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LONDON, (CAIS) -- By discovery of another 29 historical hills in the vicinity of the Burnt City (Shahr-e Sukhteh), the number of satellite villages in this 5000-year old historical city reached to 166. This is while until 30 years ago and during the archeological excavations by the Italian team, only 40 satellite villages had been identified. Currently, archeologists have reached to the borders of Iran and Afghanistan and they are anticipating the possible discovery of more satellite villages in the perimeters of Afghanistan, once part of Iran.

“Despite the scorching hot weather which got to 50 degrees Celsius sometimes, we continued the excavations to the border of Iran and Afghanistan and succeeded in identifying 29 more historical hills and satellite villages in the vicinity of the Burnt City. The trend of excavations shows a remarkable speed. Almost 10 historical hills and areas were discovered and announced every week to be registered in the list of provincial council,” said Alireza Khosravi, head of the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Office of the Burnt City.

Prior to this, 137 archeological hills had been discovered in the vicinity of this historical city by the excavation team of Burnt City. Archeologists believe that these discovered hills should have been villages which were inhabited by people during the ancient times.

Khosravi believes that as it was predicted before, the recent discoveries show that the extent of the Burnt City went beyond Iran’s borders and the traces of which can be found in Afghanistan if the excavations continue.

The recent discovered areas are located at 6 to 8 kilometers of the Burnt City and the discovered clays and other cultural objects show a similarity with those which had previously been found in this historic site.

Located 57 kilometers from Zabol in Sistan va Baluchestan province, the Burnt City covers an area of 180 hectares and was one of the world’s largest cities in the third millennium BCEfounded in 3200 BCE. 

Historical evidence shows that the city experienced four stages of civilization and was burnt down three times, which is why it is called “Shahr-e Sukhteh" (Burnt City). Archeologists are now certain that the inhabitants of the ancient city were highly skilled in textile-weaving, painting on dishes, and stonecutting, and also enjoyed a varied diet. The images of a wild-goat (Persian desert ibex) on an earthen goblet which portray the goat jumping toward a tree and eating its leaves in different positions found in Burnt City is known to be the first animation design in the world.

Still the fate of the inhabitants of the Burnt City and whether they migrated elsewhere or somehow mysteriously died in this city have remained unanswered to this date.

“Some of the discovered areas during these excavations belong to the time after the destruction of the Burnt City. Probably the inhabitants of the Burnt City migrated to these places after their city could no longer be inhabited,” said Khosravi.

Archeological evidence revealed that Burnt City was an important center of civilization and trade some 5000 years ago. Situated in the heart of Iran’s eastern desert, Burnt City is regarded as a crucial historical site in the eastern Iranian Plateau. The remnants of the ancient city which have been studied so far during nine backgammon which is believed to be the most ancient one of its kind in the world.

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