Taherabad Phase (Godin VIII)? The Correction of a Drawback in Eastern Central Zagros Chronology

Document Type : Research Article

Author

Department of Art and Architecture, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The Chalcolithic sequence of the Central Zagros, which is designed primarily using the potsherds recovered and
other associated material culture has long been used by researchers as a framework for the mentioned region. The
chronology is originally suggested based on some incomplete excavations and thus, it is now apparently in need
of revision, at least in some parts. Part of the problem goes back to the phase known as Taherabad (Teherabad) or
Godin VIII, a phase that suffers the most from the lack of secure chronology. What is discussed here is the nature
of Godin VIII phase, so that it will be argued here that based on the archaeological data recorded from the Central
Zagros region, the existence of such a phase is doubtful. Instead of Taherabad, it seems that Hoseinabad comes
after the Seh Gabi Phase. It should be noted that Taherabad Phase has not been identified from the excavations
and field surveys. The author suggests here that Godin VII Phase comes right after Seh Gabi Phase in the eastern
Central Zagros and the other regions under its influence and the pottery-making tradition of Taherabad Phase (Godin
VIII) is probably part of the previous Seh GabiPhase; therefore, it can no longer be considered a separate tradition.
Based on what is mentioned, the chronology of the Chalcolithic Period in the eastern Central Zagros is needed to
be reassessed. Such a proposition results from the analyses of the potsherds recovered from the old and new field
expeditions.

Keywords

References

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Iranian Journal of Archaeological Studies
Volume 11, Issue 2
2021
Pages 45-56

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