Excavation at Buildings Nos.1 and 20 at Shahr-i-Sokhta

Here are presented the preliminary results of excavations in buildings Nos. 1 and 20. The first one is large, with tens of rooms/ spaces and 6 structural levels (Levels A-F) of periods II and III. Level A is the oldest and most structures of this level are storage rooms, containing seals, seal impressions and other administrative objects. Level B is not well-documented, although changes are seen in the use of the architectural complex. Level C is somehow similar to the previous one. In Level D the Building becomes a large structure, perhaps attesting growing social complexity in Sistan. The main entrances are on the southern side, living spaces are on the central axis and storage spaces on the eastern and western margins. About 50 Spaces were excavated in Level E, but the main part of the structures of this level consists in 10 rooms. Level F is the last one, later on this part of the settlement was abandoned. Building 20 lies northwest of Building 1. Excavations lasted only 25 days and are not complete. The complex has 12 spaces disposed in a northsouth direction with a coherent architecture of mud bricks. Rooms have right angles and walls approximately 70 - 80 cm thick. The main entrances of building were generally painted with two layers of red and white plaster. In spaces 4 and 5 were found two very large fireplaces, filled with a large amount of ash and charcoal. The exterior of the fireplaces were coated with white clay plaster. According to the very few materials, mainly pottery, this building can be dated to period IV.