Tol-e Nurabad
تل نورآباد · Tall-e Nurabad · Tol-e Nurabad (Mamasani)
Neolithic to Sasanian (c.5000 BCE–600 CE)·Fars Chalcolithic → Elam → Persian·🇮🇷 Fars Province, Mamasani plain, Iran
About
About Tol-e Nurabad
Mamasani valley tell 1.8 ha, 8 m high, Neolithic–Sasanian multicomponent (Neolithic to Islamic, 5th mill. BCE–1400 CE) with 6000-year stratigraphy excavated 1997– by D. Potts & K. Roustaei (Sydney–ICAR) shows Bakun-related Nurabad phase, Banesh, Kaftari, Sasanian layers, joined by Tol-e Spid. Key for intermontane Fars–Khuzestan transmission, Lapui ware, Achaemenid destruction.
Why it mattersMamasani passage sequence Fars–Khuzestan; Bakun westmost extension.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Banesh link to Anshan?
Theories
- 01Intermontane transmission 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.5000 BCE Bakun-related hamlet
- Period
- Neolithic to Sasanian (c.5000 BCE–600 CE)
- Culture
- Fars Chalcolithic → Elam → Persian
- Builders
- Mamasani farmers → Elam kings → Sasanian
- Purpose
- Intermontane pass tell bridging Fars and Khuzestan
- Abandoned
- Sasanian
- Rediscovered
- 1997 Potts survey
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.5000 BCE
Neolithic hamlet founded
c.3500 BCE
Bakun-related Nurabad phase
c.500 BCE
Achaemenid fortified level
On the ground
Structures & features
30.0700° N · 51.5200° E · 950 m · 3 mapped features
Tol-e Nurabad — Bakun level
layerBakun painted horizon, middle mound
30.0705° N · 51.5200° ETol-e Nurabad — Kaftari building
buildingBronze Age Kaftari pile houses
30.0700° N · 51.5205° ETol-e Nurabad — Sasanian fort
fortificationSasanian stone-footed fort, summit
30.0695° N · 51.5195° E
Gallery