Tepe Sialk

Tappe Sialk ( Tappe is the Persian form of Tepe / stairs lead: "hill" ) is the name of two mounds in Iran three kilometers southwest of Kashan. The settlements are located near the fin - garden with its abundant water sources, drawing people since time immemorial.

In French excavations under the direction of Roman Ghirshman 1933 to 1938 in the northern, older Tappe Sialk A Stampflehmhäuser from the 6th millennium BC and mud-brick houses have been found dating from the 5th and 4th millennium. From the 3rd millennium originate proto- Elamite writing tablets, cylinder seals and ceramics. The younger Tappe Sialk B consists of a terrace system from the 3rd millennium BC and separately located cemeteries in the south. The settlement was abandoned for about a millennium and was settled mid-2nd millennium of new immigrant Indo-European peoples again. The finds from this period come mainly from the necropolis, with their grave goods, among others, bridles and painted cans were found. They belong to the group of Luristanbronzen. Since they were found in situ, they are important for the creation of a scheme of Luristanbronzen that otherwise usually come from the black market.

In recent years, the excavations of Iranian archaeologists were continued. It was found that the ziggurat about from the time around 2900 BC originates, ie about 800 years older than the ziggurat of the moon god Nanna in Ur. It also metal slag were found that were investigated by the Archäometallurgen of Freiberg. Evidence excavations of the German Archaeological Institute in the prehistoric settlement Arisman 60 km southeast of Tappe Sialk that the smelting of copper ores in the central Iranian plateau began in the 5th millennium BC.