Essays on the history and Archaeology of Southeastern Balochistan in modern day Iran and Pakistan. Includes an examination of artifacts and material culture.

The Archaeology of Southeastern Balochistan

An exciting look at the western side of the ancient Indus civilization, where new cultures and surprises await that indicate how well developed surrounding cultures to the major Indus areas were. Baluchistan is Pakistan's largest province (1). It is marked by a rugged, highly differentiated environment with many different habitats (2). The Makran Range in the south divi… >

5: The Third Millenium BCE: 3000 - 2500 BCE

Niai Buthi is the most impressive early 3rd millennium BCE site in the plain of Las Bela. It is 13 hectares large and 13 meters high (32). Two trenches were opened in 1999 (33, 34, 35). Virgin soil was not reached, but the levels exposed at plain level correspond to the last phase of occupation at Adam Buthi. In addition to purplish slipped unpainted pottery, Togau B and K… >

6: Later Third Millenium BCE Sites

Kulli Most sites in northern and central Balochistan were abandoned around 2600 BC. This development is probably related to the expansion of the Indus Civilization. Southern Balochistan, however, continued to be inhabited by a people labelled "Kulli." This cultural complex is named after a site in Kolwa which was discovered by Aurel Stein. Since then, several other sites b… >

7: Historic Period

Subsequent to the Kulli occupation, all sites in southeastern Balochistan were abandoned. Not even remains of camp sites were discovered. The next archaeological traces belong to the so-called Historic Period. Very little is known about this time beyond the few cultural, religious, and political centers which are located in the northern areas of Pakistan, and in Punjab and Sin… >

8: Islamic Period

After Mohammad Ibn al-Qasim had conquered Makran and Sindh in 712 CE, many sites continued, or started, to flourish (113, 114, https://www.harappa.com/baluch/115, 116). However, as during the previous times, very little is known about the peripheral and remote areas.In Sindh Kohistan, the Hab Valley, and in the plain of Las Bela we found the remains of a few settlements or … >

2: Introduction

The prehistoric period was certainly the most prosperous period in this cycle: during in the earlier 2nd millennium BCE, the settlements were abandoned and no human traces left, whereas after a short intermezzo during the Historic Period, the sites clearly reflect that away from the cultural, economic, and political centers, migratory pastoralism and a nomadic life-style was… >

3: Las Bela

The plain of Las Bela, or the Porali trough, is a triangular lowland embankment. Only in this plain true mounds are found. Sites located on the gravel plains have very shallow cultural deposits. Despite the rather fertile environment, the number of sites was surprisingly low.The most important prehistoric settlements are Adam Buthi, Niai Buthi, and Balakot. Balakot which is … >

4: Fourth Millenium: 3500 - 3000 BCE

Adam Buthi is the earliest site discovered in southeastern Balochistan (18, 19). It was occupied around the mid-4th millennium BCE and abandoned around 3000 BCE, well before the height of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization. It is a small (0.14 hectares), but high mound (7.5 meters). The sections revealed several phases of super-imposed, well-built stone houses terra… >