Mysterious Treasures of the Bronze Age: 10 New Artifacts Added to Iran’s National Heritage List

Ten ancient artifacts dating back to the 3rd millennium BC, unearthed from the Jiroft Plain in Iran’s Kerman province, have been officially registered in the country’s National List of Movable Heritage. This significant development is of great importance for the preservation of artifacts that carry the traces of the Jiroft culture’s richness from the depths of the Bronze Age.

According to statements by Nader Alidadi-Soleimani, Head of the Kerman Cultural Heritage Registration Office, these artifacts were approved during a session of the Central Council for the Registration of Movable Cultural-Historical Properties at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts. The Jiroft Plain is a region known for its archaeological significance in southern Iran, and these artifacts convey the traces of the region’s ancient civilizations to the present day.

Jiroft Civilization: An Ancient Power Challenging Mesopotamia

Soleimani emphasized the importance of the Jiroft civilization, stating that in the early 3rd millennium BC, rural communities in the region transitioned from the Chalcolithic period to an advanced stage of urban development. “This transformation led to the establishment of early cities and the emergence of a structured civilization.” The Jiroft civilization is considered one of the few early human civilizations that flourished in present-day Iran and played a critical role in the growth and advancement of ancient societies.

Until the very early 21st century, no one had ever dreamed that such a sophisticated forgotten culture could re-emerge from the sands of this arid and remote region in southeastern Iran. The story began when rounds of heavy floods swept the topsoil off thousands of previously unknown tombs in a Bronze Age cemetery in Jiroft in 2001. The extraordinary findings at Jiroft necessitated a reassessment of previous interpretations, according to which Mesopotamia was considered the cradle of civilization.

According to a National Geographic article, a flood of archaeological objects began appearing in the antiquities market seemingly out of nowhere in 2001. In a short time, distinctive pieces of jewelry, weapons, finely crafted ceramics, drinking vessels, and game boards—featuring unusual artistry and magnificent inlays of carnelian and lapis lazuli—found their way to antique markets for sale.

These extraordinary pieces featured a complex symbology of animals, both wild and domesticated, depicted fighting among themselves or with human figures, the humans always triumphant. There were beautifully realized bucolic scenes of animals grazing in vast palm groves and architectural reproductions of temples or palaces, which were among the remarkable details in the artifacts.