DELAZIAN (MIRAK I): EVIDENCE OF PALEOLITHIC SETTLEMENT AT THE NORTHERN EDGE OF THE IRANIAN CENTRAL DESERT

Proceedingsof the 6th International Congress

on the Archaeologyof the Ancient Near East

May, 5th-10th 2008, “Sapienza” - Università di Roma

Volume 2Excavations, Surveys and Restorations:

Reports on Recent Field Archaeology in the Near East

Edited byPaolo Matthiae, Frances Pinnock, Lorenzo Nigro

and Nicolò Marchettiwith the collaboration of Licia Romano

2010Harrassowitz Verlag · Wiesbaden

DELAZIAN (MIRAK I):EVIDENCE OF PALEOLITHIC SETTLEMENT

AT THE NORTHERN EDGE OF THE IRANIAN CENTRAL DESERT

H. VAHDATI NASAB, K. ROUSTAEI, H. REZVANI

ABSTRACT

The Iranian Paleolithic is relatively unknown. Based on information gathered from periodic surveys and excavations, it is clear that Paleolithic societies have resided within the present-day boundaries of Iran since the middle Pleistocene. Most Paleolithic surveys and excavations conducted in Iran have occurred within the Zagros region. Studies suggest that Pleistocene societies migrated from the high elevations of the Zagros toward lowland regions during the cold seasons. Geomorphologic studies indicate that the Alborz Mountains region, which contains numerous caves and rock shelters, provided ideal locales for upper Pleistocene hunter-gatherer societies. The authors of this paper believe, due to the physical similarities between the Zagros Mountains in the west and the Alborz Mountains in the north, that this seasonal migratory model could also be applied to Paleolithic sites in the Alborz region. In order to search for Paleolithic settlements within the lower Alborz, and at the same time test the migratory hypothesis, archaeological surveys were conducted in the northern part of Iran’s Central Desert. These surveys revealed several Paleolithic sites; Delazian (Mirak 1) contains Paleolithic occupation levels and was chosen for this research. Lithic material found within surface collections at Delazian suggests the area was occupied by the Middle/Upper Paleolithic period. Delazian is one of the fi rst open-air Paleolithic sites in the southern Alborz Mountains, to be intensively studied. The preliminary results of stone artifact analysis suggest there might have been clear differences between Zagros and Alborz Upper Paleolithic lithic typology.

INTRODUCTION

Until the late 1990s, Paleolithic research in Iran had been in a 20-year ‘coma’! In the early 1980s all Paleolithic studies in Iran were suspended. Aside from political instability in the Zagros region, a primary reason for the gap was a lack of scholarly enthusiasm on the part of Iranian archaeologists for the Paleolithic. The single Paleolithic survey during this period was conducted by the late Amirloo in Ghale-Askar Demavand, Tehran.1 Years later, Vahdati Nasab and Biglari independently

1 Amirloo 1990.

H. Vahdati Nasab, K. Roustaei, H. Rezvani734

initiated goal- oriented Paleolithic surveys.2 With the beginning of the twenty-fi rst century, Paleolithic research in Iran experienced a resurgence, with numerous surveys and excavations increasing our knowledge of this important period.3

CROSSING THE ZAGROS

So far a majority of the Paleolithic studies and excavations in Iran have concentrated on the Zagros Mountains.4 The most outstanding explanation for this focus on the Zagros lies in its geomorphology: numerous caves and rock shelters,5 several intermountain valleys, and countless water sources (e.g. Khorram Abad Valley)6 make it a rich area for Paleolithic research. It has been proposed that most of the Paleolithic settlements in Zagros were seasonal.7 This hypothesis was derived from lithic comparison analysis between highland and lowland Zagros settlements.8 Considering the present-day climate of the Zagros especially during the colder seasons, it is not diffi cult to accept such a claim. The Zagros migratory model proposes that, during the Pleistocene period, Paleolithic societies were left with no other option than to migrate from the highlands to lowland regions in the nearby Central Iranian Desert and Khuzestan Plain.9 The discovery of previously unknown Paleolithic sites consisting of lithic industries similar to those in the Zagros highlands supports this model.10

ZAGROS AS A MODEL FOR ALBORZ

As mentioned above, most Paleolithic studies in Iran have focused on the Zagros region. However the Alborz Mountains, located at the southern end of the Caspian Sea north of the Iranian Central Desert (Fig. 1), are known to have been signifi cant dwelling places for Pleistocene groups. Carlton Stanly Coon, one of the pioneers in Paleolithic studies, excavated two sites in the Alborz in 1949 and 1951.11 These sites, Kamarband Cave and Hotu Rock Shelter near Beh-Shahr, Mazandaran province, contain evidence of both Epipaleolithic and Mesolithic occupation. Charles McBurney of Cambridge University excavated the Middle Paleolithic site, Ke-Aram I, and Epipaleolithic Ali-Tappeh in 1963 and 1964.12

