Burnt City's Recent Discoveries in Iran’s National Museum

17 October 2005

For the first time ever, some of the unique articles discovered in Iran’s Burnt City will be displayed in the National Museum of Iran.

Following the study of the discovered bowl of the Burnt City with an animation of a wild goat (Capra Aegagrus also known as 'Persian desert Ibex') in the National Museum of Iran, experts have come to the conclusion that regarding the importance of the discovered articles of this historical site, and the necessity for introducing them, it will be better to display some of these articles in the National Museum of Iran.

Burnt City is one of the key historical sites of Iran, located in the south eastern province of Sistan-va-Baluchistan; the city has had booming times in trade and culture about 5000 years ago, and is considered one of the important civilizations of the world.

The first archaeological excavations over there were carried out by Italians, followed later on by Iranians. The site has so far undergone more than 8 seasons of excavations, which has led to the discovery of some interesting articles such as the oldest backgammon of the world, the first animated feature of the world, and some edible seeds such as caraway, wheat, barley, grape, corm, and garlic.

“Considering the various unique articles discovered in the historical site of Burnt City which have not been displayed so far, an exhibition will be held accompanied by published information of the articles,” says Mohamad Reza Kargar, director of the National Museum of Iran.

Since more studies are still needed, the exact time for holding the exhibition has not yet been announced. The articles which are supposed to be displayed in the exhibition will be selected from the collections stored at the National Museum of Iran, Zahedan Museum, and the Research Center of the Burnt City.

Archaeologists believe that a huge fire or the diversion of Hirmand River’s basin has caused the city to be abandoned by its inhabitants.