Historical Background of Paleo Mega Lake of Rey

Abstract. Over the past decade, a vast ancient Lake has been discovered in the central region of Iran, known as the Paleo Mega Lake of Rey (PAMELA). Considering that the presence of water in the lake coincides with the existence of human civilizations in the region, it is expected that references to this lake may be found in ancient Iranian texts. In this paper, we aim to meticulously examine the provided data while accurately pinpointing the geographical locations, names, and relevant regions connected to this lake. For this purpose, the majority of historical texts, travelogues, city histories, royal biographies, and other available sources have been reviewed. In general, with reference to the mentioned historical texts, it becomes evident that in many ancient texts, the PAMLEA has been mentioned by names like the Faraxkurt Lake and Saveh Lake. Numerous ancient sites and structures in the vicinity of the lake have been identified. Additionally, significant data related to periods when the lake was filled with water has been acquired. Consequently, there is no longer any room for uncertainty regarding the presence of the lake during the era when humans resided in the territory of Iran.