Tepe Sialk Ziggurat
Sialk Ziggurat · Tappeh Sialk Platform · Kashan Proto-Ziggurat
Proto-Elamite / Early Bronze (Sialk III–IV)·Proto-Elamite / Sialk Culture·🇮🇷 Isfahan Province, Kashan, Tepe Sialk, Iran
About
About Tepe Sialk Ziggurat
Earliest proto-ziggurat platform on Iranian plateau at Tepe Sialk near Kashan — high terrace of Sialk III period (c. 3000–2900 BCE) with later mudbrick ziggurat/platform tradition continuing to Iron Age cemetery. Excavated by Roman Ghirshman 1933–38, showing 4 occupation levels Sialk I–IV, with massive mudbrick platform with niched façade and seal impressions linking to Proto-Elamite writing and Mesopotamian Jemdet Nasr. Chalcolithic/Bronze transition town with ziggurat-like high temple precinct precursor to true Mesopotamian ziggurats.
Why it mattersIran's earliest monumental platform links Central Plateau to Mesopotamian urbanism; Proto-Elamite tablets at Sialk bridge writing diffusion.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Whether true ziggurat or high terrace
- 02Proto-Elamite vs Mesopotamian Jemdet Nasr derivation
Theories
- 01Indigenous plateau development parallel to Ubaid/Uruk massifs
- 02Migration/influence from Susa/Anshan network
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. 3000–2900 BCE (Sialk III)
- Period
- Proto-Elamite / Early Bronze (Sialk III–IV)
- Culture
- Proto-Elamite / Sialk Culture
- Builders
- Proto-Elamite builders
- Purpose
- High temple platform and administrative centre
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 3000–2900 BCE (Sialk III)
Initial construction
c. 1129 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
33.9689° N · 51.4047° E · 1020 m · 3 mapped features
Sialk South mound platform
platformHigh terrace with niched façade
33.9690° N · 51.4048° ENorth mound cemetery
cemeteryIron Age cemetery above Bronze levels
33.9692° N · 51.4045° EGhirshman trench
trench1930s excavation trench
33.9688° N · 51.4047° E