Kuh-e Khajeh — Sistan Fortified Pyramid Hill
Parthian to Sasanian (248 BCE–651 CE)·Parthian–Sasanian citadel·🇮🇷 Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran
About
About Kuh-e Khajeh — Sistan Fortified Pyramid Hill
Kuh-e Khajeh — Sistan Fortified Pyramid Hill in Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran is a Parthian to Sasanian (248 BCE–651 CE) pyramid attributed to Parthian–Sasanian citadel. Isolated basalt-topped hill 30 m high with Sassanian palace and fire temple with Atashgah, painted murals. Herzfeld Kuh-e Khajeh fortress-palace with painted Sassanian friezes of kings and throne hall.
Why it mattersKey Parthian–Sasanian citadel site informing Central Asian prehistory
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology refinement
- 02Metallurgy evidence
Theories
- 01Long-distance trade route
- 02Urbanism genesis
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. 100 BCE
- Period
- Parthian to Sasanian (248 BCE–651 CE)
- Culture
- Parthian–Sasanian citadel
- Purpose
- Isolated basalt-topped hill 30 m high with Sassanian palace and fire temple with Atashgah, painted murals
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 100 BCE
Initial construction
c. 1960 CE
Modern excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
30.9400° N · 61.2400° E · 490 m · 4 mapped features
Kuh-e Khajeh — Sistan Fortified Pyramid Hill — Citadel Wall
wallMain defensive wall circuit
30.9401° N · 61.2401° EKuh-e Khajeh — Sistan Fortified Pyramid Hill — Tower Bastion
towerSquare tower
30.9402° N · 61.2401° EKuh-e Khajeh — Sistan Fortified Pyramid Hill — Palace Hall
hallColumned palace or temple hall
30.9398° N · 61.2402° EKuh-e Khajeh — Sistan Fortified Pyramid Hill — Storage Annex
storageStorage building
30.9396° N · 61.2399° E