Vegetation Dynamic of Southern Sistan during the Bronze Age: Anthracological Studies at Shahr-i Sokhta

A study of charcoal samples from the Bronze Age site of Shahr-i Sokhta in eastern Iran reveals that the region's vegetation was significantly richer during the third millennium BCE, with a dominance of riparian taxa like tamarisk and willow alongside steppe species such as Chenopodiaceae and saltwort. This suggests favorable environmental conditions at the time, contrasting sharply with today's arid landscape. The research indicates that ancient inhabitants interacted closely with these vegetal formations, likely influencing their structure through anthropogenic factors. By comparing historical charcoal data with modern flora, the study sheds light on both past human-environment interactions and long-term ecological changes in southern Sistan.

Shirazi, R., & Shirazi, Z. (2012). Vegetation Dynamic of Southern Sistan during the Bronze Age: Anthracological Studies at Shahr-i Sokhta. Iranian Journal of Archaeological Studies, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.22111/ijas.2012.1057