Associate

Abbas Alizadeh is Research Associate Professor of Iranian Archaeology and Director of the Iranian Prehistoric Project at the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures. A leading specialist in the archaeology of prehistoric and ancient Iran, he has conducted extensive archaeological excavations and surveys across Iran, Iraq, Anatolia, and the Levant, with particular focus on the development of early complex societies, settlement systems, craft production, and the long-term history of human communities in southwestern Iran.

Alizadeh’s work has made major contributions to the study of Iranian prehistory, including research at Chogha Bonut, Chogha Mish, Tall-e Bakun, and other important sites. Through fieldwork, publication, teaching, and collaboration with Iranian colleagues and institutions, he has helped document and preserve archaeological evidence central to understanding the emergence of village life, social complexity, and early state formation in the ancient Middle East.

Across his career, Alizadeh has also played an important role in fostering international scholarly collaboration and training new generations of archaeologists. His work reflects ISAC’s long-standing commitment to rigorous field research, cultural heritage preservation, and the study of ancient societies through sustained collaboration across regions, disciplines, and institutions.