New Evidence of the Emergence of Complex Societies

The archaeological mound of Sofalin south of the Alborz Mountains of Northern Iran (Eastern Rey plain) sheds considerable light on at least four problems connected with the emergence of complex societies in this part of Iran. The first, it helps fill a chronological gap in an important archaeological sequence by revealing a previously unidentified late fourth and third millennium B.C. sequence of occupations. Second, the remains recovered from the mound illustrate a surprising sophistication in the use of proto-Elamite economic and numerical tablets, as well as cylindrical seal impressions. Third, it shows an early stage of an administration system in this area which has not been identified before. Finally, the data may reflect a development from a rather generalized subsistence economy based on agriculture to an economy based on longdistance trade connected with the import and export of goods.