Sang-e Chakhmaq
سنگ چخماق · Sang-i Chakmak · Tappeh Sang-e Chakhmaq · Sang-e Chakmagh
Neolithic–Transitional Chalcolithic (c.7500–4500 BCE)·Jeitun-related → Cheshmeh Ali (Northeast Iran Neolithic)·🇮🇷 Semnan Province, Shahroud plain, Iran
About
About Sang-e Chakhmaq
Two-mound Neolithic tell West (PPN) + East (PN–Transitional Chalcolithic) 2 ha total, c.7500–4500 BCE on Bastam north plain. West Mound 8 periods (PPN 7200 BCE timber/pisé, earliest village), East Mound painted Jeitun-like and Cheshmeh Ali ware, alabaster, shell. Japanese (Masuda 1971–) then Tsuneki–Hossein excavations show Aceramic → Ceramic transition, first Zagros-Caspian Neolithic with domestic goat, wheat and earliest pottery in northeast Iran (c.6300 BCE).
Why it mattersEarliest Neolithic in NE Iran; Aceramic→Ceramic sequence and east–west Neolithisation bridge.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01West–East continuity or hiatus?
Theories
- 01Jeitun eastward spread model
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.7500 BCE West Mound PPN timber hamlet
- Period
- Neolithic–Transitional Chalcolithic (c.7500–4500 BCE)
- Culture
- Jeitun-related → Cheshmeh Ali (Northeast Iran Neolithic)
- Builders
- Shahroud early farmers
- Purpose
- Oasis farming village with earliest NE Iran pottery workshop
- Abandoned
- c.4500 BCE Chalcolithic
- Rediscovered
- 1971 Masuda
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.7500 BCE
West Mound PPN timber village
c.6300 BCE
East Mound earliest pottery
c.5000 BCE
Cheshmeh Ali painted horizon
1971
Masuda excavations begin
On the ground
Structures & features
36.4997° N · 55.0006° E · 1400 m · 3 mapped features
Sang-e Chakhmaq — West Mound
settlementPPN timber-and-pisé village, 8 levels
36.5000° N · 55.0005° ESang-e Chakhmaq — East Mound
settlementCeramic Neolithic painted ware houses
36.4995° N · 55.0006° ESang-e Chakhmaq — Alabaster workshop
workshopAlabaster vessel and shell workshop between mounds
36.4992° N · 55.0000° E