Tepe Sialk — South Tappeh High Platform (Proto-Ziggurat)
Proto-Elamite / Early Bronze Age, c.3000–2600 BCE (Sialk III-IV)·Proto-Elamite·🇮🇷 Isfahan Province, Kashan, Sialk, Iran
About
About Tepe Sialk — South Tappeh High Platform (Proto-Ziggurat)
High platform (proto-ziggurat) on South Tappeh at Tepe Sialk (c.3000–2600 BCE, Proto-Elamite / Early Bronze Age). 56 × 34 m platform of mudbrick on chineh foundation, 18 m high, with retaining walls and corner bastions. Ghirshman 1933-38 excavated stratified sequence I–VI revealing early massif before true ziggurat. Reconstructed faces visible at Sialk park.
Why it mattersOldest high temple mound on Iranian plateau; transitions Ubaid to ziggurat.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Temple vs palace function of summit
Theories
- 01Elamite echo of Mesopotamian massif tradition
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.3000–2600 BCE
- Period
- Proto-Elamite / Early Bronze Age, c.3000–2600 BCE (Sialk III-IV)
- Culture
- Proto-Elamite
- Purpose
- High temple platform — precursor to Mesopotamian ziggurat
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.3000–2600 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c.500 CE
Major refurbishment / enlargement phase
c.1100 CE
Abandonment or conversion
1890–1930
Modern rediscovery and first scientific survey
On the ground
Structures & features
33.9680° N · 51.4410° E · 970 m · 2 mapped features
South Tappeh platform retaining wall
platformOuter retaining wall with bastion corners and plastered face
33.9681° N · 51.4409° ENorthern stair ramp to summit
rampStair ramp leading to summit temple footprint
33.9679° N · 51.4411° E