A Reappraisal of the Chronology of the Chalcolithic Period in SE Iran: Absolute and Relative Chronology of Tepe Dehno and Tepe East Dehno, Shahdad

A critical reassessment of the Chalcolithic chronology in southeastern Iran reveals that the period spans from the early 5th to the early 3rd millennium BCE, challenging long-standing assumptions based on outdated excavations. This study presents 10 new radiocarbon dates from Tepe Dehno and Tepe East Dehno, located near Shahdad, which define three distinct occupation phases (Dehno I-III) with precise temporal boundaries. Dehno I (4250–4000 BCE), the earliest phase, is followed by Dehno II (3700–3300 BCE), linked to the Aliabad culture, and Dehno III (3200–2900/2800 BCE), a previously undocumented period. These findings, derived from Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) analysis of charcoal samples, provide a more accurate chronological framework for the region, addressing gaps in knowledge that have been overlooked due to a historical focus on Bronze Age urban centers.

Eskandari, N.,. (2018). A Reappraisal of the Chronology of the Chalcolithic Period in SE Iran: Absolute and Relative Chronology of Tepe Dehno and Tepe East Dehno, Shahdad. Journal of Research on Archaeometry, 4(1), 23–35. https://doi.org/10.29252/jra.4.1.23