Rouhollah Yousefi; Hassan Afshari Salaki; Donya Etemadifar
Abstract
Based on archaeological evidence, during the mid and late fourth millennium BCE, Godin Tepe lacked hallmark Uruk material culture (such as distinctive pottery, specific architecture, ...
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Based on archaeological evidence, during the mid and late fourth millennium BCE, Godin Tepe lacked hallmark Uruk material culture (such as distinctive pottery, specific architecture, or administrative technologies), and thus cannot be identified as a purely Uruk trading outpost. The discovery of tablets with layouts and structures closely resembling Proto-Elamite texts indicates the existence of a local administrative system linked to the management of highland community resources, integrating Godin Tepe into the wider Proto-Elamite economic network. The complementary functions of pastoral nomadism (livestock products and transport services) and sedentary agriculture (agricultural produce and handicrafts) suggest that Godin Tepe acted as a conduit for regional exchange and a seasonal gathering place for nomadic groups. Findings such as the coexistence of Susa II economic tablets and formative Proto-Elamite types, the presence of pottery from the highlands and the central plateau, and the application of standard Proto-Elamite architecture reinforce the site’s role as a multi-cultural commercial hub and a meeting point for administrative technologies (including economic tablets and sealings). Additionally, storage facilities and large jars underline Godin’s function in warehousing and distribution. Chronologically, the material culture of Godin VI:1 bridges the gap between Susa II and Susa III and documents the initial stage of Proto-Elamite formation (ca. 3500–3200 BCE), marking the transformation from purely numerical tablets to fully developed Proto-Elamite texts. This “Formative Proto-Elamite” phase is defined by administrative innovations, cultural diversity, and expanded regional interaction, occurring in parallel with the ongoing Uruk/Susa II culture. Collectively, the evidence positions Godin Tepe not as a peripheral Uruk outpost, but as an active commercial center for Proto-Elamite pastoral nomads, with a central role in the development of administrative systems.
