Shahr-e Sukhteh

Shahr-e Sukhteh
شهر سوخته
Location in Iran
Location in Iran
Location in Iran
Location in Iran
Location in Iran
Shahr-e Sukhteh (West and Central Asia)
LocationSistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran
RegionSistan
Coordinates30°35′43″N 61°19′35″E / 30.59528°N 61.32639°E / 30.59528; 61.32639
History
Founded3550 BC
Abandoned2300 BC
PeriodsLate Chalcolithic, Bronze Age
CulturesHelmand culture
Site notes
ConditionIn ruins
Public accessyes (08:00–19:00)
Official nameShahr-i Sokhta
TypeCultural
Criteriaii, iii, iv
Designated2014 (38th session)
Reference no.1456
RegionAsia-Pacific

Shahr-e Sukhteh (Persian: شهر سوخته, meaning "Burnt City"), c. 3550–2300 BC,[1] also spelled as Shahr-e Sūkhté and Shahr-i Sōkhta, is an archaeological site of a sizable Bronze Age urban settlement, associated with the Helmand culture. It is located in Sistan and Baluchistan Province, the southeastern part of Iran, on the bank of the Helmand River, near the Zahedan-Zabol road. It was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in June 2014.[2][3]

Plaque identifying Shahr-e Sukhteh registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The reasons for the unexpected rise and fall of the city are still wrapped in mystery. Artifacts recovered from the city demonstrate a peculiar incongruity with nearby civilizations of the time and it has been speculated that Shahr-e Sukhteh might ultimately provide concrete evidence of a civilization east of prehistoric Iran that was independent of ancient Mesopotamia.

Proto-Elamite Tablets from Shahr-i Sokhta
  1. ^ Ascalone, E., and P. F. Fabbri, (2022). "Demographic considerations regarding the settlement and necropolis of Shahr i Sokhta", in: E. Ascalone and S.M.S. Sajjadi (eds.), Excavations and Researches at Shahr-i Sokhta 2 (= ERSS 2), Pishin Pajouh, Tehran, pp. 524, 525.
  2. ^ "Shahr-i Sokhta". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. UNESCO. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  3. ^ "Twenty six new properties added to World Heritage List at Doha meeting". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. UNESCO. Retrieved 7 May 2017.