Tepe Sialk — South Mound Burial Terrace (Kashan)
تپه سیلک · Sialk S Terrace
Chalcolithic to Bronze Age (4500–1200 BCE)·Chalcolithic–Early Bronze·🇮🇷 Isfahan, Kashan, Tepe Sialk, Iran
About
About Tepe Sialk — South Mound Burial Terrace (Kashan)
Tepe Sialk — South Mound Burial Terrace (Kashan) in Isfahan, Kashan, Tepe Sialk, Iran is a Chalcolithic to Bronze Age (4500–1200 BCE) tell attributed to Chalcolithic–Early Bronze. Systematic survey and photogrammetry document radiocarbon sequence. The site includes a principal platform and ancillary necropolis. Dimensions mound 120 m × 90 m × 18 m high; deposit 20 m thick; area 24.7 ha. Excavation excavated; condition preserved. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Chalcolithic–Early Bronze tell with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 990 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
- 02Function and labor organization
Theories
- 01Territorial marker
- 02Elite residence hypothesis
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. 4000–3500 BCE
- Period
- Chalcolithic to Bronze Age (4500–1200 BCE)
- Culture
- Chalcolithic–Early Bronze
- Purpose
- Multi-period tell settlement with stratified architecture
- Rediscovered
- 1910
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 4000–3500 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 917 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1928
Modern rediscovery and excavation
c. 1451 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
33.9800° N · 51.4100° E · 990 m · 3 mapped features
Mound Summit Sanctuary
sanctuaryMound Summit Sanctuary at Tepe Sialk — South Mound Burial Terrace (Kashan) — sanctuary with stratified deposits
33.9821° N · 51.4109° ELower Town Insula
insulaLower Town Insula at Tepe Sialk — South Mound Burial Terrace (Kashan) — insula with stratified deposits
33.9816° N · 51.4105° EFortification Wall
wallFortification Wall at Tepe Sialk — South Mound Burial Terrace (Kashan) — wall with stratified deposits
33.9784° N · 51.4120° E