Bioarchaeological Analysis of Qoli Darvish (Iran): Reflections on Climate and Subsistence Economy in the Qom Plain during the Third and Second Millennia BCE

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Iranian Centre for Archaeological Research (ICAR),Tehran, Iran.

2 Department of Zooarchaeology and Archaeobotany, National Museum of Natural History (MNHN), and National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), Paris, France.

3 Department of Archaeology and Archaeological Sciences Research Centre,University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.

4 Archaeobotanical Laboratory, World Heritage Base of Shahr-i Sokhta and Regional Museum of South East Iran, Zahedan, Iran.

5 Department of Archeaology, Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Ardabil, Iran.

10.22111/ijas.2026.52542.1356

Abstract

The present study is based on the bioarchaeological analysis of animal and botanical remains from the Qoli
Darvish site in the Qom Plain, aiming to reconstruct the climate and subsistence economy of the communities
settled in this region during the third and second millennia BCE. The dataset comprises over four thousand animal
bone fragments recovered from the occupational layers of periods II to VI at the site. The identified animals
include domestic and wild herbivores, while identified botanical remains are mostly composed cereal. Taxonomic
and anatomical analyses of the bones and botanical remains provide valuable insights into the economic structure,
dietary habits, animal husbandry and plant cultivation practices, and reflections on climatic changes. The results
of these studies suggest that, contrary to the present arid and desert-like landscape of the Qom Plain, the region
experienced a relatively more humid climate during the investigated period sufficient to support herding and
agricultural activities. Evidence of bone modifications reveals further details regarding human activities and the
way ancient communities exploited environmental resources. This research highlights the significance of organic
remains analysis in reconstructing past economy and understanding subsistence behaviours in prehistoric societies.

Keywords

References

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Iranian Journal of Archaeological Studies
Volume 16, Issue 1
2026
Pages 17-38

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