Archeologists’ findings in the 5000-years-old area of Shahre Sukhteh are plenty. This is because the layers of bran and salt have kept the tools and handicrafts of the people of Shahre Sukhteh away from the ravages of time to some extent. Especially the many pieces of woven fabrics found in that city show the art and craft of weaving of the residents of the burnt city. That is why it is possible for the archeologists to do research in an ancient city in the heart of the present desert.
Based on the findings and the report of Dr. Mansour Seyedsajadi, who led the group of archaeologists in the excavations of Shahre Sukhteh, we know that the findings of that ancient city are not only abundant and numerous but also have novelties whose examples are few in the ancient world. The oldest relics belong to 3200 BC, and the latest ones date back to the last settlement of people in shahre Sukhteh, nearly 1700 BC. After that Shahre Sukhteh became empty of inhabitants and was shut down.
Part of what was found in this city is mostly tools of daily use —remaining pieces of carpets, baskets, stone and clay pots, and various figures. Most worthy of attention is a shoe last found in the city, and of course the flak. Flakhan was a hook for throwing stones, and shepherds still make and use it from woolen strings. Various seals were also found in Shahre Sukhteh, used for trade and commerce. Ornamental objects are also among the findings of Shahre Sukhteh. The beads have different designs, mostly plant and animal designs. It should also be mentioned about the many pottery pieces of Shahre Sukhteh, that their number reaches millions of pieces; the pieces that were the broken pottery of the town and are still scattered on the ground.
Sajadi considers the clay figurines of Shahre Sukhteh to be valuable and writes that these figurines are between 4 and 8 cm in size and are made in the shape of a humped cow, dog, boar, and pig. Some of the designs are not clear which animal or figure they represent; maybe they are birds. The image of the sun is also seen among the clay figures that have symbolic value or refer to the religious and ritual beliefs of the people of that time.
We also know that there are many human bodies (men and women) in Shahre Sukhteh. Also a ruler has been found among the excavations, which is 5000 years old and made of ebony. Its length is 10 cm, which is an evidence of the people’s knowledge of maths. Weaving was a profession of craftsmen and craftswomen of Shahre Sukhteh.
Weaving is the profession of the artists of Shahre Sukhteh
Many pieces of cloth, rope, and mat have been found in Shahre Sukhteh. In the graves, they have discovered mats that cover the grave floor and contain the skeletons of the dead five thousand years ago. Dr Seyedsajadi writes that some of these underlays can still be folded and unfolded like a handkerchief, without disturbing their shape.” The color of those underlays are mostly brown or green.
Such findings show that the weaving industry and the production of its tools were very advanced and abundant in the city of Sohteh. Roya Zarifian and Alireza Taheri, who have conducted extensive research on weaving methods in Shahre Sukhteh, point out that 265 pieces (pieces) of fabric have been recorded in Shahre Sukhteh, of which 54 samples contain 47 pieces of cloth two raw substances, 5 pieces of rope, thread and a fishing net. The tools found to produce fabric are knitting machines, hooks, knitting rods, and other industry tools. They are also made of various fibers and sometimes have simple and sometimes nested and complex designs. Those fabrics have been used for house underlays, grave underlays, clothes, and rugs. from these findings we understand how sophisticated life in shahre Sukhteh was 5000 years ago; with active people who lead their lives and fulfill their daily needs with artistry.
