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 This study employs an interdisciplinary methodology to identify and geographically correlate historical references and terminologies associated with the lake.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
reply
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
reply
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
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