Distribution of Achaemenid Period Settlements on the Southwest Iran-Khuzestan Ramhormoz Plain with Survey Data

Abstract

The Ramhormoz region in south and southwest Iran and its large-scale geography extends to the northern highlands of present-day modern Khuzestan. Despite its significance for its connection with the Susa-Persopolis Road during the Achaemenid period, the region did not attract archaeological attention until 1948s. Even in its brevity, the results of the 1969 Wright-Carter survey showed that the Ramhormoz region is promising in shedding light on the relation between the highlands and lowlands of southwest Iran. As a result of new archaeological data and the survey conducted under my supervision, the characteristics of the Achaemenid settlements on the Ramhormoz plain in Southwest Iran were reanalyzed. The influence of geographical factors such as the presence of large rivers and fertile lands on the formation and prosperity of the settlements, and the relations between sedentary, rural, and nomadic communities were examined. It was thus revealed that proximity to commercial roads and access to water resources and pasture were the main determinants in the distribution model of Achaemenid settlements. Rich pastures for nomads, the potential for irrigated agriculture for settlers, and access to communication routes provided advantages for both lifestyles (Alizadeh, 1979). The socio-political control and settlement pattern organized by the central political power in the Late Elamite Period continued in the Achaemenid period as well. Therefore, the settlement pattern is more associated with roads. When the location of the settlements and their distance to each other are examined, it is seen that the frequency of settlements on the Susa-Persepolis Royal Road is very high. Settlements are located on the road within short distances of each other, which shows that the road is a determining factor on settlements in the region due to its socio-economic advantages. During the Achaemenid period, as in the previous period, while settlements continued their development on the slopes of the mountains and on the edge of the plain, they were mainly concentrated in the center of the plain. During this period, the size of the settlements increased, which is indicative of population growth on the Ramhormoz plain during the Achaemenid period.