32 Ancient Cities That Are Older Than the Pyramids

25. Shahr-e Sukhteh, Iran: The Burnt City

A contemporary of early Sumer and predating the Giza pyramids, Shahr-e Sukhteh ("Burnt City") thrived between 3200 and 2350 BCE. This Bronze Age metropolis on the Iranian plateau reveals astonishing preservation due to the arid climate, yielding artifacts like the earliest known artificial eye and evidence of complex crafts. Its planned layout, distinct specialized zones, and wide trade connections indicate a sophisticated, independent urban civilization outside the traditional Mesopotamian narrative. Its sudden abandonment adds to the mystery of this significant, yet often overlooked, ancient city.