Tepe Yahya Buried Proto-Elamite Workshop Terrace
Tepe Yahya Buried Proto-Elamite Workshop Terrace North Annex · Tepe Site
Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age (4500–2000 BCE)·Chalcolithic–EBA·🇮🇷 Kerman, Tepe Yahya, Iran
About
About Tepe Yahya Buried Proto-Elamite Workshop Terrace
Tepe Yahya Buried Proto-Elamite Workshop Terrace in Kerman, Tepe Yahya, Iran is a Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age (4500–2000 BCE) tell attributed to Chalcolithic–EBA. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal mound 220 × 180 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 28.3090N 56.8360E controls access to Kerman resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey tell for Kerman, Tepe Yahya, illustrating Chalcolithic–EBA construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
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. 3800 BCE initial, major 2600 BCE
- Period
- Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age (4500–2000 BCE)
- Culture
- Chalcolithic–EBA
- Purpose
- Multi-period settlement mound with stratified urban sequence
- Rediscovered
- 1960 survey
- Excavation
- Buried
c. 3800 BCE initial, major 2600 BCE
Initial construction of Tepe Yahya Buried Proto-Elamite Workshop Terrace main structure
c. 1940
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
2000–2015
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Tepe Yahya Buried Proto-Elamite Workshop Terrace) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
28.3090° N · 56.8360° E · 360 m · 4 mapped features
Tepe Yahya Buried Proto-Elamite Workshop Terrace — Main Structure
structurePrincipal tell — Mound 220 × 180 m with diagnostic masonry/panel
28.3098° N · 56.8369° ETepe Yahya Buried Proto-Elamite Workshop Terrace — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
28.3080° N · 56.8353° ETepe Yahya Buried Proto-Elamite Workshop Terrace — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
28.3105° N · 56.8372° ETepe Yahya Buried Proto-Elamite Workshop Terrace — Hydraulic/Cistern
hydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site
28.3074° N · 56.8349° E