Shahr-e Sukhteh


Occupied from 3200-2100 BCE, the expansive site of Shahr-e Sukhteh (the Burnt City of Zabol) covers over 300,000 hectares and includes many satellite villages, some within Afghanistan's borders. This prehistoric site boasts of many firsts. The ceramic vessel shown on this 2008 stamp has consecutive images of a goat eating leaves and when spun, it becomes animated; the first animated picture. The first caraway seeds, backgammon set, and artificial eyeball were discovered here too.  
Osteophytes on a man's right distal femur and proximal tibia suggest extended periods of riding a camel. It is common to fold a leg up while riding a large animal, scholars believe this pathology to be an occupational indicator of a courier. A trend noted among the skeletons was the ratio of women was significantly higher than males and the females lived much longer. Although there is no presence of fortifications or weaponry is it possible that the soldiers were hired out by other cities with the fighting done elsewhere? Or it this a sampling issue? Why is there this age at death and male to female ratio discrepancy?

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