Structure and Architecture of Graves in South East Iran: Ethnic Diversity and Migration in the 3rd Millennium BCE

Archaeological analysis of graves at Shahr-i Sokhta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southeastern Iran, reveals significant ethnic diversity and migration patterns among its inhabitants during the 3rd millennium BCE. The study identifies at least five distinct geographical origins for the site's population, linked to trade routes connecting Central Asia, Baluchistan, Mesopotamia, and the Indus Valley. Changes in burial alignment and positioning over centuries suggest cultural exchanges and demographic shifts driven by migration along these commercial pathways. The research examines skeletal remains, grave offerings, and tools from the cemetery to reconstruct the complex social dynamics of this ancient society.

Sarhaddi-Dadian, H., Moradi, H., Shirazi, R., & Ramli, Z. (2019). Structure and Architecture of Graves in South East Iran: Ethnic Diversity and Migration in the 3rd Millennium BCE. Central Asiatic Journal, 62(2), 175–192. https://doi.org/10.13173/caj/2019/2/4