The Distribution and Continuity of the Prehistoric Settlements in the Region West of the Karkheh River in Lowland Susiana, Southwestern Iran

Most part of the lowland Susiana has been the object of numerous archaeological surveys and excavations for more than 100 years. However, the overwhelming majority of the archaeological studies have been concentrated on the upper Khuzestan plains, the area between the Karkheh River in the west and the Karun River in the east. Surprisingly, the vast region on the west bank of the Karkheh River has never been systematically surveyed.In 2004 and 2005, a four-month intensive survey was conducted in this part which resulted in the discovery of 81 settlements ranging from prehistoric to Islamic times. This data, not only evolve the existing Susiana survey database, but offer new insights into the long-term cultural changes and continuity in the region. It also provides a deeper understanding of the nature of the relationship between Susiana and its periphery, buffer zone of the Deh Luran plain.Analysis of settlement patterns from fifth to the early third millennium BC on the west bank of the Karkheh River forms the scope of this article. Moreover, based on the survey results of the west Karkheh, the Terminal Susa A period (periods between Susa I and II) will be reviewed and re-examined.