Bronze Age pottery of the Sistan region: Evidence from Tepe Sadegh

A detailed analysis of Bronze Age pottery from Tepe Sadegh, a satellite settlement linked to Shahr-i Sokhta in southeastern Iran, reveals strong cultural and technological continuity with the urban center. The study, based on 1959 ceramic sherds, identifies standardized buff ware production, predominantly wheel-made, with limited painted or incised decoration, suggesting a high level of craftsmanship. Radiocarbon dating aligns Tepe Sadegh's main occupation with Shahr-i Sokhta periods II and III. The findings highlight the settlement's role as a semi-industrial hub integrating domestic activities while contributing to understanding regional ceramic production and settlement organization in the Helmand Plain during the Bronze Age.

Ebrahimiabareghi, S., & Shirazi, R. (2026). Bronze Age pottery of the Sistan region: Evidence from Tepe Sadegh. Archaeological Research in Asia, 48, 100745. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ara.2026.100745