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IsMEO ACTIVITIES
In the month of November, 1967, Dr Domenico Faccenna has visited Iran, entrusted with a mission from IsMEO; together with Prof. Tucci, he has examined the various problems connected with the restoration works at Persepolis and Ispahan, as well.as those concerning the works that are being carried out by the Italian Archaeological Mission in Sistiin. * * *
In the months of November and December, 1967, the Archaeological Mission, under the direction of Dr M. Tosi, has carried out a series of preliminary researches, aiming at clarifying the question of the archaeological characteristic features of the site of Shahr-i-Sokhta, in the Iranian Sistiin, and at placing its chronological sequences in their right perspective. Miss F. Bonardi, in charge' of photography, Mr Reza Zahedani, of the Museum of Tehran, and Mr G. Graziani, have collaborated to the works.
The Italian Archaeological Mission in Afghanistan has resumed work at the excavation site of Tapa Sardiir, near Ghazni, that had been discontinued in 1962. The campaign has lasted from the middle of September to the second hal£ of November, under the direction of Dr M. Taddei, aided by Miss F. Bonardi, in charge oi photography, Mr G. loppolo, architect-draftsman, Mr A. D'Amico and Mr M. Valentini, assistants on the staff, and Mr E. Crisanti, restorer. Previous excavations had brought to light part of a buddhistic sacred area, centred around a great stiipa, built with a skil£ul technique, of blocks of stone and small schist slabs, around which rise small stiipas, and thrones of unbaked clay or schist. These minor monuments rise in the corridor of circumambulation (pradak~i1Japatba) onto which open some great vibaras built in unbaked bricks (on the west side, and presumably also on the east one, unexcavated so far). The excavation of vibara no. 17, in 1962, was of outstanding importance, but was not brought to completion. Research work has been twofold: continuation of the excavations in the pradak#1Japatba of the great stiipa, on the west side, and clearing off the débris from the collapse of the structures in unbaked bricks (fencing wall and vibaras), on the north and west sides of the terrace. In both cases, results have proved satisfactory. The excavation of vibara no. 17 has been completed,and its sculptural decoration has been recovered in fairly large proportion. The excavation work has of necessity been carried out parallel with the work of drawing and restoring; restoration has proved extremely difficult on account of the excessive brittleness of the material.
After collecting, restoring and classifying a large part of the surface material, whioh is plentifuI, the mission has begun the extensive excavation of some crudè bricks structures, and a trial trench, with the aim of identifying, if possible, an eventua.l cultural sequence. While on one side the stratigraphic evidence points to successive phases of building and rebuilding, a process perhaps due to alluvial phenomena in the sphere of the same cultural sequence, on the other side the extensive excavation has brought to light the remains of at least three vast buildings, made of crude bricks. There structures are neatly partitioned in several large rooms equipped with square hearths, and in minor rooms with large terracotta jars, for the storage of food. A careful investigation of the site has revealed traces of buildings made of brick, covering a surface that measures several hundreds of square metres. Most probably we are dealing with a remarkable urban complex, under a mixed economy, specialized craftsmanship and trading on a rather large scale. The finds, connected with the destruction of the later structures that have been examined, are all to be ascribed to the end of the 111 millennium B.C. This is a chronological moment of outstanding importance, on account of its association with similar phases in Northern Iran (Tepe Hissar, IIlb), in the valley of Kandahar .(Mundigak IV), in the Iranian Baluohistan (Bampur), and the Pakistani Baluchistan (Damb Saadat and Rana "Gundhai).
At the entrance of vibara no. 23 (not yet excavated) there has come to light a fragment of monochrome muraI painting, figuring a worshipper. In addition, the position has been identified of further fragments of paintings, that will be pulled off in the next campaign. The sculptures, as well as the muraI painting, are priceless testimonies to the coming into prominence of a common figurative culture, in an area
The notable phenomena of wind erosion lead us to infer the existence of successive and later phases of continuous settlement; this thesis, however, has not yet received confirmation, neither by the study of the surface finds, nor by the stratigraphic evidence. 344
Fig. 1 - Shahr-i Sokhta (Sistan). Sectors C, D, E, F, seen ÂŁrom the north side.
Fig. 2 - Shahr-i Sokhta (Sistan). Sector B, superimposed mud-brick structures in the upper levels.
Fig. 3 - Shahr-i Sokhta (Sist3n). Little globular vase decorated with brown painted pattern around the neck. Layer of decomposed day (second half of the 3rd milI. B.C.)
Fig. 4 - Shahr-i Sokhta (Sistan). Painted jar decorated with hatched triangles and combs. Layer of decomposed day (second half of the 3rd mill. B.c.)
EAST AND WEST
IsMEO New Series, VoI. 17 - Nos. 3-4 (September-December 1967) i ~