Jiroft Ancient Civilization

Jiroft objects' motifs
Some animal motifs on the ancient Jiroft objects
Jiroft Ancient Civilization and Mounds
One of the excavated historical mounds in Jiroft

Jiroft ancient civilization is a symbol of Iranian ancient civilization. The history of the region dates back to more than 4,300 years ago. Today Jiroft is a city in Kerman province. Historical and archaeological findings in the region indicate lots of pieces of evidence of the original great civilization in the region. These works represent a part of the ancient Iranian culture and civilization.

Jiroft historic site dates to the third millennium BC. The region was once the bridge between the Ilam civilization in the west and the Sindh Valley civilization in the east. An Iranian archaeologist Yusef Majidzadeh first introduced Jiroft ancient civilization in 2003 with an emphasis on the artistic and architectural facts discovered in the region.

Archeological Explorations in Jiroft Ancient Civilization

Historical Mound in Jiroft Site
Historical Mound in Jiroft Site

A Hungarian archaeologist named Sir Aurel Stein was the first researcher who studied the region in 1900. Following him, other Iranian and foreign archaeologists also explored this ancient site.

The past and current studies on Jiroft ancient civilization show the connection among Kerman, Sistan and Baluchistan, Halil Rood and Tappeh Konar sandal.

According to archaeological findings on the site, the oldest artifacts in Jiroft dates back to more than 7,000 years ago. Majidzadeh called Jiroft the cradle to civilization. The discovery of Ziggurat manuscripts in Jiroft is Professor Majidzadeh’s evidence for his claim.

The civilizations of Jiroft and Halil Rood regions, as two of the most important centers of the civilization of the East, have provided for several needs of the temples and palaces for thousands of years BC. Archeologically, all the region is remarkably valuable, as some historians and researchers have named the region “The Lost Paradise”.

Seljuk Atabakan kings had chosen to stay in Jiroft as their winter capital. The favorable climate, the diversity of vegetation, the soil fertility and the presence of animal species in the region have been solid reasons for this choice of location. The discovery of manuscripts and Ziggurat, along with the cultural artifacts unearthed in Jiroft, ancient Iran, indicates that Jiroft ancient civilization dates back to at least the same period as Mesopotamian and Sumerian civilizations if not older eras.

The Main Archaeological Findings in Jiroft Ancient Civilization

Jiroft Goblet
Embossed patterns on a Jiroft Object

Jiroft archaeological findings show that more than half of the sites in this region are cemeteries. The ancient graves date back to around 5000 BC. The unearthed objects from these cemeteries indicate that the ancient Iranian inhabitants of this region believed in the life after death. For this very reasons, they had buried the ancient objects with human corpses.

The discovery of a Ziggurat structure in the region has made Jiroft ancient civilization even more attractive to the antiquity enthusiasts. Ziggurat is a multi-floor building or structure built of clay. Jiroft Ziggurat dates back to the first half of the third millennium BC. Archaeologists have not yet discovered some of the main entrances to the Ziggurat, as the main part of the building has not been unearthed yet.

Jiroft Inscription
Ancient inscription unearthed near Jiroft

Another awesome discovery, a symbol of Jiroft ancient civilization, is a manuscript or inscription discovered approximately 30 kilometers away from Jiroft. This ancient script dates back to around 3000 BC, which is at least the same time as the invention of writing in Mesopotamia or earlier.

Jiroft Ancient Civilization, other Findings and Motifs

Jiroft Objects
Motif of an ibex on Jiroft potteries

Excavations and archaeological studies in Jiroft historic mounds led to the discovery of many ancient vessels and objects, all of which representing the richness of culture and civilization in this region of ancient Iran.

 Jiroft objects' motifs
Some animal motifs on the ancient Jiroft objects

A large part of the discoveries in this region is of decorative nature and bears floral motifs and embossed patterns. Some of these vessels are carved. Some of the artifacts also include the figurines of humans and animals made of stone, soap, bronze, wood, and so on. Also, some earthenware has been discovered in this region.

The animal motifs and patterns, hunting tools, decoration and carvings in Jiroft ancient artifacts indicate the interaction between this civilization and that of the Sumerians as well as the Mesopotamians. Among the findings, one can see indications of doll making, stone carving, and sculpture.

Symbolic Significance of Jiroft Ancient Civilization

The beautiful and eye-catching treasures, along with ancient artifacts and objects unearthed in the historic site of Jiroft, symbolize the rich culture, civilization, and mythology of the people living at this region of ancient Iran. Ancient Jiroft people had been convinced to think extensively and profoundly about life after death more than anyone else at their time.

Ziggurat, inscriptions, and objects made with beautiful and unique designs represent the powerful organization created and maintained by the kings of that period. Because of Jiroft ancient civilization in ancient Iran, this region has been introduced to the world as one of the most valuable centers in which some of the lasting human civilizations has emerged. On the other hand, Jiroft has created a lot of buzz in the archeological world and reintroduced this part of Iran to the world.

Comments 2
  1. درود برشما جناب محرابی. بنده مرتضی بالیده هستم.(مستندساز)
    خوشحال شدم وقتی مطالب شما رو مطالعه کردم.
    بنده در مرحله ی تحقیق و پژوهش در مورد ساخت مستندی با موضوع شهر آرتا یا (اَرتَ) هستم.
    حدود ۱ساله که مشغول جمع آوری مطالب و پژوهش های کاوشگران ومحققین هستم.

    میخواستم از حضورتون سوالی داشته باشم.
    آیا امکان داره که بتونم از دانسته های شما هم با ذکر منباء استفاده کنم؟

    1. درود فراوان و پاینده باشید آقای بالیده گرامی
      با کمال میل در خدمتم. باعث خوشحالی من و موجب افتخار هست که مورد پسند شما واقع شده.
      هر موقع که مستند شما آماده شد و در معرض دید عموم قرار گرفت، لطفا به من هم اطلاع بدید تا استفاده کنم.
      سرافراز باشید.

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