Lorestan’ s Balageriveh, is a lowland passage area, located in between two rivers, Dez and Kashkan in South Central Zagros; the area itself is divided into three parts, northern, southern and central. In previous studies in Lorestan, a form of complete shift was depicted from sedentary lifestyle to a mobile one, in transition between the Late Chalcolithic and the Middle Bronze Age. Central Balageriveh is important to be studied on this matter due to its central position among Susiana (Elam), Central Zagros, Bakhtiyari region, Posht Kouh and Mesopotamia, as well as paleoclimatology and archaeological studies conducted over there. Due to the above reasons, the present study has taken into account paleoclimatology and archaeological data, the transition process from Chalcolithic Cultures to the Bronze Age, a change in settlement patterns and the role of socio-economic and environmental changes in this pattern alteration. The findings indicated that longtime climatic change which occurred in the middle of 4th millennium B. C. in the region cannot be regarded as the cause of the complete cultural gap and the change of settlement pattern at the time. Instead, it seems that with the collapse of the Uruk System and its commercial organization, the areas like Balageriveh which were intermediary in this commercial network, lost their charm. When people like Kura-Araxes, on whom some would put the blame of the Uruk collapse as they were mobile pastoralists, settled in some areas which the previous power had lived, the commercial paths withered and Balageriveh’ s intermediary role diminished and instead due to socio-political reasons, the lowland characteristics of the area became highlighted and the change in settlement pattern occurred.

The Jajarm plain is one of the richest areas of the province of North Khorasan, where a long cultural sequence from the Neolithic to the Islamic period was evidenced. This area is located in a natural corridor between the Alborz range and the Dasht-e Kavir where main trade routes in the northeast of the central plateau have development and where environmental conditions were still suitable for human settlements. Prehistoric human communities were also attracted to this region because of the presence of mineral resources and raw materials. Few archaeological reserch have been done in the prehistoric period of Jajarm plain and our knowledge of cultural developments of this period, especially in the Neolithic and Calcolithic periods are very limited. The few archaeological excavations carried out in this area have not yet been able to determine the cultural sequence of the Jajarm plain. Tappeh Pahlavan is one of the prehistoric sites in the Jajarm plain. It is located in the south of the Jajarm county at the northern edge of Dasht-e Kavir and to the south-west of the city of Jajarm. Archaeological deposits from the Late Neolithic, Chalcolithic and Islamic periods were reported of this site. Excavations at Tappeh Pahlavan have revealed the earliest evidence for human occupation in this area. C14 dating has been provided the evidence of the Late Neolithic to the Transitional Chalcolithic (5800- 4800 BCE) in Tappeh Pahlavan. IntroductionTappeh Pahlavan, discussed in this paper, is one of the prehistoric sites in the Jajarm plain. It is located in the south of the Jajarm county at the northern edge of Dasht-e Kavir and to the south-west of the city of Jajarm, at an altitude of 923 m.asl. Today the region is a steppe-desert without vegetation. However during the prehistoric times the environmental setting offered obviously suitable subsistence conditions due to the presence of permanent and impermanent water sources. Archaeological deposits from the Neolithic, Chalcolithic and Islamic periods were reported earlier by Brian Spooner and then Seichi Masuda during his excavations at Tappeh Sang-e Chakhmaq. Few decades later, the site was visited by Ali Vahdati (Vahdati 2010) in the frame of investigations on the Neolithic spread to the east and the relation of this site with Jeitoun sites in southern Turkmenistan. Vahdati collected surface pottery finds and allocated it to the Neolithic and Chalcolithic. In 2015 (1393) the first sounding of Tappeh Pahlavan was initiated under the direction of the first author to find the limits of the site. Several trenches were sounded around Tappeh Pahlavan and helped in evaluating an area of 2,5 hectars for the prehistoric and historic occupation of the site. According to the collected information it was soon established that the site belonged to the