Dispersion Pattern Analysis in Troglodytic of Isfahan Province by using the Geographic Information System (GIS)

Troglodytic, as structures that are made without the use of usual materials and just by digging the ground or rock and mountain, are important in terms of issues such as adaptation to climate and environment and the optimal use of energy. Isfahan province, as a vast province with an area of about 106786 square kilometers and with different climates, has many examples of troglodytic architecture. This research was based on descriptive-analytical method and its aim was to study the distribution of 19 cases in Isfahan province and discover possible patterns and correlations between their locations and various cultural and natural environments factors. This study sought to answer these questions: 1) How is the dispersion pattern troglodytic of Isfahan province, relative to elevation, distance from water resources including seasonal and permanent rivers and Qanat, slope, distance from roads, location relative to villages and cities and climate and temperature? 2) If these troglodytic are correlated with the mentioned factors, what is the reason of this correlation? And 3) is it possible to determine the use of these troglodytic according to the results of this research? The method was includes collecting information through articles and reports related to archaeological surveys and excavations, gathering spatial and geographical information of the studied troglodytic such as geographical coordinates by field method and finally analyzing the obtained information and classifying them by ArcGIS software. In order to achieve more accurate results, the troglodytic were divided into two categories based on function: residential troglodytic and defensive and ritual troglodytic. Based on findings, it was found that those troglodytic had residential use or generaly were used daily, are more correlated with environmental and geographical factors. On the other hand, the second category of troglodytic, which were built with the aim of hiding, are more related to cultural and human factors. It can be said that in the dispersion pattern of residential troglodytic, environmental factors and in the dispersion pattern of defense and ritual troglodytic, cultural factors have priority.