%0 Journal Article %T An Assessment on the Spatial-Temporal Patterns of Songhor’s Archaeological Sites in GIS %J Physical Geography Research %I University of Tehran %Z 2008-630X %A Heydarian, Mahmood %A Khosrowzadeh, Alireza %A Sarikhani, Majid %A Fathnia, Aman-Allah %D 2013 %\ 11/22/2013 %V 45 %N 3 %P 47-64 %! An Assessment on the Spatial-Temporal Patterns of Songhor’s Archaeological Sites in GIS %K Ancient Sites %K GIS %K Songhor %K Spatial-temporal Patterns %R 10.22059/jphgr.2013.35834 %X Extended AbstractIntroductionDespite academic advances in spatial analysis within archaeology, primary uses of computerbased GIS in archaeology were initiated by Cultural Resource Management (CRM) needs in theworld. In conjunction with the development of environmental GIS data within severalorganizations, other federal agencies saw its potential for the management and spatialrepresentation of archaeological data. Therefore, in other ways, developing methods of analysisand visual representation of data, previously impossible, were started. New methods ofexploratory data analysis became possible and the efficiency within GIS environments formanipulation and analysis of spatial data contributed to exploratory and experimental use of data.Developed in catchment analysis of the 1970 in archaeology was a byproduct of settlementpattern and cultural ecological studies in which archaeologists became interested in the typesand spatial distribution of resources exploited by a given settlement. The concept is based on theassumption that resource use around a settlement is distance dependant and that sites will belocated so that to maximize exploitation of resource. Typically, the area associated with thesettlement was calculated through Euclidian boundary techniques. Yet Euclidian distancemeasures do not take into account aspects of the topography in consideration of distance. Today,  more sophisticated models utilize cost distance to establish distance in the development ofcatchment areas.Other improvements in spatial analysis can also be seen in settlement pattern analysis. WithGIS, archaeologists are now able to explore and analyze multiple variables across a givenlandscape such as distance between archaeological site locations and particular types ofarchitecture and/or artifacts. These variables can be used to discuss issues related to, forinstance, mobility and socio-political development through time. At more micro-scales, GIS hasbeen used to manage and analyze the distribution of artifact types at a given site. This type ofanalysis is useful for understanding the behavioral patterns at a given site and identifyingspecific activity areas within a site through time.MethodologyThis study has tried to analyze the spatial-temporal patterns of Songhor’s archaeological sites inGIS. To conduct the research, the techniques applied for gathering data will be pervasivesurface survey. Accordingly, all archaeological and historical evidence will be identified andthen recorded, in details. The collected data, including 286 sites and monuments from Neolithicto late Islamic period, was reported in 2 volumes. Dating of the sites has been carried out basedon sample recognition and comparing the studies of collected surface data. The materialgathered were divided into six general groups, which are Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Bronze, Iron,Historic and late Islamic period. According to current research, from the total 286 sites, two ofthem belong to Neolithic periods, 32 of them belong to Chalcolithic period, 25 of them belongto Bronze period, 46 of them belong to Iron Age and 147 of sites present the culture of theAchaemanid, Parthian and Sassanian era. Finally, 214 sites and monuments have shown thetraces of the Islamic period which some of them show only a particular time of Islamic era andmostly present the monuments and architecture of this period. Then these archeological sites arechosen as our materials and statistical population.For achieving the research goals, we have used and analyzed geographical information,using Arc GIS 10 Software. By establishing a data bank, as Geodatabase, for the studywecarried out an analysis on spatial distribution of the sites. Thus, we focused on natural factorslike height, slope, Landform, climate, flowing waters, rivers, flora (pasture), and rainfall tounderstand the role and efficacy of each factor in appearance of the sites. Our study made itclear that the ancient settlement patterns of Songhor was highly affected by natural factors suchas flora, water sources, rainfall, and height.Results and DiscussionIn addition, according to this research it has been specified that each of the natural factors haveplayed different roles in the distribution of the ancient sites and there is no same precept for all.Thus, it is necessary that the role of each natural factor to be studied separately. The analysisshows that the area under study is affected by Zagros mountain ranges, height, distance to theriver and dense pasture cover. ConclusionThis area has a cool climate and height and these factors have created special and differentconditions in forming human settlements relative to other areas in central Zagros. Our studymade it clear that the ancient settlement patterns of Songhor were highly affected by naturalfactors such as height and distance to the river. %U https://jphgr.ut.ac.ir/article_35834_2ab21922714ef318c14e1a5dc5ad2d8d.pdf