Tepe Pardis
تپه پردیس · Teppe Pardis · Tepe Pardis, Tehran Plain
Transitional Chalcolithic to Late Chalcolithic (c.5300–3400 BCE)·Cheshmeh Ali → Pardis Transitional Chalcolithic → Late Chalcolithic·🇮🇷 Tehran Province, Varamin Plain, Qeytariyeh southeast, Iran
About
About Tepe Pardis
Low mound on Varamin Plain southeast of Tehran, excavated by Fazeli Nashli and Coningham since 2004. Twelve two-chamber updraft kilns (5300 BCE) with wasters of Cheshmeh Ali red-black painted ware — earliest sophisticated pottery production centre on north Central Plateau.
Why it mattersOnly Transitional Chalcolithic kiln centre on Tehran Plain — 5300 BCE two-chamber updraft kilns define Cheshmeh Ali ware production.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Kiln ownership — communal or specialized craftsmen?
Theories
- 01Fazeli craft specialization model for Tehran Plain
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Transitional Chalcolithic kiln centre c.5300 BCE
- Period
- Transitional Chalcolithic to Late Chalcolithic (c.5300–3400 BCE)
- Culture
- Cheshmeh Ali → Pardis Transitional Chalcolithic → Late Chalcolithic
- Builders
- Cheshmeh Ali communities
- Purpose
- Specialized pottery kiln centre with two-chamber updraft kilns producing Cheshmeh Ali ware
- Rediscovered
- Modern archaeological survey/ rescue
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.5300 BCE
First updraft kilns built
c.4600 BCE
Peak Cheshmeh Ali production
2004
Fazeli/British-Iranian excavation
c.3400 BCE
Late Chalcolithic grey ware transition
On the ground
Structures & features
35.3500° N · 51.7200° E · 1000 m · 3 mapped features
Tepe Pardis — East gate
wallKey sub-area of Tepe Pardis (Transitional Chalcolithic to Late Chalcolithic) showing Cheshmeh Ali horizon
35.3493° N · 51.7197° ETepe Pardis — West workshop
gateKey sub-area of Tepe Pardis (Transitional Chalcolithic to Late Chalcolithic) showing Cheshmeh Ali horizon
35.3501° N · 51.7203° ETepe Pardis — Ceremonial building
moundKey sub-area of Tepe Pardis (Transitional Chalcolithic to Late Chalcolithic) showing Cheshmeh Ali horizon
35.3509° N · 51.7209° E