Zahedan, The city of wonders has been discovered

Sistan and Baluchistan

One of the provinces located in the southeast of Iran and the third largest in terms of area. The province bordering Afghanistan and Pakistan. The name Baluchistan means land of the Baluchis and the term Sistan comes from the Sakastana which means land of the Sakas, that is, the Scythians. The Scythians had dominated the region since the first millennium BC. In this province, there are forests and deserts, and its climate is hot and dry. Lake Hamun is the largest freshwater lake in Iran, located in Sistan and Baluchistan. The crafts and souvenirs of the province include; carpets, rugs and pottery. The ancient monuments and attractions of Sistan and Baluchistan are ancient castles, natural caves, Martian mountains, rocky shores and pink lakes.

Shahr-e Sokhteh

Literally burned city, located on the banks of the Helmand river on the Zahedán-Zabol route. The Burnt City is one of the largest urbanization centers dating back more than 5000 years. This city covers an area of ​​150 hectares on top of a hill. In the excavations carried out in the area, numerous ancient works have been found such as; ceramics, metals, stones and woods not only indicating the antiquity of the city, but the advanced level of civilized life in this region in the third millennium BC. Archaeologists have divided the city into four zones:

The central area being 20 hectares with works belonging to the third millennium BC.

The eastern zone of 16 hectares and 18 meters above ground level, linked with the second phase in the burned city.

The northwest area has metal and rock foundations, which shows that it is an industrial area.

The other zone includes the 25-hectare city cemetery, located at the foot of this stretch.

The burned city has a number of unique features that distinguish it from other monuments in Iran. This city, with all its facilities and developments, lacked a temple, wall, fence, moat, and even a defensive weapon. The houses were made of lime and mud, and had a sewage system. Archaeologists estimate that for 1500 years people lived in this city. In addition, there are some curious facts about this city:

The world’s first artificial eye

Archaeologists have discovered an artificial eye near the body of a 30-year-old woman in the burned city, which dates back 4,500 years, and is still healthy. This artificial eye is made of a mixture of bitumen and animal fat, in which narrow veins of gold similar to the capillaries inside the eye are placed.

The world’s first brain surgery

Archaeologists found the skeleton of a 12-year-old girl who had undergone surgery on her skull to remove the accumulated fluid. According to some evidence, the girl survived the surgery, performed 4,800 years ago.

The world’s first animation

Archaeologists found a ceramic with a height of 10 centimeters, belonging to 5000 years ago. This artwork features a painting of a goat moving towards a tree.

The rule dating back 5000 years

A ruler with a length of 10 centimeters and millimeter division has been discovered.

The oldest backgammon in the world

Among works found in this area, we can refer to the ebony tabletop with the image of a twisted serpent carved with a bowl of 60 pieces of agate and turquoise beads.

Among other works discovered in this city we can mention: a pottery and metal smelting furnace, an ax, a hammer, a needle, a comb, some shoes, a belt, gold ornaments, small sculptures of goats and cows, which they can be religious symbols.

Naseri Castle

Located in Iranshahr, Sistan and Baluchistan province which was built in the time of Naser ol-Doleh, ruler of Sistan and Baluchistan during the Qajar dynasty. The castle has an area of ​​36,000 square meters and all its walls are made of raw clay. These walls are 4 meters thick and 7 meters high. The castle has 150 rooms to accommodate the king, guests, servants and soldiers, as well as to place weapons, baths and stables. The castle contains 9 security towers and 7 large courtyards.

Castle of Seb

It is located in the village of Seb, near the city of Saravan. Etymologically, Seb means a place where there are many springs. Counting on two floors, the castle is built on a not very high rock and the entire construction is made of raw clay. This castle has 14 towers and its walls are 7 meters thick and 30 meters high. In order to provide drinking water, the king and the castle residents had drilled wells in the courtyard and transferred water to the mansion and upper floors through clay pipes.

Castle of Kont

One of the most important buildings in Sistan and Baluchistan, belonging to the Afshar dynasty. The three-story castle is made of mud and raw clay, while the roof is made of logs and palm leaves. The first floor of this castle, built on a 12 meter high rock, was the residence of servants, staff and animal stables. The second and third belonged to the ruler and his relatives and lower class people were not allowed to live with upper class people. Drinking water for the servants was supplied from the well in the castle, as opposed to water for the ruler and his relatives, who were brought from the castle of Seb.

Tis Mosque

This mosque is located in Chabahar, the province of Sistan and Baluchistan. The town of Tis was one of the most important ports in Iran during the Achaemenid empire. The Tis Mosque is the second mosque built after the arrival of Islam in Iran dating back to 1250 years. Its structure, architecture and interior decoration are similar to those of mosques in India and Pakistan, with a high minaret, which is why it is known as a single minaret mosque.

The windows and doors of this mosque are covered with beautiful stained glass windows and the dome is decorated with red and green tiles like the domes of Indian mosques.

Chabahar

Miniature Mountains: About 50 kilometers east of Chabahar, creating one of the most incredible landscapes in the region. These 5000-year-old mountains, with their strange stripes and distinct shapes, put on a spectacle as if it belonged to another planet, which gives the name “Martian Mountains.”

Lake Lipar

Quite close to the Martian Mountains (about 20 kilometers east of Chabahar), a pink lake reminiscent of the famous Lake Maharlú, near Shiraz. Given the massive amount of plankton, the lake has a pinkish color.

Beris

Climbing to the heights of this port village, an impressive landscape of a fishing port opens up with views of the Gulf of Oman. It is a perfect place to admire the sunset over the sea and disappear into the horizon. The village of Beris is located 60 kilometers from Chabahar, near the Pakistani border.

Tang Mud Volcano

Mud volcanoes are geological phenomena. This mud volcano is located about 100 kilometers west of Chabahar.

Jomeh Bazar

Where food, fruits and vegetables are sold. A suitable place, located in a vast parking lot, to buy souvenirs and super interesting for those who want to immerse themselves in local environments.

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