the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
| 04 Jun 2025
Historical Background of Paleo Mega Lake of Rey
Abstract. Over the past decade, geological and historical evidence has increasingly suggested the existence of a vast ancient lake in central Iran, herein referred to as the Paleo Mega Lake of Rey (PAMELA). This study employs an interdisciplinary methodology to identify and geographically correlate historical references and terminologies associated with the lake. By analyzing over 350 sources, including travelogues, city histories, and ancient religious texts, we reconstructed the probable location, hydrological timeline, and cultural impact of the lake. Findings suggest that PAMELA has been referenced by various historical names such as Faraxkurt and Saveh Lake, and that it significantly influenced the livelihood of ancient communities. The integrated analysis points to a high probability of sustained water presence between 10,000 BCE and the 6th century CE.
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CC1: 'Comment on hgss-2025-1', Mohsen Pourkermani, 11 Jul 2025
Dear Editor,
Greetings and regards.
I would like to sincerely thank you and the editorial board of the journal for the trust you have shown in selecting me as a reviewer for this manuscript.
Unfortunately, despite multiple attempts, I was unable to locate the dedicated reviewer submission section on the journal’s website to upload my comments there. Accordingly, I am providing my full formal evaluation below in this email.
Best regards,
Mohsen
1. General Evaluation of the ArticleThis manuscript, entitled Historical Background of Paleo Mega Lake of Rey presents a comprehensive and thorough investigation into the reconstruction of a large-scale, long-forgotten paleo-lacustrine system in central Iran. The author adopts a multidisciplinary approach, skillfully integrating geomorphological evidence, sedimentological data, historical textual sources, and remote sensing analyses to build a cohesive and well-substantiated narrative of the lake’s evolution throughout the Quaternary and Holocene periods.
The geographical scope of the study covers one of the most geologically and archaeologically significant regions in Iran, which considerably enhances the relevance and potential impact of this research. A notable strength of the article lies in its rigorous referencing of previous studies and its clear, critical comparison with international research, enabling readers to contextualize the contribution within the broader scientific landscape.
Furthermore, the clarity of the hypotheses, the precise definition of objectives, and the careful articulation of methods and interpretations reflect a high standard of scientific rigor. The manuscript follows the structural conventions of scholarly publications, including a well-structured introduction, literature review, methodology, results, and discussion and maintains a high level of readability and logical coherence. Overall, this work meets the criteria of scientific quality expected by leading journals in the fields of geosciences and environmental history.
2. Originality and Scientific ContributionThe primary innovation of this research lies in its integrated use of multiple, independent data sources and the development of a comparative framework to identify and characterize a major paleo-hydrological phenomenon at a regional scale. For the first time, the study convincingly establishes the existence of the Paleo Mega Lake of Rey (PAMELA) through a synthesis of geomorphological mapping, sedimentological observations, and corroborative historical records. This synthesis constitutes a significant step toward refining the paleogeographic understanding of the Iranian Plateau and may have important implications for reconstructing Holocene climatic variability and landscape evolution.
Another distinctive contribution is the analysis of the lake’s formation in relation to human settlement patterns and the distribution of ancient cultural landscapes. By demonstrating how environmental changes influenced the emergence and decline of habitation zones, the study offers fresh perspectives that bridge geological inquiry and archaeological interpretation. The application of hydrological scenario modeling and the assessment of long-term tectonic and seismic impacts further underscore the originality of this work dimensions rarely combined in previous research on this region.
Ultimately, the methodological framework presented here can serve as a valuable reference for scholars undertaking similar reconstructions in other arid or semi-arid basins worldwide. The work not only enriches scientific understanding but also exemplifies a practical model for cross-disciplinary collaboration and integrative environmental history.
3. Recommendation for the EditorGiven the breadth of the topic, the methodological rigor, the wealth of documentation, and the clarity of the narrative, I consider this manuscript to be a substantial and valuable contribution suitable for publication in the journal. The author has successfully harnessed robust, well-referenced evidence to articulate a compelling and innovative account of paleo-environmental dynamics in a region of both geological and cultural importance.
In terms of originality, the manuscript demonstrates a high level of scholarly novelty and offers significant potential to inform future studies at national and regional levels. The writing and structure also meet the professional standards expected of high-impact publications, with no substantive or technical deficiencies requiring revision. This work is likely to become an important reference for specialists in geology, archaeology, and environmental history alike.
Accordingly, I strongly recommend this manuscript for publication in its current form, without the need for revisions. I am confident that its inclusion in the journal will enhance the publication’s scientific profile and engage a broad readership across disciplines.
Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-2025-1-CC1 -
RC1: 'Comment on hgss-2025-1', Mohsen Pourkermani, 15 Jul 2025
Dear Editor,
Greetings and regards.
I would like to sincerely thank you and the editorial board of the journal for the trust you have shown in selecting me as a reviewer for this manuscript.
Unfortunately, despite multiple attempts, I was unable to locate the dedicated reviewer submission section on the journal’s website to upload my comments there. Accordingly, I am providing my full formal evaluation below in this email.
Best regards,
Mohsen
1. General Evaluation of the ArticleThis manuscript, entitled Historical Background of Paleo Mega Lake of Rey presents a comprehensive and thorough investigation into the reconstruction of a large-scale, long-forgotten paleo-lacustrine system in central Iran. The author adopts a multidisciplinary approach, skillfully integrating geomorphological evidence, sedimentological data, historical textual sources, and remote sensing analyses to build a cohesive and well-substantiated narrative of the lake’s evolution throughout the Quaternary and Holocene periods.
The geographical scope of the study covers one of the most geologically and archaeologically significant regions in Iran, which considerably enhances the relevance and potential impact of this research. A notable strength of the article lies in its rigorous referencing of previous studies and its clear, critical comparison with international research, enabling readers to contextualize the contribution within the broader scientific landscape.
Furthermore, the clarity of the hypotheses, the precise definition of objectives, and the careful articulation of methods and interpretations reflect a high standard of scientific rigor. The manuscript follows the structural conventions of scholarly publications, including a well-structured introduction, literature review, methodology, results, and discussion and maintains a high level of readability and logical coherence. Overall, this work meets the criteria of scientific quality expected by leading journals in the fields of geosciences and environmental history.
2. Originality and Scientific ContributionThe primary innovation of this research lies in its integrated use of multiple, independent data sources and the development of a comparative framework to identify and characterize a major paleo-hydrological phenomenon at a regional scale. For the first time, the study convincingly establishes the existence of the Paleo Mega Lake of Rey (PAMELA) through a synthesis of geomorphological mapping, sedimentological observations, and corroborative historical records. This synthesis constitutes a significant step toward refining the paleogeographic understanding of the Iranian Plateau and may have important implications for reconstructing Holocene climatic variability and landscape evolution.
Another distinctive contribution is the analysis of the lake’s formation in relation to human settlement patterns and the distribution of ancient cultural landscapes. By demonstrating how environmental changes influenced the emergence and decline of habitation zones, the study offers fresh perspectives that bridge geological inquiry and archaeological interpretation. The application of hydrological scenario modeling and the assessment of long-term tectonic and seismic impacts further underscore the originality of this work dimensions rarely combined in previous research on this region.
Ultimately, the methodological framework presented here can serve as a valuable reference for scholars undertaking similar reconstructions in other arid or semi-arid basins worldwide. The work not only enriches scientific understanding but also exemplifies a practical model for cross-disciplinary collaboration and integrative environmental history.
3. Recommendation for the EditorGiven the breadth of the topic, the methodological rigor, the wealth of documentation, and the clarity of the narrative, I consider this manuscript to be a substantial and valuable contribution suitable for publication in the journal. The author has successfully harnessed robust, well-referenced evidence to articulate a compelling and innovative account of paleo-environmental dynamics in a region of both geological and cultural importance.
In terms of originality, the manuscript demonstrates a high level of scholarly novelty and offers significant potential to inform future studies at national and regional levels. The writing and structure also meet the professional standards expected of high-impact publications, with no substantive or technical deficiencies requiring revision. This work is likely to become an important reference for specialists in geology, archaeology, and environmental history alike.
Accordingly, I strongly recommend this manuscript for publication in its current form, without the need for revisions. I am confident that its inclusion in the journal will enhance the publication’s scientific profile and engage a broad readership across disciplines.
Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-2025-1-RC1 -
AC2: 'Reply on RC1', Hadi Jarahi, 05 Aug 2025
Dear Reviewer,
I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your generous, thoughtful, and detailed review of the manuscript entitled Historical Background of Paleo Mega Lake of Rey. Your recognition of the interdisciplinary nature of this study, bridging geomorphology, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, and historical geography, is deeply appreciated.
I am especially encouraged by your comments highlighting the originality of the research, the robustness of the data synthesis, and the scientific clarity of the methodological framework. Your recommendation for publication without revisions is a tremendous endorsement that reinforces the validity and potential impact of this work within the broader scientific community.
