Archaeologists have uncovered a remarkable Bronze Age site in northeastern Iran that is shedding new light on the BMAC civilization of Central Asia. The discovery, made after a local villager accidentally exposed ancient burials at Kalat-e Yavar, is revealing previously unknown cultural connections between the Iranian Plateau and the Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex.
But the story of how this Bronze Age site came to light began with an entirely unexpected discovery.
A discovery that began by chance
The story of Kalat-e Yavar began unexpectedly in 2021, when a villager working near the mound uncovered a burial containing Bronze Age artefacts. The find quickly drew the attention of archaeologists, who soon began investigating the area.
A discovery that began by chance
The story of Kalat-e Yavar began unexpectedly in 2021. While working near the mound, a villager uncovered a burial containing Bronze Age artefacts. The find quickly drew the attention of archaeologists, who soon began investigating the area.
A geophysical survey followed, using magnetometry to examine what lay beneath the surface. The results revealed several anomalies that appeared to correspond to graves and architectural remains. Encouraged by these findings, archaeologists launched systematic excavations during the 2023 and 2024 field seasons.
When trenches were opened across the mound, researchers encountered a sequence of archaeological deposits reaching roughly 3.5 meters in depth, indicating multiple phases of activity at the site.
A settlement overlooking the Bojnord Plain
Kalat-e Yavar lies just southeast of the city of Bojnord in North Khorasan Province, on a mound rising about 15 meters above the surrounding landscape. The site covers an area of roughly 400 by 250 meters and sits between two seasonal streams.
Although parts of the mound have been affected by modern agriculture and construction, large sections remain well preserved. Excavations have revealed both architectural remains and burial areas, particularly in the southern sector of the site.
Its location is significant. Northeastern Iran sits along natural corridors that historically connected the Iranian Plateau with the oases and steppe regions of Central Asia.
Bronze Age burials emerge from the soil
Among the most important discoveries were a series of human burials belonging to different phases of the Bronze Age.
Some graves contained no accompanying artefacts but displayed burial positions characteristic of the Early Bronze Age. Individuals were placed on their sides with slightly flexed limbs, typically oriented north–south with their faces turned west. Archaeologists believe these burials likely date to around 3000–2500 BCE.
Other burials contained pottery vessels and small offerings placed near the body. One juvenile burial, for example, was accompanied by a ceramic vessel, while other graves included multiple objects.
The orientation of the bodies and the associated grave goods closely resemble funerary traditions of the Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex (BMAC)—a major Bronze Age cultural horizon that flourished across parts of Central Asia.
Traces of daily life
Excavations also revealed clear evidence of everyday life at the settlement.
In one trench, archaeologists uncovered the stone foundations of a substantial building, together with thick layers of ash and domestic refuse. These deposits included broken stone tools, animal bones and numerous ceramic fragments—remnants of activities that once took place nearby.
Elsewhere, two large storage jars were discovered set into the ground, likely used to store agricultural products. Grinding stones, plant remains and animal bones suggest that the inhabitants relied on a mixed farming and herding economy.
Evidence of a Bronze Age pottery workshop
One of the most revealing discoveries at Kalat-e Yavar was a circular pottery kiln containing misfired ceramic fragments.
Such kiln waste—known as “wasters”—is strong evidence that pottery was produced locally. This indicates that the settlement supported its own craft production rather than relying entirely on imported goods.
The kiln also suggests that Kalat-e Yavar may have played a role in regional exchange networks during the Bronze Age.
Artefacts from a connected world
The artefacts recovered from the site reflect a diverse material culture. Archaeologists found pottery vessels, copper-alloy objects, bone and stone tools, and various personal ornaments.
Among the most distinctive ceramics is a finely polished Grey Ware pottery, decorated with incised motifs. Similar vessels are known from archaeological sites in the Gorgan Plain and the Kopet-Dag region, indicating wider cultural connections.
Other finds include clay animal figurines, spindle whorls, gaming pieces and beads made from materials such as lapis lazuli and carnelian—minerals often associated with long-distance exchange networks in the ancient world.
Northeastern Iran as a Bronze Age crossroads
Taken together, the discoveries at Kalat-e Yavar suggest that the Bojnord Plain formed part of a wider cultural landscape linking the Iranian Plateau with Central Asia.
The pottery traditions combine elements associated with early Grey Ware cultures as well as features characteristic of the BMAC horizon, which flourished during the late third and early second millennia BCE.
Rather than being a remote frontier, northeastern Iran appears to have been an active contact zone where ideas, technologies and cultural practices moved between regions.
Future research at Kalat-e Yavar will focus on refining the chronology of the ceramics, studying metallurgical evidence and analysing botanical and faunal remains.
Vahdati, A. A., Mohammadkhani, K., Mahjoub, Z. 2026. Excavations at the Bronze Age Site of Kalat-e Yavar (Bojnord Plain, NE Iran): First Results. Antiquity. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2026.103