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

The present study is based on the bioarchaeological analysis of animal and botanical remains from the QoliDarvish site in the Qom Plain, aiming to reconstruct the climate and subsistence economy of the communitiessettled in this region during the third and second millennia BCE. The dataset comprises over four thousand animalbone fragments recovered from the occupational layers of periods II to VI at the site. The identified animalsinclude domestic and wild herbivores, while identified botanical remains are mostly composed cereal. Taxonomicand 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 resultsof these studies suggest that, contrary to the present arid and desert-like landscape of the Qom Plain, the regionexperienced a relatively more humid climate during the investigated period sufficient to support herding andagricultural activities. Evidence of bone modifications reveals further details regarding human activities and theway ancient communities exploited environmental resources. This research highlights the significance of organicremains analysis in reconstructing past economy and understanding subsistence behaviours in prehistoric societies.

Keywords:

Bioarchaeology , Qom Plain , Qoli Darvish , Bronze Age , Subsistence , Climate Reconstruction