A fifth-millennium BCE sanctuary at Tol-e Chega Sofla in the northern Persian Gulf. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moghaddam, Abbas
• Is Part Of: Archaeological research in Asia. Volume 27(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: Archaeology -- Research -- Asia -- Periodicals; Asia -- Antiquities -- Periodicals; 930.1095
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ara.2021.100291
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-2267

Abstract

Abstract: While the evidence from late prehistoric monumental contexts from southwestern Iran have been relatively indirect, recent excavation at Tol-e Chega Sofla in the northern Persian Gulf, sheds some light on this issue by providing a collection of symbolic features presumeably representing one of the earliest sanctuaries so far documented from a fifth millennium BCE context in southwestern Iran. Such complex ritual behavior is indicated by a number of backed brick structures, stone steles, animal scarification pits as well as distinctive pottery vessels unearthed in the northern mound of Tol-e Chega Sofla (Area C).