Abstract
Gachsaran Region, as a Communication Corridor between Fars and Khuzestan Provinces, with Its Unique Geographical Features and Natural Capabilities, Has Been the Setting for a Number of Permanent and Temporary Settlements. Site 106, located within the reservoir area of the Chamshir Dam, is one such settlement. Due to the construction of the dam and the threat it posed to archaeological evidence, a large-scale excavation project was undertaken to salvage and document the archaeological remains. Accordingly, following a survey of an 80-hectare area in Cham Khaneqoli, five trenches were opened on the remaining mounds within the site. The excavation findings revealed two architectural phases, distinguished based on construction sequence, structural depth, building techniques, wall thickness variations, construction materials, and associated cultural layers. The first phase, consisting of cobblestone architecture with gypsum mortar and plaster, belongs to the Sasanian period and includes two sub-phases. Based on the site's cultural evidence and the region's geographical characteristics, it is likely associated with a small seasonal settlement or possibly a Daskareh (a rural estate or outpost) from the Sasanian era. The second phase represents semi-sedentary architecture from the Middle Islamic centuries, built with lower quality using irregular cobblestones and mud mortar. Cultural materials documented from this phase include pottery, glass and architectural remains. The pottery fragments identified in this project include a variety of unglazed wares such as plain, incised, stamped, rope-relief, and painted types, as well as a sample with textile impressions on the exterior surface. Glazed pottery types identified include monochrome turquoise, creamy white, and a specimen with splash glaze. Among these, the unglazed painted wares attributed to the Middle Islamic centuries were the most abundant. Other artifacts documented include stone objects such as pendants, mortars, grinding stones, door sockets, and braziers; carved shell items; a bronze handle fragment; a frit bead with turquoise glaze; an agate bead; and fragments of brown, green, and white glass. Let me know if you'd like this adapted for publication or academic presentation.
Keywords: Chamshir, Gachsaran, Sasanian and Islamic Architecture, Nomadism, Semi-Sedentary Settlement.
Introduction
The geographical characteristics and the natural and environmental resources of the region situated between the three provinces of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, Fars, and Bushehr have historically attracted human populations to this area. As a result, numerous permanent and seasonal settlements—dating from prehistoric times to the present day—have developed in the intermountain plains, valleys, and along the riversides of this region. Gachsaran County, as part of this broader geographical area, has served as a setting for the formation of many such settlements and habitations A review of historical geography sources indicates that “Gonbad-e Molghan,” “Gonbad-e Moljan,” or “Molajan” was the most significant urban center in this region (Ibn Khordadbeh, 1992: 38; Maqdisi, 2006: 647; Ibn Balkhi, 2006: 162; Mostowfi, 1983: 128; Hafez-e Abru, 1996, vol. 2: 141).However, modern development activities—such as oil and gas extraction and road construction—have threatened the integrity of many historical sites in the Gachsaran region. More recently, the construction and impoundment of the Chamshir Dam on the Zohreh River have posed a serious threat to the archaeological sites and historical remains in the area. Consequently, archaeological investigations aimed at salvaging and documenting the endangered sites within the Chamshir Dam reservoir zone have become increasingly necessary. Site No. 106 is one such settlement located within the dam's inundation area. It was prioritized for rescue excavation as part of the broader archaeological study of the reservoir basin. Excavation at the site was carried out over a 35-day period, from May 26 to June 29, 2022. The primary objective of this field project was to carry out salvage operations in response to the dam’s construction and to systematically document the movable and immovable archaeological evidence at the site.
 
Discussion
Gachsaran County, covering an area of approximately 4,683 square kilometers, is located in the southern part of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province. The landscape of the Chamshir Dam basin, situated in the Imamzadeh Jafar rural district in the southeastern section of the county, reflects a combination of semi-mountainous and plain environments. Despite the presence of low hills across much of the region, it is classified climatically as a hot semi-arid area, characterized by extremely hot summers and mild winters (Khazaei & Avand, 2021: 104). Accordingly, Site 106 is situated within this hot and semi-arid climatic zone. The site under investigation is located within the Chamshir Dam reservoir area, on the southern bank of the Zohreh River, in the Imamzadeh Jafar rural district of the Central District of Gachsaran County, in the eastern part of the county. As part of the salvage excavation plan for Site 106, a total area of 80 hectares in the Cham Khaneqoli area was surveyed, taking into account topography, natural features, and land modifications for agricultural use. Following the documentation of surface evidence, five trenches were excavated. Four of these, designated T1 to T4, were placed on the highest remaining mound at the site—Mound No. 1—while the fifth trench, T5, was opened on one of the largest mounds—Mound No. 2 (see Figures 5 to 7). The initial dimensions of each trench were 5 × 5 meters. After identifying architectural features, three additional extension trenches, each measuring 1 × 5 meters, were added along the eastern sides of T1 and T4, and the western side of T5, to better understand the architectural plan. The excavation and documentation were carried out using the context recording method. Excavations in these four trenches revealed architectural stone structures and spaces. Based on the sequence of construction, depth of features, building techniques, variations in wall thickness, construction materials, and associated cultural layers, two distinct architectural periods were identified. The earlier period itself was further divided into two sub-phases. In addition, various types of both unglazed and glazed pottery, along with other cultural artifacts, were recovered during the excavations.
Conclusion
Archaeological excavation in the five trenches at Site 106 of Chamshir led to the discovery of stone architectural structures, pottery sherds, and other cultural materials. The architectural remains, based on the sequence of construction, the depth of structural features, building techniques, wall thickness variations, types of construction materials, and the cultural content of the corresponding layers, indicate two distinct architectural periods. The first period consists of cobblestone architecture with gypsum mortar and plaster, attributed to the Sasanian era, and is further subdivided into two construction phases. Considering the cultural evidence from the site and the region’s geographical features, this phase appears to be associated with a small seasonal settlement or possibly a daskareh (rural estate) from the Sasanian period. The presence of two ossuaries carved into the rock, located approximately 90 to 100 meters south of the excavation area, also supports the interpretation of a Sasanian settlement at the site. The second period reflects semi-sedentary architecture from the Middle Islamic centuries, built with lower-quality craftsmanship using irregular cobblestones and mud mortar. This represents a form of vernacular, locally adapted architecture. These semi-sedentary groups likely constituted the dominant population of the Chamshir Dam basin during the Middle Islamic period. As such, Site 106 should be viewed as part of a broader network of interconnected temporary settlements in the region. Movable artifacts from the site include unglazed pottery, such as plain, incised, fluted, applied, stamped, rope-relief, and painted types (including pseudo-prehistoric or unglazed decorated ware), as well as a specimen bearing textile impressions on its outer surface. The glazed ceramics comprise monochrome turquoise, creamy-white, and a splash-glazed example. Among these, the unglazed painted ware, attributed to the Middle Islamic centuries, constitutes the majority of finds. Overall, the pottery assemblage—based on relative and comparative chronology—spans the Sasanian period to the Middle Islamic centuries. Other documented artifacts include stone objects such as pendants, mortars, grinding stones, door sockets, and braziers; a carved shell artifact; a bronze handle fragment; a turquoise-glazed frit bead; an agate bead; and fragments of brown, green, and white glass. These findings, along with other cultural evidence from the site, suggest a combination of uses: possibly as a rural estate or recreational retreat for elites during the Sasanian era, and later as a temporary settlement during the Middle Islamic period.