Late Neolithic and Transitional Chalcolithic and also Ilkhanid (Azizi Kharanaghi et al, 2016). In 2018, the second season of excavation was organized in Tappeh Pahlavan to investigate the stratigraphy and the absolute chronology of the site (Azizi Kharanaghi et al, 2017 (1396). Archaeological ExcavationThe site of Tappeh Pahlavan is 6 meters height. In total, four trenches (A to D) were excavated. The cultural layers were concentrated in the northern part of the site that might be related to water resources closer to that part of the site. The presence of water is probably one of the reasons of the continuous settlement from Late Neolithic to the Transitional Chalcolithic period.A large number of archaeological materials was uncovered in Tappeh Pahlevan that include pottery, lithic, faunal and botanical remains. The most remarkable finds on this site are semi-precious stones. During the Transitional Chalcolithic period, the high number of stone drills and drilling tools, along with the complete variety of stone bead and the possibility of reconstructing the “chaine operatoire” points to the economic importance of the stone bead manufacturing activity in this area. This is similar to the specialization of some sites during the Transitional Chalcolithic period, such as at the Tepe Pardis in the Tehran plain (Fazeli Nashli et al, 2007). The pottery collection of Tappeh Pahlavan, is comparable with the third levels of Tappeh Sang-e Chakhmaq East mound (Roustaei et al., 2015), which was also discussed by Akira Tsuneki (Tsuneki, 2017, 2014). Almost half of the pottery collection in Tappeh Pahlavan is constituted of Cheshmeh Ali type and comparable to those of the center of the Iranian Plateau (Sialk North (Ghirshman, 1938), Cheshmeh Ali (Fazeli Nashli et al., 2004), Tepe Pardis (Fazeli Nashli et al., 2007), Aq Tappeh (Malek Shahmirzadi and Nokandeh 1379 (2001), Komishani cave (Vadati Nasab, 1388 (2009) and also to those of the neighboring areas such as in Kalateh Khan, Dehkheir (Rezvani and Roustaei, 2016) and Ghaf Khaneh (Roustaei, 1388 (2009). It is noteworthy that no architectural remains could be found in the four excavated trenches of the site. ConclusionFinally, a total of seven charcoal samples were 14C dated and provided the evidence of a continuous chronology from the Late Neolithic to the Transitional Chalcolithic (5800- 4800 BCE) and an occupation over a thousand years. These short investigations at Tappeh Pahlavan have revealed some of the earliest evidences of human occupation in the Jajarm plain.However, considering the cultural and historical potential of the Jajarm Plain and the number of archaeological sites reported until now, the ration of excavated sites is very low and the archaeological investigation in this area are still very weak. Excavations at Tappeh Pahlavan have revealed the earliest evidence for human occupation in this area but the present chronological sequence despite the excavations of Tappeh Pahlavan and Tepe Chalow (Vahdati et al 2019), has still many gaps. Future investigations on prehistoric and historical sites of the Jajarm plain may fill these gaps and our understanding of the dynamics of human settlement in this part of Iran. We need to have a more detailed understanding of the daily life in this part of Iran and subsistence economies, local and regional trade routes in connection with southern central Asia and more particularly with Turkmenistan.The Jajarm plain is one of the richest areas of the province of North Khorasan, where a long cultural sequence from the Neolithic to the Islamic period was evidenced. This area is located in a natural corridor between the Alborz range and the Dasht-e Kavir where main trade routes in the northeast of the central plateau have development and where environmental conditions were still suitable for human settlements. Prehistoric human communities were also attracted to this region because of the presence of mineral resources and raw materials. Few archaeological reserch have been done in the prehistoric period of Jajarm plain and our knowledge of cultural developments of this period, especially in the Neolithic and Calcolithic periods are very limited. The few archaeological excavations carried out in this area have not yet been able to determine the cultural sequence of the Jajarm plain. Tappeh Pahlavan is one of the prehistoric sites in the Jajarm plain. It is located in the south of the Jajarm county at the northern edge of Dasht-e Kavir and to the south-west of the city of Jajarm. Archaeological deposits from the Late