Shahr-e Sukhteh (شهر سوخته) is one of the heritages of Iran which is located near Zabol (زابل) road to Zahedan (زاهدان) in Sistan & Baluchistan Province (سیستان و بلوچستان). Shahr-e Sukhteh is an ancient Iranian city that dates back more than 5000 years, like Rey.
Shahr-e Sukhteh civilization is one of the wonders of the ancient world. The city was built in 3200 B.C., and people lived in four eras between 3200-1800 B.C. The whole area of this city is almost 152 hectares, and it was built between the Hamoon (هامون) lake and Hirmand (هیرمند) river.
Iran Travel Guide Center invites you to read the article for tourists who travel to Iran.
The Hills of Shahr-e Sukhteh is divided into four zones:
- Central Region
- residential region
- industrial region
- graveyard region
Why did They call This City Shahr-e Sukhteh?
According to documents, this name (Shahr-e Sukhteh) dates back 150 years. This city was burnt twice: once at the initial level of its growth and the other at the moment of its destruction.
Also, signs of burning are found in this city; so this is why they named it Shahr-e Sukhteh, which means “Burned City.” This Iranian city was green and full of beautiful trees like maple, willow, and poplar.
Moreover, the Hamoon River was full of water, and there was a large area of canebrakes. It is said that this city was destroyed by wide environmental factors, climate changes, and changes in world trade.
How to Go to Shahr-e Sukhteh?
You have two choices:
First, a safe one is to take a tour from Tehran city, which includes visiting Zahedan and Zabol.
Second, you can take a train the main public transport from every Iranian city, and then take a bus to Zabol and visit this ancient Iranian city.
The Occupation of Shahr-e Sukhteh’s Inhabitants
Experts, after a lot of research, understood that one of the reasons that make this Iranian city famous is that the majority of people were experts in occupations like mosaic arts, weaving, pottery, gold smiting, wickerwork, farming, metalworking, animal husbandry, architecture, fishing, jewelry making, and management.
Shahr-e sukhteh, a City with a Global Reputation
It is said that in this city, every work had its own rule. For instance, buildings were built organized and stunning way. Moreover, to use water from rivers and lead it into houses and farmlands, they designed some paths, made clay pipes, and put them on these paths.
People who lived in this city were such experts in art and industry that they had a global reputation even after centuries. According to documents, they traded with Turkmenistan (ترکمنستان) and Dare-Punjab (دره پنجاب).
Amazing and Historical Attractions in Shahr-e Sukhteh
1. The first artificial eye in the world
For the first time, an artificial eye is found in the graveyard of this city which belongs to a woman who lived 4800 years ago!
2. Brain surgery
One of the most wonderful things discovered in this city is the oldest signs of brain surgery!
The skull of a 14-year-old girl was discovered in the city’s graveyard, which shows that doctors did brain surgery on her, and she was alive after this surgery for a period.
3. 5000-years-old ruler
A ruler with 10 C.M. length, which is accurate to 0.5 M from ebony, was discovered here. It means people who lived in this city had a lot of developments in mathematics.
4. The oldest backgammon in the world
The oldest backgammon in the world was discovered in the graveyard of Shahr-e Sukhteh, which is older than the one found in the royal cemetery in Mesopotamia.
This backgammon is from ebony, in the shape of a rectangle. Also, it has 60 playing marbles from turquoise(firooze/فیروزه), agate (aghigh/عقیق), and azure (lajevard/لاجورد).
5. First animation of the world
Archaeologists found a goblet (Jum/جام) with a goat and tree pattern. ،his pattern repeats five times, and if you put them near each other, you will understand that the goat moves and jumps on a tree and eats from the tree’s leaves. Documents show that this pattern is the oldest idea of ancient people for animation.
6. Jewelry trade
People in this city, like other societies, cared about beauty. One of the occupations in this city was jewelry making. Necklaces and bracelets in different colors from combinations of various stones like turquoise, azure, agate, and other rocks were discovered in the graveyard of this city. They were also exported to another Iranian town.
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