Vegetation Dynamic of Southern Sistan during the Bronze Age: Anthracological Studies at Shahr-i Sokhta

Abstract

To recognize the dynamic of vegetation in eastern Iran as well as to ascertain interactions of human societies with their<br />environment, the present study is carried out on charcoal samples collected from Shahr-i Sokhta dated back to the Bronze Age.<br />This research will present two different vegetal formations used by the inhabitants of Shahr-i Sokhta: riparian formation<br />with species such as tamarisk <em>(Tamarix</em>) and willow <em>(Salix</em>) and steppe taxa like Chenopodiaceae and saltwort (<em>Salsola</em>).<br />By comparing charcoal data with those of present flora, certain changes concerning the vegetation structure in this part of<br />Iran have been identified. These changes are best explained in terms of anthropogenic or environmental factors. The major<br />presence of riparian taxa in the studied samples indicates that Sistan had favorable environmental conditions in the third<br />millennium B. C. The study also concludes that the ancient vegetation of southern delta of Sistan have been relatively<br />richer than the existing situation.