Tall-i Bakun
Bakun · Tall-i Bakun A · Fars Bakun
Chalcolithic (c.4200–3500 BCE; Bakun B–A 4200–3700)·Bakun (Fars Chalcolithic, Ubaid-related)·🇮🇷 Fars Province, Marv Dasht, Iran
About
About Tall-i Bakun
Tall-i Bakun (Mound A, Fars) is the type-site of Bakun Chalcolithic (c.4200–3700 BCE) — elaborate black-on-buff painted ware with ibex and geometric motifs, sealings (earliest in Fars), and copper production hint. Herzfeld/Schmidt excavations revealed three mounds (A painted, B earlier) with kilns and early administrative tokens, linking Fars to Susiana and Mesopotamian Ubaid interaction.
Why it mattersType-site Bakun Chalcolithic — Fars–Susiana painted ware; earliest Fars sealing.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Bakun–Ubaid relation — trade or migration?
Theories
- 01Bakun local development (Alizadeh)
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.4200 BCE
- Period
- Chalcolithic (c.4200–3500 BCE; Bakun B–A 4200–3700)
- Culture
- Bakun (Fars Chalcolithic, Ubaid-related)
- Builders
- Bakun potters
- Purpose
- Settlement and ceremonial centre
- Abandoned
- c.3500 BCE
- Rediscovered
- 1928 (Ernst Herzfeld / Erich Schmidt)
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.4200 BCE
Bakun B village with early painted ware
c.4000 BCE
Bakun A peak — black-on-buff ibex kilns
1928
Herzfeld/Schmidt excavate Bakun A
On the ground
Structures & features
29.8500° N · 52.8800° E · 1600 m · 3 mapped features
Bakun A Painted Kiln Quarter
industrialBlack-on-buff kilns with ibex motif wasters and painted sherds
29.8503° N · 52.8802° EBakun Sealing Deposit and Storage
archiveEarly clay sealings on jars — earliest Fars administration
29.8497° N · 52.8802° EBakun B Early Village Horizon
settlementEarlier Bakun B village with Ubaid-related plain ware
29.8505° N · 52.8796° E