Effect of Environmental and Geographical Factors on Distribution of the Chalcolithic Sites in the Hourand Region, Iran

Abstract

Aims & Backgrounds: Ancient sites of chalcolithic age in the Hourand region located at the eastern part of Azerbaijan, Iran covers the historical period from the late 6th millennium to the 4th millennium BC. This study aimed to investigate the effect of environmental and geographical factors on the distribution of the chalcolithic sites in the Hourand region located at the eastern part of Azerbaijan, Iran. Methodology: The proposed models for investigating the site selection and distribution of the ancient sites in the Hourand region was based on the ArcGIS software, multivariable statistics method, and digital spatial data. By use of this model, the environmental and cultural factors that had a greater role in shaping the patterns of spatial data distribution and archaeological sites were analyzed. Findings: The placement position of chalcolithic sites in terms of distance to water resources and communication paths and degree of the slope were classified into 5, 6 and 6 categories, respectively. Conclusion: The placement position of ancient sites of the Hourand region in chalcolithic age is a function of natural components includes water resources, communication paths and elevation from the sea level and the other factors have had little influence on the site selection.

Keywords

• hourand
• chalcolithic
• settlement pattern
• environmental factors
• spatial distribution