Step over the gap, not in it: a Case Study of Iranian Sistan Archaeology

A significant gap in occupation evidence between the collapse of Shahr-i-Sokhta (second millennium BCE) and the emergence of Dahan-e-Ghlaman (sixth century BCE) in Iranian Sistan has been identified. This study introduces a novel survey method using remote sensing and GIS techniques to interpret environmental characteristics, offering insights previously obscured by traditional archaeological methods. By leveraging high-resolution satellite technology with thermal and infrared capabilities, researchers can pinpoint potential sites of interest up to a meter deep, revealing invisible impacts of human-environment interactions. The approach bridges interdisciplinary fields such as environmental science, hydrology, and archaeology, providing a more comprehensive understanding of this understudied period in Iranian history.

Mortazavi, M., Mosapour Negari, F., & Khosravi, M. (2015). Step over the gap, not in it: a Case Study of Iranian Sistan Archaeology. Iranian Journal of Archaeological Studies, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.22111/ijas.2015.2026