Neolithic, Chalcolithic and Islamic periods were reported of this site. Excavations at Tappeh Pahlavan have revealed the earliest evidence for human occupation in this area. C14 dating has been provided the evidence of the Late Neolithic to the Transitional Chalcolithic (5800- 4800 BCE) in Tappeh Pahlavan.IntroductionTappeh Pahlavan, discussed in this paper, is one of the prehistoric sites in the Jajarm plain. It is located in the south of the Jajarm county at the northern edge of Dasht-e Kavir and to the south-west of the city of Jajarm, at an altitude of 923 m.asl. Today the region is a steppe-desert without vegetation. However during the prehistoric times the environmental setting offered obviously suitable subsistence conditions due to the presence of permanent and impermanent water sources. Archaeological deposits from the Neolithic, Chalcolithic and Islamic periods were reported earlier by Brian Spooner and then Seichi Masuda during his excavations at Tappeh Sang-e Chakhmaq. Few decades later, the site was visited by Ali Vahdati (Vahdati 2010) in the frame of investigations on the Neolithic spread to the east and the relation of this site with Jeitoun sites in southern Turkmenistan. Vahdati collected surface pottery finds and allocated it to the Neolithic and Chalcolithic. In 2015 (1393) the first sounding of Tappeh Pahlavan was initiated under the direction of the first author to find the limits of the site. Several trenches were sounded around Tappeh Pahlavan and helped in evaluating an area of 2,5 hectars for the prehistoric and historic occupation of the site. According to the collected information it was soon established that the site belonged to the Late Neolithic and Transitional Chalcolithic and also Ilkhanid (Azizi Kharanaghi et al, 2016). In 2018, the second season of excavation was organized in Tappeh Pahlavan to investigate the stratigraphy and the absolute chronology of the site (Azizi Kharanaghi et al, 2017 (1396).Archaeological ExcavationThe site of Tappeh Pahlavan is 6 meters height. In total, four trenches (A to D) were excavated. The cultural layers were concentrated in the northern part of the site that might be related to water resources closer to that part of the site. The presence of water is probably one of the reasons of the continuous settlement from Late Neolithic to the Transitional Chalcolithic period.A large number of archaeological materials was uncovered in Tappeh Pahlevan that include pottery, lithic, faunal and botanical remains. The most remarkable finds on this site are semi-precious stones. During the Transitional Chalcolithic period, the high number of stone drills and drilling tools, along with the complete variety of stone bead and the possibility of reconstructing the “chaine operatoire” points to the economic importance of the stone bead manufacturing activity in this area. This is similar to the specialization of some sites during the Transitional Chalcolithic period, such as at the Tepe Pardis in the Tehran plain (Fazeli Nashli et al, 2007). The pottery collection of Tappeh Pahlavan, is comparable with the third levels of Tappeh Sang-e Chakhmaq East mound (Roustaei et al., 2015), which was also discussed by Akira Tsuneki (Tsuneki, 2017, 2014). Almost half of the pottery collection in Tappeh Pahlavan is constituted of Cheshmeh Ali type and comparable to those of the center of the Iranian Plateau (Sialk North (Ghirshman, 1938), Cheshmeh Ali (Fazeli Nashli et al., 2004), Tepe Pardis (Fazeli Nashli et al., 2007), Aq Tappeh (Malek Shahmirzadi and Nokandeh 1379 (2001), Komishani cave (Vadati Nasab, 1388 (2009) and also to those of the neighboring areas such as in Kalateh Khan, Dehkheir (Rezvani and Roustaei, 2016) and Ghaf Khaneh (Roustaei, 1388 (2009). It is noteworthy that no architectural remains could be found in the four excavated trenches of the site. ConclusionFinally, a total of seven charcoal samples were 14C dated and provided the evidence of a continuous chronology from the Late Neolithic to the Transitional Chalcolithic (5800- 4800 BCE) and an occupation over a thousand years. These short investigations at Tappeh Pahlavan have revealed some of the earliest evidences of human occupation in the Jajarm plain.However, considering the cultural and historical potential of the Jajarm Plain and the number of archaeological sites reported until now, the ration of excavated sites is very low and the archaeological investigation in this area are still very weak. Excavations at Tappeh Pahlavan have revealed the earliest evidence for human occupation in this area but the present chronological sequence despite the excavations of Tappeh Pahlavan and Tepe Chalow (Vahdati et al 2019), has still many gaps. Future investigations on prehistoric and historical sites of the Jajarm plain may fill these gaps and our understanding of the dynamics of human settlement in this part of Iran. We need to have a more detailed understanding of the daily life in this part of Iran and subsistence economies, local and regional trade routes in connection with southern central Asia and more particularly with Turkmenistan.v

