Archaeological Stratigraphy of Girdi Sheytan Site in Piranshahr Plain; Evidence from The Parthian and Chalcolithic Periods

Piranshahr Plain contains evidence of almost continuous occupation of human populations from prehistoric times to the present. The popularity of the plain stems from the existence of permanent rivers such as Little Zab and its fertile soil suitable for agriculture. In recent years, due to the control of the boundary waters, several dams have been constructed, including Kani Shinka in West Azerbaijan Province, Iran. Girdi Sheytan is one of the five archaeological sites excavated as part of the rescue archaeological plan related to Kani Shinka Dam. The primary goal of the excavation was the preliminary evaluation of the site’s strata to develop a long-term plan in case there was a need for rescue excavation. Hence, a stratigraphic trench was dug in the higher part of the mound, and as a result, it was found that the mound contains more than three meters of archaeological deposits, including the Parthian and Chalcolithic periods. The trench revealed that Girdi Sheytan could be one of the major sites of the Dalma Culture in northwestern Iran. Although the site was originally excavated as a rescue project, the main questions of the present study included: what cultural periods does the site represent? What is the importance of the identified periods, including the Dalma Culture? The examination of the potsherds recovered from the Dalma strata showed that Girdi Sheytan contains most of the types associated with the Dalma Culture. Furthermore, the discovery of Pisdeli-style sherds among them makes it possible to study the transitional stage of this culture. In this article, while presenting the stratigraphy of the area, an attempt has been made to introduce and classify the obtained findings, especially pottery. The preliminary results of excavation at Girdi Sheytan implied that this area was one of the most significant settlements related to the Dalma Culture in the south of Lake Urmia.