Between the mountain and the plain. A case study of remote-sensing analysis from the area of Izeh (Khuzistan, Iran)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Dipartimento di Studi Storici, Università degli Studi di Torino

10.22059/jarwa.2022.336916.19

Abstract

The study area is located in Central-western of Zagros, in the upper basin of the Karun River. The work presented here focused on the plain of Izeh and the surrounding mountains, in north-eastern Khuzestan. The plain of Izeh is rich in important archaeological occurrence, such as the sites of Kul-e Farah and Shikaft-e Salman, and has been densely settled almost continuously from the prehistoric period to modern times. The adjacent mountains are giving back several testimonies of the human presence in the area as well, such as the sanctuary of Shami. The way of conducting a remote-sensing analysis in archaeology clearly depends on the characteristics of the landscape. Archaeological landscape studies focused in the past mainly on plain areas, while few researches regarded highlands. Our research area is characterized by different natural features, such as mountain slopes, valleys, highlands, and intermountain plains having a spatial close relationship. This study tries to highlight peculiarities and similarities of how the archaeological features are detectable on satellite imagery for different kind of landscapes. New studies on landscape archaeology are stressing the economic, political, strategical and cultural importance of apparently marginal areas too. A ‘holistic’ study of the territory evaluating the different ecological niches allow to better understand how man occupied a specific ancient territory and exploited its natural resources. The study is based on the interpretation of different kinds of imagery, such as cartography, satellite images and digital elevation models as well as on published and unpublished surveys and excavation data.

Keywords

Journal of Archaeological Research in West Asia (JARWA)

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 01 September 2022

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History

  • Receive Date: 10 January 2022
  • Accept Date: 03 October 2022

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