Yarim Tepe (Iran)

Yarim Tepe is a significant Neolithic settlement located in the Gorgan plain of Golestan Province, Iran. First explored in 1963, the site has provided crucial insights into the cultural chronology of the Neolithic period in Central Asia. The settlement is known for its Jeitun-like ceramics, which have been identified in the earliest horizon of the site, termed as 'Yarim Neolithic.' This ceramic tradition has parallels with nearby sites such as Tureng Tepe and Hotu cave, indicating cultural interactions across the region. The early stage of Yarim I is dated to around 5200 BCE. Yarim Tepe also shows a transition to the Chalcolithic period, with a distinct gap between the Djeitun-ware levels and subsequent gray-ware levels. The site's study contributes to the understanding of early human settlement patterns and cultural developments in northeastern Iran.