Study of the role of environmental and geographical factors in the site selection of ancient sites using Geographic Information System(Case study: settlement sites in Khalkhal Township)

Afkham, Behrooz I; Hosseini Nia, Seyed Mehdi; Pur Esmail, Nahid

Study of the role of environmental and geographical factors in the site selection of ancient sites using Geographic Information System(Case study: settlement sites in Khalkhal Township)

Document Type : Extract article from research project

Authors

Behrooz i Afkham ¹

Seyed Mehdi Hosseini Nia ²

Nahid Pur Esmail ³

¹ Professor of Archaeology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabili, Ardebil, Iran

² Postdoctoral Researcher in Islamic Archaeology, Faculty of social sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardebil, Iran

³ 3. Department of Archaeology, Faculty of literature and Human Scinces, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardebil, Iran

Abstract

Background and objective: The cultural and historical artifacts left from various historical periods in the city of Khalkhal, along with its favorable geographical and strategic conditions, have undoubtedly highlighted its importance in the region. This Township, an area among valleys and mountains with abundant water resources, suitable pastures, and high elevation above sea level, has been a cradle of civilization and a center of population since ancient times. The locational conditions and ecosystem of the region had made it one of the most suitable places for the gathering and establishment of ancient settlements. In this context, the aim of this research is to examine the role of climatic and geomorphological factors of the region on the location of settlement sites using remote sensing and GIS capabilities. By examining and analyzing settlement patterns, one can study and analyze the relationship between sites and these patterns, as well as the overall geographical conditions of the region.
Methodology: The research method was descriptive and analytical, and the data collection tools were field and library methods. In line with the research objective, initially, 7 important settlement sites were selected as samples and the basis for the study. Factors affecting the site selection of the areas, such as the location of the areas in relation to water sources, elevation above sea level, vegetation cover, distance of the areas from roads and villages, distance from the city, soil type, regional faults, and land slope, were selected. The required layers were extracted using remote sensing data and processed in the Google Earth Engine environment.
Findings and conclusions: The results of the findings showed that a direct relationship exists between settlement patterns and sites, and the patterns have played a significant role in the formation of settlements. Most sites are located near and along water sources. An altitude of 1603 to 1960 meters, moderate vegetation cover, location along communication routes, proximity to or within villages, within urban areas, and a slope of 0 to 15 percent are among the most important indicators of the settlement patterns of sites from this period. Additionally, the soil types of the three sites are brown steppe soils, and in terms of the sites' positions relative to the regional faults, most of them are located at a distance of 2992 to 6791 meters. It is suggested that in future projects near these sites, attention should be paid to these factors.

Keywords

Khalkhal Township

environmental and geographical factors

settlement sites

settlement patterns

Geographic Information System (GIS)

Subjects

geographical information system

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