The Transition from The Bronze to The Iron Age at The Southwestern Shores of The Caspian Sea: Evidence from Archaeological Sites
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30546/679523.2.2026.003.053Keywords:
Bronze Age, Iron Age, Transitional period, Caspian Sea, Gīlān, Tāleš, Dīlamān, AmlašAbstract
This paper examines the transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age at the southwestern shores of the Caspian Sea, with particular focus on the Gīlān region. Drawing on data from archaeological surveys and excavations, the study analyses the distribution and characteristics of graveyards, settlement sites, and complex sites across three defined areas (A, B, and C). The results demonstrate that Bronze and Iron Age sites are present not only in mountainous zones but also in lowland areas. That settlement activity increased during the Early Iron Age. Special attention is given to sites showing combined features of both periods, which are interpreted as evidence of transitional processes. The paper also addresses the problem of chronology in the region, arguing for a revision of traditional dating frameworks in light of recent reassessments of radiocarbon data and comparative studies from the Iranian plateau. It is suggested that part of what was previously classified as Iron Age I should instead be attributed to the Late Bronze Age. The study highlights the importance of the southwestern Caspian region for understanding cultural continuity and change between the second and first millennia BC. It emphasises the need for further systematic excavations and multidisciplinary analyses.
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