TEHRAN -- Archaeological investigations at two important prehistoric sites in northern Iran are shedding new light on early settlement patterns, ancient architecture and the development of communities on the Iranian Plateau.
Archaeologists have returned to Cheshmeh Ali, an important prehistoric settlement in Ray, south of Tehran, for a third season of excavations aimed at uncovering earlier occupation layers and investigating the cultural development of ancient communities in the region.
The latest fieldwork, led by Dr Hamidreza Valipour, a faculty member of the Archaeology Department at Shahid Beheshti University, is being conducted as part of the university’s five-year research program. The 45-day campaign began on November 3, 2026.
According to Valipour, the new investigations will continue work in previously opened trenches while seeking to identify earlier archaeological layers and clarify the relationships between the Neolithic, Transitional Chalcolithic and Early Chalcolithic periods. Researchers will also investigate possible evidence of later cultural horizons, including developments associated with the emergence of writing.
Situated beside a natural spring and now surrounded by modern residential development, Cheshmeh Ali is among the significant archaeological sites for understanding the prehistoric history of the central Iranian Plateau.
Earlier excavations at the site identified settlement architecture dating back approximately 6,300 years, together with evidence of several construction phases belonging to the Early Chalcolithic period.
The discoveries included seals, clay sealings, seal impressions, clay objects known as tokens and evidence of early metalworking. These finds provide valuable material
 for investigating the economic, administrative and social organization of prehistoric communities.
The site’s archaeological importance extends beyond its recent investigations. Jacques de Morgan conducted early excavations there in 1912, followed by another investigation by French diplomat Maurice Dayet in 1924. More systematic archaeological work was undertaken by Erich F. Schmidt between 1934 and 1936. His investigations revealed prehistoric, Parthian and Islamic occupation layers.
Following a lengthy interruption, excavations resumed in 1997 under the direction of Muhammad Rahim Sarraf and Hassan Fazeli Nashli, helping establish an improved chronological framework for the site’s Neolithic and Chalcolithic occupations.
The current research program also addresses the urgent need to protect the archaeological remains. Urban expansion has significantly affected the site, prompting researchers to propose the establishment of a site museum. A preliminary proposal and cost assessment have reportedly been submitted to local heritage authorities.
Another important archaeological landscape in northern Iran is Tepe Ozbaki, located in Nazarabad County, Alborz Province.
The site comprises seven archaeological mounds representing different periods of prehistoric and early historic occupation. Its archaeological significance lies particularly in the evidence it provides of early settlement patterns, architectural development and technological achievements.
The site was identified in 1969 and subsequently registered on Iran’s National Heritage List. Systematic archaeological investigations began in 1998 under the direction of the late archaeologist Youssef Majidzadeh, with five excavation seasons examining its different mounds.
Among the most remarkable discoveries were handmade mudbricks, providing important evidence of early construction techniques in the region. Archaeological investigations at Yan Tepe, one of the mounds within the complex, revealed several successive architectural levels dating to the seventh and sixth millennia BC.
A particularly significant mudbrick from the site was presented by former Iranian President Muhammad Khatami to the United Nations as a symbol of the Dialogue Among Civilizations. It is reported to be displayed at the UN headquarters.
Beyond their scientific value, Cheshmeh Ali and Tepe Ozbaki demonstrate the importance of protecting Iran’s prehistoric archaeological landscapes.
At Cheshmeh Ali, the proposed site museum could help preserve excavated remains while making archaeological research accessible to the public. At Ozbaki, improved visitor facilities and the proposed development of a museum are among the initiatives intended to strengthen cultural heritage presentation.