Summary of Aratta : Une découverte archéologique majeure en Iran

Summary of Scientific Concepts, Discoveries, and Natural Phenomena:

• Emergence of Early Civilizations:
  • Human civilizations began about 5,000 years ago in the Near East with the development of cities, religions, kingship, social organization, and writing.
  • Mesopotamian Sumer (Southern Iraq) was traditionally considered the sole cradle of this revolution until discoveries in northern Iran challenged this view.
• Discovery of Yiroft Civilization (Aratta):
  • Around 2000, a treasure trove of exquisite stone vessels and artifacts was found in a valley in northern Iran (Halil River valley near Yiroft).
  • These artifacts, carved in chlorite and dating back about 5,000 years, suggested a highly developed culture unknown before.
  • The site is linked to the legendary kingdom of Aratta mentioned in ancient Mesopotamian texts, previously thought mythical.
• Archaeological Context and Challenges:
  • The region had been heavily looted by locals and traffickers before authorities intervened.
  • Looting destroyed many graves and skeletal remains, resulting in a significant loss of information about the people.
  • Excavations revealed large cemeteries, extensive architectural remains, and a large urban settlement.
• Site Description and Architecture:
  • Two large hills near Kunar Sandal village contain remains of a vast ancient city.
  • A monumental adobe brick structure (approx. 400 x 400 meters) was discovered, larger and older than known Mesopotamian ziggurats, likely a religious or administrative building.
  • The city extended over a large area with numerous mounds and architectural remains.
• Cultural and Economic Insights:
  • The civilization had advanced construction techniques and urban planning.
  • Agriculture was established with cultivated barley, grazing animals (sheep and goats), and evidence of date palm cultivation.
  • Fish remains indicate trade or transport of goods from the Persian Gulf, about 300 km away.
  • Charcoal production and exportation may have been significant.
  • The site was a major trading hub connected to Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, Oman, Afghanistan, and Bactria, evidenced by a variety of seals and trade goods.
• Artistic and Iconographic Discoveries:
  • Unique artistic styles and iconography were found on seals and vessels, showing originality and creativity unmatched elsewhere in the region.
  • Some motifs predate and possibly influenced later Mesopotamian myths, such as the legend of Etana and the epic of Gilgamesh (e.g., scorpion man figure).
• Evidence of Early Writing:
  • A fragment of baked brick with an archaic inscription was found, possibly an early form of Elamite linear script or an even older writing system.
  • This suggests that writing may have originated or developed independently in this region.
• Geophysical and Stratigraphic Evidence:
  • Geophysical surveys indicate up to 12 meters of archaeological deposits, suggesting settlements possibly as old as 10,000 years.
  • The site contains multiple layers of urban remains indicating long-term occupation.
• Ongoing Research and Conservation Efforts:
  • Excavations are extensive and require international collaboration due to the scale and complexity.
  • Efforts include training Iranian archaeologists and raising local awareness to protect cultural heritage.
  • The work is challenged by environmental factors like drought, flooding, and extreme temperatures that threaten exposed adobe structures.
• Significance:
  • The discoveries challenge the notion that Mesopotamia was the sole cradle of civilization in the Near East.
  • Yiroft (Aratta) represents a previously unknown, highly developed civilization contemporary with or predating Mesopotamia.
  • The site promises to reshape understanding of early urban societies, trade networks, art, and writing in the ancient Near East.

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List of Researchers and Sources Featured:

• Professor Youssef Madjidzadeh – Lead archaeologist and specialist in Mesopotamian culture, director of excavations in the Halil River valley.
• Holly Pittman – Expert in Oriental glyptics (seal studies), University of Pennsylvania.
• Nader Suleiman – Assistant to Madjidzadeh, responsible for exploration along the Halil Road.
• Marsan Maskur – Paleozoologist studying bone fragments.
• Margarita Tenberg – Analyst of plant residues such as seeds and charcoal.
• Eric Fouas – Specialist in geophysical measurements and geomorphology.
• Iranian Cultural Heritage Council – Institutional body overseeing archaeological activities.

This summary captures the major scientific and archaeological insights revealed in the video about the Yiroft site and its significance as a new cradle of civilization in Iran, possibly corresponding to the legendary Aratta.

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