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Journal of Sistan and Baluchistan Studies

Journal of Sistan and Baluchistan Studies

Preliminary Systematic Archaeological Survey Report of Jizd, Roshtkhar, Khorasan, Iran

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors
1 Associate professor, Department of Geography- Iranian Studies, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
2 M.A. in Archaeology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Neyshabur, Neyshabur. Iran
3 Lecturer, Department of Geography- Iranian Studies, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Guilan,
4 M.A. in Archaeology, Tarbiat Modares University, Director of the Lambsar cultural heritage base.
5 Ph.D. in Archaeology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Tehran. Tehran. Iran.
6 M.A. in Ancient Languages, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Tehran, Tehran. Iran.
7 B.A. in Archaeology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Neyshabur, Neyshabur. Iran
8 Ph.D. student in Archaeology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Tehran, Tehran. Iran.
9 Ph.D. student in Archaeology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran. Iran.
10.22034/jsbs.2026.544326.1106
Abstract
The Jizd site is an Islamic-era settlement dating from the 5th to 8th centuries AH (Islamic calendar). Historical sources suggest that the city was severely damaged and likely abandoned after a devastating earthquake in the 8th century AH. This systematic survey aimed to study the site comprehensively. The research focused on two main objectives: the typology of pottery for relative dating and understanding the spatial usage of different spaces. The site was divided into smaller areas and then into 10x10 meter grids. Surface data were collected, categorized and analyzed using GIS to map and interpret the findings. The analysis indicates that Jizd was occupied from the 3rd-4th centuries AH to the 9th century AH, extending the previously estimated timeline by approximately 200 years. The findings also suggest that Jizd was not immediately abandoned after the 8th-century earthquake, despite severe damage. The northern area of the site included industrial zones and iron smelting workshops outside the residential area. Simple pottery was mostly found in the western part, raising questions about the socio-economic status of different part of site. The Jizd site is an Islamic-era settlement dating from the 5th to 8th centuries AH (Islamic calendar). Historical sources suggest that the city was severely damaged and likely abandoned after a devastating earthquake in the 8th century AH. This systematic survey aimed to study the site comprehensively. The research focused on two main objectives: the typology of pottery for relative dating and understanding the spatial usage of different spaces. The site was divided into smaller areas and then into 10x10 meter grids. Surface data were collected, categorized and analyzed using GIS to map and interpret the findings. The analysis indicates that Jizd was occupied from the 3rd-4th centuries AH to the 9th century AH, extending the previously estimated timeline by approximately 200 years. The findings also suggest that Jizd was not immediately abandoned after the 8th-century earthquake, despite severe damage. The northern area of the site included industrial zones and iron smelting workshops outside the residential area. Simple pottery was mostly found in the western part, raising questions about the socio-economic status of different part of site.
Keywords


Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 16 July 2026

  • Receive Date 21 October 2025
  • Revise Date 19 December 2025
  • Accept Date 16 July 2026
  • Publish Date 16 July 2026