2 Biglari, Abdi 1999; Vahdati Nasab 1999a.3 Vahdati Nasab 1999a; 1999b; Biglari et al. 2000; Biglari, Heydari 2001; Roustaei et al. 2002; Biglari

et al. 2004; Roustaei et al. 2004; Berillon et al. 2007; Heydari 2007; Otte et al. 2007.4 Coon 1951; 1957; Hole, Flannery 1967; Dibble 1984a; Olszewski, Dibble 1993; 1994; Biglari, Abdi

1999; Vahdati Nasab 1999a; 1999b; Biglari, Heydari 2001; Roustaei et al. 2002; 2004; Olszewski, Dibble 2006; Otte et al. 2007.

5 Heydari 2007.6 Roustaei et al. 2004.7 Lindly 1997.8 Piperno 1974; Rosenberg 1980.9 Rosenberg 1980; 1985; 1988.10 Biglari 2004; Heydari pers.comm.; Vahdati Nasab et al. forthc.11 Coon 1951; 1952; 1957.12 McBurney 1968; 1970.

Delazian (Mirak I) 735

In recent years additional Paleolithic locations have been recorded and some excavated within the Alborz region (e.g., Ghale-Askar;13 Gowmishan Cave;14 Moghanak, Otchounak, and Garm Rud 215).

Considering the fact that the Alborz highland regions are similar climatically to those of the Zagros, and share geomorphologic characteristics, it is possible to assume that the migratory model proposed for the Zagros applies to the Alborz. With this presumption in mind, one must search for the footprints of Pleistocene societies in lowland areas at the northern part of the Alborz near the Caspian Sea (e.g., Kamarband, Hotu, Ke-Aram I and Ali-Tappeh) and in areas at the northern edge of the Iranian Central Desert.

Although the study of lowland regions in the southern Alborz is in its initial stages, the fact that few Paleolithic sites are known could support an Alborz migratory model. Not a single lithic comparison study such as that conducted by Rosenberg in the Zagros16 has been undertaken in the Alborz region; therefore the importance of fi nding new Paleolithic sites in the southern foothills of the Alborz is magnifi ed. The lithic industries at Delazian (Mirak1) are the fi rst to have been systematically studied. Results of the studies are presented below.

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

Delazian is located at 39S N0721731 and E3930736, 1050 m above sea level (Fig. 1). Approximately 2 km south of the modern city of Semnan (220 km east of Tehran) lay several natural sand hills, known to local residents as Delazian, Mirak, and Soofi -Abad mounds (Fig. 1). No precise count has been made of these hills; however, the only archaeological survey conducted in the region indicates Delazian consists of seven hills separated from each other in a direct line 2-3 km in length.17 Mehyar and Kabiri18 initiated the single archaeological excavation, which resulted in the discovery of historical (Median?) mud brick structures and Iron Age ceramics. Although lithic industries were not mentioned in the original report, Delazian and its neighboring hills were brought out of obscurity when two of the authors revisited the area in 1991 and reported great number of stone artifacts on the surface.

LITHIC INDUSTRIES

During the most recent visit to the site in 2007, 147 artifacts were recovered from its surface. Surface collection was performed randomly by three assistants with no specialty in lithic analysis, and with no specifi c focus on lithic concentrations. As

13 Amirloo 1990.14 Vahdati Nasab 1999a.15 Berillon et al. 2007.16 Rosenberg 1980; 1988.17 Mehryar, Kabiri 1986.18 Mehyar, Kabiri 1986.


can be seen in Table 1, different types of endscrapers, carinated scrapers, blades, burins, drills and denticulates comprise over 65% of the total number of artifacts. Two important observations are suggestive of the site’s possible age: 1) the assemblage’s low blade/fl ake ratio (1.5), and 2) the presence of index fossils of Aurignacian industry. These points are discussed below.

DISCUSSIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

Based on the data presented in tables 2, it is possible to hypothesize about both raw material accessibility and the dating of Delazian. As shown in Table 2, more than 76% of the collected artifacts show no signs of cortex on the dorsal side. Interestingly, 59% of the artifacts, including fl akes, blades and cores, exhibit retouch. In addition to these two observations, the high percentage of multifunctional tools (15%) leads us to propose that Delazian was occupied by people with limited access to raw material. The lack of cortex on a majority of the artifacts and high percentages of retouch and multifunctional tools support this claim.19

