The Middle Chalcolithic Settlements (Dalma culture) of Songhor and Koliyaei Plains, Kermanshah

Although prehistoric periods (especially Chalcolithic) of western side of central Zagros is fairly known, Songhor and Koliyaei plains had not been sufficiently investigated neither by the foreign nor the Iranian archaeologists; however, in the course of recent investigations in 2002 and 2009, 33 chalcolithic sites were identified. Nine sites out of these thirty three ones had Dalma sherds. All these 9 sites are located close to the water resources and mostly in the hillsides, where it is easy to reach pasturelands. Considering low extent of settlements and their locations, it could be found out that there have been small sedentary or semi-sedentary villages which could satisfy their life needs by breeding herds. This paper assumes importance since it could provide valuable information on this culture and its probable interaction with its neighboring regions for us, such as Kangavar, Mahidasht, and south of Kurdistan.