Abstract:
In the first half of the third millennium, it seems that the period of peak distribution and expansion of cultural phenomena between the East and West occurred. The cultural drivers of this period also originate from the center of the Iranian plateau and reach the East up to Central Asia and Afghanistan, and accordingly, they find their way to the Southeast and into the territory of Pakistan. Archaeological evidence obtained from prehistoric sites shows that the origin of cultural movements during the third millennium BC was not limited only to the known northern routes; the southern land routes, which connected the south of the Iranian plateau to South Balochistan in Pakistan, also gained importance during this period, and points such as Mohenjo-daro, Shahr-e Sukhteh, Tepe Yahya, Tell Abu Iblis, Tepe Bampur, etc., are located on this route. How much can the ancient evidence and materials obtained from this period, such as various types of metal, stone, and diverse objects, especially pottery, confirm the strong relationships that had developed between the ancient sites of the Indus Valley, Balochistan, North and South Iran, and between them in the third millennium BC? If a comparative study on these data, especially pottery findings (in terms of motifs), can prove the depth of extensive communications and cultural similarities between the two regions, the result of the studies of the authors of this article has been able to provide a new method in the interpretation and explanation of cultural materials. This research is based on pottery data obtained from many archaeological excavations carried out in the Indus Valley, especially at the ancient sites of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, and in Southeast Iran, especially at the ancient sites of Shahr-e Sukhteh and Bampur. The goal of the researchers in this article is to provide a comprehensive picture of the cultural exchanges between these two regions based on the aforementioned data.
Machine summary:
Archaeological evidence obtained from prehistoric sites shows that the origin of cultural movements during the third millennium BC was not limited only to the known northern routes, and the southern land routes, which connected the south of the Iranian plateau to southern Balochistan, Pakistan, also gained importance during this period, and points such as Mohenjo-daro, Shahr-e Sukhteh, Tepe Yahya, Tell Iblis, Tepe Bampur, etc.
How much can the archaeological evidence and materials obtained from this period, such as various types of metal, stone, and diverse objects, especially pottery, confirm the strong relationships that had emerged between the ancient sites of the Indus Valley, Balochistan, North and South Iran, and Mesopotamia in the third millennium BC?
This research is based on pottery data obtained from many archaeological excavations conducted in the Indus Valley, especially at the ancient sites of Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, and in Southeast Iran, especially at the ancient sites of Shahr-e Sukhteh and Bampur.
To confirm this statement, it can be claimed that not only in Sistan but throughout the entire Iranian plateau, during the third millennium BC, recognized elements such as the stag pattern, which was commonly depicted on pottery vessels, emerged as silhouettes and stylized designs; subsequently, this turned into a technique that was previously common and widespread in these regions in the form of geometric motifs and occupies an important position in the harmony of decorations (Bishuneh and Bogarli (1385: 516), Vidale & Salvatori (1997: 100)).
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