Dating early northern Persian Gulf cultures: Chronological insights from Toll-e Sohzu, Bushehr Province, Iran

Abstract Archaeological research along the northern coasts of the Persian Gulf, has been intermittently conducted for several decades. However, frequent and prolonged interruptions have impeded the production of consistent and reliable results for both Prehistoric and Historical era. Despite the implementation of numerous archaeological surveys in Bushehr Province, the outcomes of these investigations have, regrettably, not been adequately published. In recent years, a series of archaeological projects have revealed that human communities inhabited the northern shores of the Persian Gulf as early as seven thousand years ago. These communities not only settled in the area but also exploited marine resources. Precise information regarding settlement patterns during the fifth millennium BCE remains limited. However, architectural evidence from the fourth millennium BCE ascertains the emergence of permanent settlements in this region. By the historical and Islamic periods, these areas had become fully and continuously inhabited. Toll-e Sohzu, a significant prehistoric site located in the Dashtestan District of Bushehr Province, offers valuable insights into these early communities. Based on stratigraphic excavations (Trench A) and radiocarbon ( 14 C) analyses, the site was occupied from the late fifth to the mid-fourth millennium BCE. The material culture suggests interactions with the interior regions of Fars and southwestern Iran, as well as evidence of sustained exploitation of marine resources. Two primary cultural phases have been identified at Toll-e Sohzu: the Bakun phase (Chalcolithic period) and the Lapui phase (Early Urbanization period), both of which contribute significantly to our understanding of the region’s prehistoric development.