Recent Archaeological Research in South Iran: Excavation at the Old City of Sirjan (The Site of Qal’eh Sang)

ABSTRACT The importance of old Sirjan lies in its geographical location in the Persian Gulf hinterland. It stood at the intersection of routes that connected the Persian Gulf and the Central Iranian plateau. The first season of excavations at Qal’eh Sang in 2015 brought to light a complete and great bathhouse dating to the time between eleventh to fifteenth century AD and a stonecutting workshop dating to the fourteenth century. Various types of pottery were identified, most of them date to the time between the eleventh to fifteenth century and find parallels at many sites in China, Afghanistan, at the coasts of the Persian Gulf, Central Iranian plateau as well as northeast and west Iran. Furthermore, Sirjan city was relocated three times during the Islamic era at Qal’eh Kafar, Qal’eh Sang, Bagh-e Bamid, and Saeedabad.