Tracking the emergence of political authority and social hierarchy in the archaeological record has been one of the major challenges addressed by archaeologists in the past fifty years or more, with considerable attention given to potential material correlates of early stages in developments leading ultimately toward statehood (Chapman 2003; Smith 2012). Much of this research has explored the evidence from past societies of the ancient Near East, including Mesopotamia and Iran (Wright 1998; Flannery 1999; Smith 2003), but there has been less investigation of the communities of the Iranian plateau in this light (Matthews and Fazeli 2004). What was their role(s) in the complex series of socio-political developments leading to the appearance of hierarchical societies in the centuries between 5500 and 4000 BC, and how might the archaeological evidence inform us on those roles? Recent and ongoing research into societies of the Iranian plateau in the so-called Transitional Chalcolithic period (5200-4200 BC) is continuing to enhance our understanding of this question. In this article we summarise and analyse the evidence from archaeological investigations of sites and regions on the Tehran, Kashan, and Qazvin plains, addressing in turn settlement patterns, subsistence strategies, craft production, and mortuary practices (Fig. 1).

Balance and coherence of components making an artwork are the most significant and wellknown principles. Proper use, an appropriate connection between the components, and the way they are presented lead to the creation of the balance factor. This factor is one of the important and influential factors on human mind and attracts attention at first sight. Any ambiguity or agitation will be eliminated from the mind of the designer and viewer if the abovementioned factor is implemented properly. Organizing visual arts in an artwork exposes the viewer to a unified totality. Therefore, the main purpose of the present study is to analyze the composition of the geometric and animal-patterned pottery of Cheshmeh Ali, in relation to the study and analysis of factors affecting the maintenance of balance and visual order in the pottery motifs discussed. North of Central Iran in the period of transition from the Neolithic Age to the Chalcolithic Age (Transitional Chalcolithic) (4300-5200) witnessed the emergence of pottery with new visual and structural features distinguishing it from the previous pottery of the region. These painted potteries of Cheshmeh Ali (4600-5200) have been noted by many due to their elegance in construction, suitable baking quality, abundance of motifs, and creation of new motifs, variety in form and type of motif composition. This study answered the question "which factor has led to the organization of visual elements and maintenance of balance in the composition of geometric and animal-patterned pottery of Cheshmeh Ali? " A qualitative method has been adopted in this research, and the required data have been collected through observing, using library documents, and visiting museum samples. Findings indicate that the quality and configuration of lines, along with the main and complementary motifs, resulted in maintaining the visual balance and organizing the composition of the geometric and animal-patterned pottery of Cheshmeh Ali.

Throughout ancient periods, geographical conditions and natural factors have had a significant impact on the formation, prosperity, decline, and settlement patterns of ancient sites. This article examines the settlement of human groups in the northwestern part of the Central Plateau (Qazvin) and their settlement patterns from the beginning of the Late Neolithic period to the end of the Chalcolithic period, in light of geomorphological and altitudinal characteristics, drainage networks, and climatic changes. The results show that natural conditions have had a significant impact on the settlement pattern of ancient sites in the Qazvin sub-basin, as well as settlement discontinuities and continuities.

