TEHRAN -- Nestled in the fertile plains of southeastern Iran, along the banks of the Halil Rud, lies Konar Sandal, one of the most significant Bronze Age archaeological sites in the country. 
Often described as the heart of the ancient Jiroft civilization, this sprawling urban settlement offers a rare glimpse into the early development of cities on the Iranian Plateau.
Excavations at Konar Sandal began in 2001, revealing monumental architecture, intricately carved chlorite vessels, and an array of clay seals and artifacts that testify to a sophisticated society with organized trade, craft specialization, and administrative systems. 
The site’s earliest layers date to the early third millennium BCE, with evidence suggesting continuous occupation and urban development over several centuries.
The artifacts uncovered paint a picture of a thriving, artistically rich culture. Chlorite objects, many now housed in museums in Jiroft, Kerman, and Tehran, demonstrate a mastery of stone carving, while evidence of copper smelting, metallurgy, and ceramics reflects a technologically advanced society. 
Konar Sandal’s architectural remains—including large structures and complex urban layouts—point to an organized, hierarchical city with clear economic and social structures.
Konar Sandal is part of a broader Halil Rud cultural landscape, home to thousands of archaeological mounds that trace the arc of human occupation from prehistory through the Islamic period. Each layer of soil holds clues to the daily lives, beliefs, and innovations of the people who lived here thousands of years ago.
After a 17-year hiatus, excavations at Konar Sandal briefly resumed in 2023 under the direction of Dr. Mansour Seyyed Sajjadi, revealing new sections of monumental architecture and a trove of seal impressions that illuminate the city’s administrative and economic networks. Researchers were poised to continue piecing together the puzzle of one of Iran’s earliest cities—until progress was abruptly halted.
Due to a lack of funding, the site’s excavation has once again been suspended, leaving Konar Sandal frozen in time. Its ancient streets, workshops, and marketplaces await further exploration, but for now, the story of this 5,000-year-old city remains incomplete.