TEHRAN -- In Iran’s Halil Roud Valley, archaeologists have uncovered stone and clay tablets bearing primitive symbols nearly 5,000 years old—evidence that could challenge Mesopotamia’s claim as the birthplace of writing. 
The finds, from the ancient Jiroft civilization, suggest that urban life, complex administration, and cultural sophistication may have taken root here even before Mesopotamia’s rise, Futura Team wrote.
The hills of Konar Sandal, once considered peripheral to the ancient world, are revealing treasures of stunning importance. Leading the excavations, archaeologist Youssof Majidzadeh believes the writing method found here may have spurred early urbanization and advanced governance.
Initially intended to protect prehistoric necropolises from looting, the digs have uncovered refined artifacts—vases, bowls, and sculptures, some in chlorite—decorated with hard stone and shell inlays. These works reveal not only technical mastery but also a sophisticated aesthetic.
Weights found at the site point to a structured economy with regulated trade, accounting, and possibly an early script. The imagery carved into Jiroft artifacts depicts bulls with divine attributes, heraldic eagles, human-animal hybrids, and scenes of a great flood—motifs echoing Sumerian myths.
Were these shared stories the result of cultural exchange, or did Jiroft’s civilization predate and influence Mesopotamia? The idea of an independent, older cultural center is gaining weight.
Archaeologists have also uncovered ramps and terraces of unbaked brick, reminiscent of Mesopotamian ziggurats, likely for religious use. These point to a society capable of mobilizing massive human and material resources. Whether developed independently or inspired by early city-states, such monumental design deepens our understanding of early urban development in the region.
If further analysis confirms that Jiroft’s symbols predate those of Mesopotamia, the long-held notion of a single “cradle of civilization” will need to expand. The ongoing excavations aim to decipher these markings, potentially transforming our understanding of how complex societies emerged.
Long in the shadows of better-known cultures, Jiroft is stepping into the light as a possible key chapter in humanity’s shared past—a reminder that history is still being written with each new discovery.