The settlement of Dava Goz situated about 15km SW of Khoy and 1.5km north of the Dizaj Diz town in NW Iran. Dava Goz is a small site at north of the Lake Urmia, measuring about 100×100m (ca.1ha). The first season of archaeological excavation primarily aimed to clarifying the chronology, settlement organization, and respond to some of the fundamental questions such as the transition process from Late Neolithic to Early Chalcolithic (Hajji Firuz to Dalma) and identifying different cultural horizon including Middle and Late Chalcolithic (LC1 and LC2) periods and also outlining cultural condition of the region during prehistoric periods. The present paper is intended to expose six absolute radiocarbon data from the site and preparing new data for revising prehistoric chronol-ogy of NW Iran. According to fresh absolute C14 radiocarbon date the stratigraphy and chronology of the settlement is now well understood and covers Transitional Chalcolithic (Dava Goz I: 5400-5000 BC), Early Chalcolithic or (Dalma Dava Goz II: 5000-4500 BC) and Middle and Late Chal- colithic 1 (Pisdeli, LC1: Dava Goz III: 4500-4200 BC) and Late Chalcolithic 2 (Chaff-Faced Ware horizon, LC2: Dava Goz IV: 4200-3900/3800 BC) phases of the regional culture of north of the Lake Urmia Basin. Actually, Dava Goz is one of the scant well excavated settlements that give new and fresh information on the developments of the Lake Urmia Basin communities between the sixth to fourth millennium BC (5400-3700/3600 BC), and on their relationships with the contem- porary Caucasian cultures as well as with those located further west and south, in Eastern Anatolia and in the Syro-Mesopotamian region. The first preliminary result of excavation, suggest special function for Dava Goz. It seems clear that this site could be consider as winter land for some agro-pastoral groups of Lake Urmia Basin who trying to find some pasturelands and preparing same raw materials like obsidian for the settlements of Urmia region The implications of the findings will dis- cuss along with limitations and future research directions.

The Central Plateau of Iran, which has been called by various names until now, has special place in terms of Archaeological developments from the fifth millennium BC to the beginning of the third millennium BC. Archaeological evidence indicates the desolation, destruction, displacement, moving, and formation of sites during that period. Despite the dominance of this situation in the field of settlement, the analysis of pottery data in the first place, followed by architecture, metallurgy, and burial, indicates that there was an ongoing cultural continuity. The sites in the area did not have high sustainablity due to environmental factors. Therefore, the analysis of relevant data based on chaos and complexity theories as well as the general theory indicates that the communities in the region followed a particular pattern from the Transitional Cholcolithic to the Early Bronze Age 1. They would survive with a movement. While the continuity of social life was guaranteed by the abandonment of one site and the formation of a new one, technological, architectural, and economic revolution took place at the new site. It is often observed that this life continuity was accompanied by technological developments and innovations. In fact, the aforementioned societies did not collapse but leaving a site ensured their social and economic life. In the Central Plateau of Iran, we encounter with communities that have pursued the process of endogenous development while at the same time expanding inter-regional communication.

Varamin Plain, located on the Jajroud alluvium, has provided suitable conditions for the establishment of human settlements. The result of sedimentation of this alluvium, which is suitable for cultivation, along with hot and dry weather and favorable environmental conditions, has provided the ability to settle and feed human populations in this plain from the Paleolithic period to the present day. At the end of the 6th millennium and up to the middle of the 5th millennium BC, the culture known as Chashmeh Ali was common in large areas of Iran and even outside the current borders of Iran, which, despite the general similarity, had specific characteristics of each region in details. One of these areas is Varamin plain. The creation or destruction of settlements is under the direct influence of environmental factors, and without knowing these factors it is difficult to identify the social, economic and even spiritual dimensions of ancient humans. In fact, the basis of archaeologists' studies is to search and find the interactions between human societies and the surrounding environment, as well as the technologies that human groups have invented to adapt to the environment. The purpose of this research is to investigate the environmental factors in the formation of Cheshmeh Ali culture settlements in Varamin Plain. Therefore, the most important question is what is the relationship between climatic and environmental structures and the formation of Cheshmeh Ali culture's settlements in Varamin Plain? The present research is descriptive and analytical in terms of method. The method of data collection in this research is the type of objective observation, description, and comparative study which has been analyzed and concluded using both field and library methods, along with the use of geographical software and remote sensing.

