32 Ancient Cities That Are Older Than the Pyramids

20. Tepe Sialk: Iran’s Forgotten Urban Legacy

Tepe Sialk, near modern-day Kashan in Iran, dates back to the 6th millennium BCE and provides one of the most complete records of prehistoric life in the Iranian plateau. This site includes early examples of ziggurat-style architecture and shows a progression from simple village to complex urban center. Sialk was a hub of ceramic innovation, metallurgy, and trade. Its extensive burial grounds reveal class distinctions and evolving spiritual practices. Despite its obscurity outside academic circles, Tepe Sialk plays a vital role in understanding the dawn of civilization in Central Asia.