Shahr-e Sokhta, also known as the “Burnt City,” is an archaeological site located in the Sistan and Baluchestan Province of southeastern Iran. It is one of the largest and most important Bronze Age urban settlements in the region, dating back to the third millennium BCE. Shahr-e Sokhta gained its name from the extensive fire damage evident in the remains of the city.

Key features and information about Shahr-e Sokhta:

1. Location:
   • Shahr-e Sokhta is situated in the southeastern part of Iran, near the border with Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is located in the deserts of the Sistan Basin, an arid region.
2. Bronze Age Urban Center:
   • The city flourished during the Bronze Age, with its peak occupation occurring between approximately 3200 BCE and 1800 BCE. It is considered one of the world’s oldest known examples of urban planning.
3. Excavations:
   • Systematic archaeological excavations at Shahr-e Sokhta began in the late 1960s and have continued intermittently over the years. The site has revealed a wealth of information about ancient urban life and technological advancements.
4. City Layout:
   • Shahr-e Sokhta was a well-planned urban center with a grid-like layout. It featured residential areas, public buildings, workshops, and a fortified citadel. The city covered a substantial area, reflecting a sophisticated understanding of urban planning.
5. Diverse Artifacts:
   • Excavations at Shahr-e Sokhta have unearthed a wide range of artifacts, including pottery, tools, jewelry, figurines, and more. These items provide insights into the daily life, culture, and technological achievements of the city’s inhabitants.
6. Trade and Contacts:
   • The presence of artifacts from different regions suggests that Shahr-e Sokhta was involved in long-distance trade networks. Goods such as lapis lazuli from Afghanistan and turquoise from Iran have been identified.
7. Advanced Technology:
   • Shahr-e Sokhta is known for its advanced technological achievements, including evidence of metalworking, kilns, and a complex system of canals and drainage.
8. Cemetery:
   • The city includes a large cemetery where the dead were buried in distinctive oval-shaped graves. Some burials included valuable items, suggesting social differentiation within the community.
9. End of Occupation:
   • The reasons for the decline and abandonment of Shahr-e Sokhta are not definitively known. Factors such as environmental changes, shifts in trade routes, or social upheavals have been proposed as possible contributors.
10. UNESCO World Heritage Site:
    • Shahr-e Sokhta was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, recognizing its cultural significance and contribution to our understanding of Bronze Age urban life.

Shahr-e Sokhta stands as a testament to the ingenuity and complexity of ancient societies during the Bronze Age. The archaeological findings at the site continue to provide valuable insights into the technological, economic, and social aspects of urban life in the third millennium BCE.