New archaeological excavations at the ancient site of Kupal in Dashtiari County, located in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan Province, have uncovered artifacts that could offer fresh insights into early maritime activity and the use of marine resources along the Makran coast.
As reported by ISNA, Morteza Hessari, head of the excavation team, stated that the finds include a flat stone with two holes drilled at one end—likely used as a fishing net weight or a small anchor. In the same area, two additional stone tools displaying characteristics of Paleolithic technology were discovered.
Hessari emphasized the importance of the discovery, noting that the proximity of the perforated stone to the Paleolithic-style tools—created using the hard-hammer percussion method—raises significant questions about when seafaring began in the region and how early communities utilized coastal resources.
Morteza Hessari, head of the excavation team at the Kupal archaeological site in Dashtiari County, has emphasized the need for further investigation to determine the true age and significance of recently uncovered artifacts that may point to early human maritime activity on Iran’s Makran coast.
“While the stone tools found alongside the perforated pebble clearly reflect Paleolithic technology—and their thick desert varnish indicates considerable age—the surface erosion patterns on the perforated stone differ noticeably,” Hessari noted. “This suggests the artifact may not be from the same period, and additional analysis is required for a more definitive conclusion.”
Hessari explained that expert consultations have led to several interpretations. The artifacts could indeed belong to the Paleolithic era, signaling that early hunter-gatherer utilized marine resources. Alternatively, the finds may reflect remains from multiple distinct periods. Supporting the latter theory is the presence of pottery from the 4th millennium BCE discovered in a nearby trench, suggesting long-term use of the site.
“As rescue excavations come to a close, we are conducting detailed wear analysis and contextual dating to clarify the relationship between these finds and their archaeological layers,” he said.
Hessari concluded by highlighting the broader implications: “These recent discoveries offer valuable evidence of prehistoric human interaction with the sea. With continued research, we hope to better understand Kupal’s significance in the study of early seafaring and coastal resource use along the Makran coast.”
