The Effect of Trading Lapis Lazuli on the Settlements in the East of Iran's Central Plateau (3rd–4th Mill. BCE)

Shahr-i Sokhta, located in Sistan and Baluchestan province, emerged as a significant social, political, economic, and cultural hub during the 3rd millennium BCE, largely due to its pivotal role in the trade of lapis lazuli. This precious stone, sourced from mines in Badakhshan (northern Afghanistan), was traded extensively across vast distances, including Central Asia and southern Egypt. The study analyzed recent archaeological evidence to determine that Shahr-i Sokhta became a wealthy production and trading center for lapis lazuli, exporting it as jewelry and ornaments for temples and palaces. This trade not only enriched the settlement but also elevated its status in the region.

Farzin, S., Zohouriyan, M., & Hajizadeh, M. A. (2019). The Effect of Trading Lapis Lazuli on the Settlements in the East of Iran’s Central Plateau (3rd–4th Mill. BCE). Central Asiatic Journal, 62(2), 193–202. https://doi.org/10.13173/caj/2019/2/5