Distribution of Iron Age Castles in Meshgin Chai River basin

Meshgin Chai basin in the middle part of Ardabil province with its rich crops, favorable climate and the communication route of different ethnic groups in the Iron Age witnessed the increase of important settlements such as the great Qezil Qiyah castle. This castle is one of the most important central sites in the region, which has been linearly connected with its satellite castles on the banks of the Rivers. The main question of this research is proposed as follows : What is the relationship between the satellite castles and the Qezil Qiyah castle and how are the region and extra-regional cultural relations ? According to the findings of the research, the communication of Qezil Qiyah Castle with each of the satellite sites was made through the valleys, which Provided security and subsistence economy of these castles, next it had communication in the region with ahmad Biglou dam, Khosrow Castle, Khoda afrin, Khorram Abad, and in the extra-region other important central castles and their contemporary sites, such as Geoy Tepe, Kol Tepe, Dinkhah, Haftavan, Oghlan Qal-e and Kazanchi. The present research aims to determine the type of regional and extra-regional communication between these castles through the similarities and exchanges of cultural data between them, including pottery, as well as the typology of Iron Age pottery. The present research method is descriptive-analytical based on the results of field surveys, archeological methodical sampling and library comparisons.