Tepe Hissar

A pre-historic tourist destination, 6000 years old, in Semnan, is a fascinating site for archaeology and history fans. 2 km from Damghan, it presents an uninhabitable place formerly dwelled by some developed residents. Surveys by archaeologists indicate that the ancient place dates back to mid-fifth millennium BC and was resided until 1700  BC. It involves 3 forts, the first, representing the early residents, goes back from the 5th to the 2nd millennium  BCE. The yellow-orange-colored structures are probably the same as Cheshme Ali’s and Tepe Sialk’s. They have gradually turned to yellowish color. There is no special order in buildings here.

The second one, where life existed for few years, boasts gray mud-brick with tall columns and even floor, displaying the evolved form of architecture. The first and second are similar in some ways but they are basically different. The 4-sided houses often had a central place for cooking. Other rooms seemingly have no organization.

The last represents varying theories on the history: some believe that it dates to the era of Akad in Mesopotamia while others are of the opinion that it dates from 2000 BC. This era has seen a dramatic evolution. One amazing thing about the history of the place is the advancement of metal-working industry. Melted copper was used for a variety of practical reasons. In fact, copper objects have replaced stone items. Copper swords, daggers, knives, needles and awls were manufactured for daily uses. Tappe Hissar also involves an industrial region as well, which is deeply polluted as its ruins are seen up to 100 meters away.

The historic place was partially examined in 1930s yet there are mysteries that need to be uncovered. Explored by the renowned German archaeologist, Erich Schmidt, it was excavated to discover the history of the site. It was found out that a castle was there which was set on fire in an attack. The signs of a bloodshed which ruined the civilization of Hissar existed in the site. Some burned items were unearthed among which are gold, silver,and lead objects along with human corpses and stone wares. In 1976 and 1994, the site was dug again to get more reliable information.