A Study of Bronze Age Storage and Warehouse Architecture at Tappeh Graziani, Sistan, Iran

During the Bronze Age, the Sistan civilisation experienced significant cultural and economic development, with Shahr-i Sokhta emerging as a major production and commercial hub. This site played a crucial role in facilitating economic and cultural exchanges within the region. Surrounding Shahr-i Sokhta were numerous industrial and residential sites, with Tappeh Graziani being one of the largest. Over three excavation seasons, substantial evidence of Bronze Age activity at Tappeh Graziani has been uncovered, particularly from Trenches Nos. 4 and 7, which were excavated during the second and third seasons.This study aims to analyse the architectural features of Tappeh Graziani based on the findings from these excavations. The excavation results indicate that the buildings at Tappeh Graziani were constructed using mud bricks and a form of brick known as “chineh”. The architectural layout features square rooms at the centre, surrounded by rectangular spaces—a pattern consistent with other sites in the Sistan region. The evidence suggests a socially complex society during the Bronze Age, as indicated by the presence of industrial products stored in warehouses under the supervision of designated individuals. This conclusion is further supported by the discovery of seals and sealings at the site.