Until a complete artifact analysis has been completed at Delazian, it would be premature to attempt to fi rmly date the site. Nevertheless, considering that artifact collection was randomly executed it is conceivable to use the available sample as a refl ection of the entire assemblage. A relatively high percentage of Aurignacian index fossils (carinated scrapers, endscrapers, blades, and burins) indicate this site could belong to the Upper Paleolithic period.20 In addition to that, the low blade/fl ake ratio (1.5), relatively high percentage of fl akes (15.6%), and presence of different types of single and double sidescrapers (48%) all suggest that Delazian could have been occupied since the early stages of the Upper Paleolithic.21

It must be mentioned that during the initial visits to the site, Levalloisian technologies were reported.22 The fact that no such technology was observed during the course of this survey could be explained in two ways: a) during data collection no Levalloisian artifacts were collected, or b) the initial assessment of the site was based on assemblages at the other Delazian sand hills, located a few kilometers apart.

The lack of microliths, bladelets, or any other composite artifacts in the sample collected could easily be due to the collectors’ bias toward more easily distinguishable objects. Therefore, talk of fi nal dates for the site must be suspended until more intensive survey is conducted. Similarly, we must wait for additional data in order to draw conclusions about site usage (e.g., base camp, butchering location, seasonal camp, etc.).

19 Also see Dibble 1984a; 1984b and Dibble, Holdaway 1993.20 Olszewski, Dibble 1994; 2006.21 Olszewski, Dibble 1994.22 Biglari pers.comm.


EPILOGUE

Olszewski and Dibble (1994) state:‘Early Aurignacian assemblages are generally recognized on the basis of a suite of

lithic techno-typological features, sometimes in conjunction with a bone tool industry that can include split-base bone points. The chipped stone component is dominated by a fl ake-based debitage, and in many instances tools are manufactured primarily on fl ake blanks. There are characteristic “index fossils” as well, including carinated scrapers, burins, Font-Yves points, and Dufour bladelets’.

So far Upper Paleolithic sites excavated in the Zagros region have provided index fossils typical of the early Aurignacian industry.23 In light of the presumption that a lack of Font-Yves points and Dufour bladelets at Delazian was not due to sampling error, it is possible to propose that the Aurignacian industries of Zagros and Alborz may differ; however, such a claim must wait until additional data is collected from both regions. In order to test the Alborz seasonal migratory model, additional Paleolithic sites in the northern and southern foothills of the Alborz must be recorded and studied. Finally, additional intensive lithic analysis of Delazian (Mirak1) and the associated sand hills could make a stronger case for this hypothesis.

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Kim Sonderegger for her editorial help. Special thanks go to Rahmat Naderi for his illustrations. We are indebted to Mr. Kashian, director of the Cultural Heritage offi ce of Semnam province, for granting us access to the site. Final thanks go to Mr. Mourtezaie for his assistance with site access and artifact collection.

Type Count %

Endscraper 28 19.0

Carinated Scraper 11 7.5

Single Side Scraper 16 10.9

Double Sidescraper 9 6.1

Burin 11 7.5

Blade 35 23.8

23 Hole, Flannery 1967; Otte et al. 2007.


Flake 23 15.6

Denticulate 3 2.0

Drill 2 1.4

Core Tool 9 6.1

Tab. 1. Typology of the collected artifacts

Type Count %

Pieces without Cortex 112 76.2

Pieces with Patina 20 13.6

Retouched Pieces 87 59.2

Multifunctional Pieces 23 15.6

Total 147 100.0

Tab. 2. Classifi cation of collected artifacts based on their morphological features.

Bibliography

Amirloo, E.1990 Archeological Survey of the Demavand Region (in Farsi): in Iranian

Journal of Archaeology and History 7, pp. 78-79.Berillon, G. et al.2007 Discovery of New Open-Air Paleolithic Localities in Central Alborz,

Northern Iran: in Journal of Human Evolution 52, pp. 380-387.Biglari, F.2004 The Preliminary Survey of Paleolithic Sites in the Kashan Region: in

S.M. Shahmirzadi (ed.), The Silversmiths of Sialk (Sialk Reconsideration Project), Report No. 2, Tehran, pp. 151-168.

Biglari, F., Abdi, K.1999 Paleolithic Artifacts from Cham-e Souran, the Islamabad Plain, Central

Western Zagros Mountains, Iran: in Archaölogische Mitteilungen aus Iran und Taurus 31, pp. 1-8.


