Taherabad Phase (Godin VIII)? The Correction of a Drawback in Eastern Central Zagros Chronology

The Chalcolithic sequence of the Central Zagros, which is designed primarily using the potsherds recovered and other associated material culture has long been used by researchers as a framework for the mentioned region. The chronology is originally suggested based on some incomplete excavations and thus, it is now apparently in need of revision, at least in some parts. Part of the problem goes back to the phase known as Taherabad (Teherabad) or Godin VIII, a phase that suffers the most from the lack of secure chronology. What is discussed here is the nature of Godin VIII phase, so that it will be argued here that based on the archaeological data recorded from the Central Zagros region, the existence of such a phase is doubtful. Instead of Taherabad, it seems that Hoseinabad comes after the Seh Gabi Phase. It should be noted that Taherabad Phase has not been identified from the excavations and field surveys. The author suggests here that Godin VII Phase comes right after Seh Gabi Phase in the eastern Central Zagros and the other regions under its influence and the pottery-making tradition of Taherabad Phase (Godin VIII) is probably part of the previous Seh GabiPhase; therefore, it can no longer be considered a separate tradition. Based on what is mentioned, the chronology of the Chalcolithic Period in the eastern Central Zagros is needed to be reassessed. Such a proposition results from the analyses of the potsherds recovered from the old and new field expeditions.