Your observation regarding the international applicability of the framework used in this study is particularly motivating, and I am grateful for your recognition of its contribution to both geological and cultural discourse.
Thank you again for your time, generosity, and support.
Best wishes,
Hadi
Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-2025-1-AC2
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AC2: 'Reply on RC1', Hadi Jarahi, 05 Aug 2025
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RC2: 'Comment on hgss-2025-1', Saed Moghimi, 04 Aug 2025
Dear Editor,
I am writing to share my evaluation of the manuscript entitled Historical Background of Paleo Mega Lake of Rey. Overall, this work is a highly original and interdisciplinary contribution, combining geomorphological evidence, paleoclimatic data, and historical textual analysis to reconstruct the spatial and temporal dynamics of a significant ancient lake system in Iran. The writing is clear, the methodology is thoughtfully designed, and the findings will be of interest to a broad audience of Quaternary scientists and historians.
I have provided a set of detailed comments highlighting the manuscript’s strengths and suggesting minor improvements. In particular, I commend the authors for their integrated timeline in Figure 2, which synthesizes diverse data streams very effectively. To further enhance the value of this figure, I recommend including a supplementary appendix table containing the underlying chronological and bibliographic information, so that readers can examine the supporting evidence in more detail.
Thank you for the opportunity to review this thoughtful and well-crafted manuscript.
Best regards
SaedStrengths Summary
This manuscript offers a highly original and methodologically sophisticated contribution to Quaternary paleoenvironmental research in Iran. Notably, it synthesizes a wide range of evidence historical texts, geomorphological observations, paleoclimatic data, and satellite-derived elevation models to reconstruct the spatio-temporal dynamics of the Paleo Mega Lake of Rey (PAMELA). The integration of over 350 historical sources, including Zoroastrian cosmological literature and Islamic historiography, represents an unprecedented historiographical effort, advancing our understanding of how environmental memory intersects with geological reality. Moreover, the author demonstrates careful attention to semantic precision by systematically extracting environmental lexemes and correlating them with geomorphic and climatological indicators, thus enhancing the analytical rigor of the work. The paper is also commendable for its clear structure, logical progression, and highly readable prose. From a language standpoint, the manuscript shows strong command of academic English, with fluent grammar and minimal errors, making it accessible to a broad scholarly audience. Overall, this study exemplifies interdisciplinary research at its best and provides a compelling model for reconstructing paleolake systems through the convergence of textual and scientific data.
Suggestions:
The integrated timeline presented in Figure 2 is particularly commendable for its clarity and its successful synthesis of climatic, geological, and historical datasets. To further enhance its utility for readers, it would be beneficial to include a supplementary appendix table listing the underlying data points and references in detail. This would allow interested researchers to trace the specific chronological and bibliographic sources behind each event depicted in the figure.Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-2025-1-RC2 -
AC1: 'Reply on RC2', Hadi Jarahi, 05 Aug 2025
Dear Reviewer,
Thank you very much for your thoughtful and encouraging feedback. We deeply appreciate your recognition of the interdisciplinary nature and methodological precision of our study, as well as your insightful suggestion regarding the integrated timeline (Figure 2).
In response to your recommendation, we have prepared a supplementary Appendix Table (Appendix A) that provides the chronological range and corresponding scholarly references for each entry included in Figure 2. The tables are organized into four categories: (1) Major Holocene Climate Events, (2) Cultural/Technological Periods, (3) Archaeological Sites, and (4) Dynastic Sequences. This addition aims to enhance the transparency and reproducibility of our synthesis and to support readers who may wish to engage more deeply with specific chronological nodes or cultural transitions mentioned in the timeline.
Thank you again for your generous and constructive review.
Best regards,
Hadi
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AC1: 'Reply on RC2', Hadi Jarahi, 05 Aug 2025
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EC1: 'Comment on hgss-2025-1', Maurits Ertsen, 03 Sep 2025
Given the very positive reviews, it looks like this text is a good fit to the journal. As a relative outsider to the discussions, I would like to suggest that the author tries to open the topic and the significance of the results to a wider audience. As the text stands now, the introduction is extremely brief and the second paragraph only dedicated to very specific sources and discussions. it would be beneficial for the readers to know a little bit more about the general debates and studies on ancient lakes (also those outside Iran), about how Iranian studies are positioned in the wider scholarly context, and whether the methods that are used in the text are also used elsewhere (or could be used elsewhere). In summary, the specific case is quite clear, but the contextualization of the work should be strengthened.
Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-2025-1-EC1
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