Shahr-e Sukhteh
Based on archeologists’ findings, Shahr-e Sukhteh is counted as one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Due to the outstanding historical capacities and high number of the discovered works, this city is a worthy site for archeologists and history lovers. On a trip to Shahr-e Sukhte, you will enter a large outdoor museum with a hidden treasure in every corner.
Although there are lots of historical attractions in this vast area, it has been abandoned compared with other Iranian sites. Hot and dry climate of Sistan and Baluchestan and lack of welfare services are some reasons for tourists not to pay enough attention to this site. This large urban settlement in the eastern half of the Iranian plateau is located 56 km from Zabol in Sistan and Baluchestan province.
Trip to Shahr-e Sukhte
This site is also called with other names, such as the city of art (Due to the discovery of outstanding works of art and handicrafts), and the city of science (due to the discovery of outstanding scientific works especially in medicine field). One of the most notable points about this city is the absence of towers and fortifications unlike the surrounding cities. It also did not have a gate, which shows the interaction of its inhabitants with the surrounding cities; the absence of weapons among the discovered devices confirms this fact. That’s why it is also called the city of peace. Shahr-e Sukhte is an intelligent and creative civilization with more than fifty thousand years old.
History of Shahr-e Sukhte
History of Shahr-e Sukhte dates back to over 5000 years; the civilization of this region is the same as the civilization of Jiroft and the Bronze Age. In this ancient city, between 3200 and 1800 BC, different periods of urbanization have been studied; as a result, based on the discoveries, the life of Shahr-e Sukhte has been divided into four periods, including the founding of the city, its growth and prosperity, the beginning of its decline, and the period of destruction. The city has an area of 151 hectares and dates back to 3200 BC. The first person who added “Sukhte” (burnt) suffix to its name was Colonel Beit who visited this ancient site during the Qajar period; due to the presence of ash around the hills of the city, he thought that these ashes were the remnants of a fire that caused the decline of an ancient civilization; however, some other archeologists believe that although two fires occurred in this city, the most important reasons for the decline of this brilliant civilization were the attack of immigrant tribes and the diversion of the Helmand River. The existence of ashes is believed to be due to many kilns that were active in the city because industry played a significant role in this city. Based on the discoveries, Shahr-e Sukhte was undoubtedly one of the most developed cities of that time. Some of the amazing improvements are:
- An artificial eye that belonged to a 25- to 30-year-old woman who was buried in one of the tombs of Shahr e Sukhte about 4800 years ago.
- With a brain surgery, doctors removed a part of a twelve- or thirteen-year-old girl’s skull and operated to treat hydrocephalus (fluid accumulation in the skull) about 4,800 years ago and she survived long after the operation.
- The world's oldest backgammon which is much older than the backgammon found in the Mesopotamian royal cemetery of Ur.
- The first animation in the world on an earthenware cup in which the artist was able to design a goat moving towards the tree and feeding on its leaves in 5 movements.
- The historical sites of Shahr-e Sukhte were registered on the list of national monuments of Iran in 2006 and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.
Tags: Sistan and baluchestan province, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Iran Historical Attractions, Sistan and Baluchestan Attractions, Historical Cities in Iran, Shahr-e Sukhteh