Analyzing administrative documents holds significant importance within the realms of archaeology and sociology, akin to the study of other archaeological evidence. These examinations play a pivotal role in reconstructing various systems, encompassing management, social dynamics, economic structures, and political frameworks. Delving into administrative management within prehistoric societies unveils the intricate social intricacies and the supervision exercised by a designated leader or head over a subordinate group, representing an internal control mechanism. Notably, seals, impressions on seals, and diverse accounting artifacts serve as pivotal administrative documents. However, the exploration and investigation of such cultural data in northwestern Iran remain relatively scarce. Therefore, the current study endeavors to present, evaluate, and scrutinize the administrative records of Chalcolithic societies in northwestern Iran, employing a descriptive-analytical approach. Numerous inquiries persist without resolution regarding the administrative records and evidence pertaining to the later prehistory of northwest Iran. Ambiguity surrounds the quantification of Chalcolithic administrative documents within this region. Furthermore, the methodology for analyzing and evaluating the ownership and managerial evidence from the later prehistoric era in this area remains unclear. Addressing these uncertainties can establish a definitive framework and a solid foundation for investigating these matters in northwest Iran. Leveraging administrative data obtained from various sites including Tepe Chay Khoy, Chakhmaqluq, Tepe Kulyeri (Tepe Caravanserai), Sohachay Tepe, and others, the authors conduct an assessment of managerial evidence in the northwestern region of Iran. Furthermore, utilizing extant cultural artifacts and drawing upon the outcomes of prior studies facilitates an exploration into phenomena such as long-distance trade, economic endeavors, social intricacies, and cultural exchanges with neighboring areas

Prehistoric investigations in the southeastern region of the Caspian Sea commenced more than a century ago, resulting in the identification of several prominent archaeological sites, notably the caves of Kamarband, Hotu, Komishan, and Altappeh. These caves have become well-known for their rich archaeological deposits, spanning from approximately 16,000 years ago in the Mesolithic period to the Historic period. Hotu Cave, situated on a cliff along the northern slope of the Alborz mountain range, gained significant attention following its initial excavation in the 1950s by Carleton S. Coon. Excavations conducted over two field seasons lasting nine weeks each revealed valuable insights into the region's prehistoric occupation. In 2021, a team led by Hasan Fazeli from the University of Tehran undertook the re-excavation of Hotu Cave, unearthing 124 archaeological contexts spanning from the Mesolithic to the Historic period. Among the notable findings were 1,539 chipped stone artifacts, predominantly crafted from locally sourced Behshahr chert. The chipped stone assemblage from Hotu Cave exhibits distinctive characteristics indicative of different periods, including pressure removal technique evident in blade-lets and sickle trapezoids dating back to the Neolithic period, alongside ubiquitous scrapers and notched-denticulated tools found across all layers. Technological shifts within the chipped stone assemblage, observed during the recent excavations, reflect changes in subsistence patterns inferred from archaeozoological research on animal remains. However, the interpretation of these technological and subsistence changes is nuanced, as it remains unclear whether they occurred locally and gradually or resulted from external influences, such as demographic movements or the diffusion of ideas from neighboring regions. The chronological gap between the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods complicates the determination of the precise mechanisms driving these transformations solely based on material evidence from Hotu Cave. Further interdisciplinary research integrating archaeological, chronological, and environmental data is warranted to elucidate the dynamics of cultural change in this region during the transition from the Mesolithic to the Neolithic period