The Dalma Settlements of Songhor and Koliyaei Plains, Central Zagros

Although prehistoric periods (especially Chalcolithic) on the western side of the Central Zagros Mountain are fairly known, the Songhor and Koliyaei Plains have not been sufficiently investigated by western or Iranian archaeologists. In the course of the recent investigations during the 2002 and 2009 field seasons, thirty three chalcolithic sites, of which nine sites contain Dalma sherds, were identified. The above nine sites are located close to the water resources and most of them are located in the hill sides where pasture lands are accessible. Small size settlements testify that there have been small sedentary or semi-sedentary villages whose inhabitants could obtain their requirements by animal husbandry. The present paper aims to provide valuable information on this culture and examine its probable interaction with its neighboring regions such as Kangavar, Mahidasht, and south of Kurdistan.