduce the pottery traditions and to determine the chronological sequence of the site. To gain a more detailed understanding of cultural interactions with other regions and to ascertain the chronological sequence of the site in the Chalcolithic period, the following questions were raised: To which cultural period(s) does YatagTepesi date based on the recovered cultural evidence, including the pottery? The main hypothesis is that the site relates to the Middle Chalcolithic (LC1) and Late Chalcolithic (LC2‒3). Judging from the available evidence, to which regions does the site exhibit the closet links? Our analyses indicate contacts and affinities with other parts of northwest Iran, most notably the Qaradagh region and the Lake Urmia Basin, and South Caucasia. The paper adopts a descriptive-analytical approach. The results of the study suggest that in light of the pottery and other lines of evidence, Yatag Tepesi maintained interactions with other centers of northwest Iran, and flourished between 3700/3600‒4500 BCE.

Keywords

• yatag tepesi
• moghan plain
• germi
• chalcolithic period
• azerbaijan