Biglari, F., Heydari, S.2001 Do-Ashkaft: a Recently Discovered Mousterian Cave Site in the Kermanshah

Plain, Iran: in Antiquity 75, pp. 487-488.Biglari, F. et al.2000 A Recent Find of a Possible Lower Paleolithic Assemblage from the

Foothills of the Zagros Mountains: in Antiquity 74, pp. 749-750.2004 Ganj Par: the First Evidence for Lower Paleolithic Occupation in the

Southern Caspian Basin, Iran: in Antiquity 78, n. 302, Project Gallery.Coon, C.S.1951 Cave Explorations: in Iran 1949 (=Museum Monographs, the University

Museum, University of Pennsylvania), Philadelphia.1952 Excavation in Hotu, Iran, 1951. A Preliminary Report (with Section on the

Artifacts by L.B. Dupree and the Human Skeletal Remains by J.L. Angel): in Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society 96, pp. 231-269.

1957 The Seven Caves: Archaeological Explorations in the Middle East, New York.

Dibble, H.L.1984a The Mousterian Industry from Bisitun Cave (Iran): in Paléorient 10(2), pp.

23-34.1984b Interpreting Typological Variation of Middle Paleolithic Scrapers: Function,

Style, or Sequence of Reduction?: in Journal of Field Archaeology 11, pp. 431-436.

Dibble, H.L., Holdaway, S.J.1993 The Middle Paleolithic Industries of Warwasi: in D.I. Olszewski, H.L.

Dibble (ed.), The Paleolithic Prehistory of the Zagros-Taurus, Philadelphia, pp. 75-99.

Hole, F., Flannery, K.1967 The Prehistory of Southwest Iran: a Preliminary Report: in Proceedings of

the Prehistoric Society 33, pp. 147-206.Heydari, S.2007 The Impact of Geology and Geomorphology on Cave and Rockshelter

Archaeological Site Formation, Preservation, and Distribution in the Zagros Mountains of Iran: in Geoarchaeology 22(6), pp. 653-669.

Lindly, J.M.1997 The Zagros Mousterian: a Regional Perspective (unpublished Ph.D.

dissertation), Tempe.McBurney, C.B.N.1968 The Cave of Ali Tappeh and the Epipaleolithic in North-Eastern Iran: in

Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society 34, pp. 385-413.1970 Paleolithic Excavations in the Zagros Area: in Iran 8, pp. 185-86.Mehryar, M., Kabiri, A.1986 Preliminary Report of Surveying of Delazian Archaeological Area,


Cheshme-Sheykh (in Farsi): in ASAR 12-14, pp. 3-46.Olszewski, D.I., Dibble, H.L.1993 The Paleolithic Prehistory of the Zagros-Taurus, Pennsylvania.1994 The Zagros Aurignacian: in Current Anthropology 35(1), pp. 68-75.2006 To Be or Not to Be Aurignacian: the Zagros Upper Paleolithic: in O. Bar-

Yosef, J. Zilhao (eds), Towards a Defi nition of the Aurignacian. Proceedings of the Symposium held in Lisbon, Portugal, June 25-30, 2002-2006, Lisbon, pp. 355-373.

Otte, M. et al.2007 New Research on the Aurignacian in the Zagros Region: Test Excavation at

Yafteh Cave, Lorestan, Iran: in Antiquity 81(311), pp. 82-96.Piperno, M.1972 Jahrom, a Middle Paleolithic Site in Fars, Iran: in East and West 22, pp.

183-97.1974 Upper Paleolithic Caves in Southern Iran, Preliminary Report: in East and

West 24, pp. 9-13.Rosenberg, M.1980 Paleolithic and Early Neolithic Settlements in Marv Dasht Iran, Paper

presented to the Society for American Archaeology, May 1st 1980.1985 Report on the 1978 Sondage at Eshkafte Gadi Barum Shur, Iran: in Iran 23,

pp. 51-62.1988 Paleolithic Settlement Patterns in the Marv Dasht, Fars Province (Ph.D.

dissertation), Philadelphia.Roustaei, K. et al.2002 New Research on the Paleolithic of Lurestan, West Central Iran: in Antiquity

76(291), p. 19.2004 Recent Paleolithic Surveys in Luristan: in Current Anthropology 45, pp.

692-707.Vahdati Nasab, H.1999a Study of Systematic, Behavior, Ecology and Genetics of Paleolithic Societies

in Iran and Mesopotamia (unpublished MS thesis), Tehran.1999b Paleobiology and Animal Distributions Associated with Paleolithic Sites in

Luristan Province. Report to the Institute of Archaeology, Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization, Tehran.

Vahdati Nasab, H. et al.forthc. Helak, a Paleolithic Cave Complex Featuring Rock Art along the Northern

Shore of Parishan Lake, Fars Province, Iran.


Fig.

1: L

ocat

ion

of D

elaz

ian

(Mira

k1) s

ites i

n Ir

an.


Appendix 1. Lithic Illustrations

DELAZIAN (MIRAK I): EVIDENCE OF PALEOLITHIC SETTLEMENT AT THE NORTHERN EDGE OF THE IRANIAN CENTRAL DESERT

Documents