Shahr-e Sukhteh | one of the UNESCO heritage sites

Shahr-e Sukhteh: Once a city

History says one of the oldest of culture and history is belong to Persia (Iran). Shahr-e Sukhteh , also spelled as Shahr-e Sukhteh and Shahr-i Shōkhta, is an archaeological site of a sizable Bronze Age urban settlement, associated with the Jiroft culture which is one of UNESCO heritage sites.

It is located in Sistan and Baluchistan Province, the southeastern part of Iran, on the bank of the Helmand River, near the Zahedan-Zabol road.

Shahr-e Sukhteh is one of UNESCO heritage sites with old story belong to Bronze period and with more than 6.000 years history. The reasons for the unexpected rise and fall of the Burnt City are still wrapped in mystery.

The story of this city is still as secret and nobody knows what’s happened to them, because whole of city is burned under fire. The founded things tell us their knowledge was very unique and advanced.

Covering an area of 151 hectares, Shahr-e Sukhteh was one of the world’s largest cities at the dawn of the urban era. In the western part of the site is a vast graveyard, measuring 25 ha. It contains between 25,000 and 40,000 ancient graves.

this place is an important archaeology site but unfortunately is far from usual tourist cities and tours. Covering an area of 151 hectares, the city was built around 3200 BC and abandoned over a millennium later in 2100 BC.

Other objects found at the site include a human skull with signs that suggest brain surgery was conducted on it in this prehistoric city; no weapon has ever been discovered at the site, suggesting the peaceful nature of the residents. These are just some points to show the great history behind this place.

Shahr-e Sukhteh – First Skull Surgery in Iran

In 1977, an Italian archaeological group made a great discovery while excavating the Burned City (Shahr-e sukhteh). They found a skull dating back to 2800 BC with a triangular surgery scar showing the removal of a piece.

The other remarkable feature of the skull was the dimensions that were significantly big compared to the age of the person it belonged to. Based on the investigations, the skull belonged to a girl who was approximately 13 yr old.

A neurologist could immediately and without any diagnostic measures diagnose congenital hydrocephalus in her. The abnormal enlargement of the skull, particularly the parietal regions on both sides is the common view in congenital hydrocephalus.

Since surgery can be a method of treatment in case the patient is symptomatic, it is assumed that this ancient surgery was conducted for treating the girl. In the present manuscript, I am intending to study the allegation to find relevant supporting documentation.