Shir Ashian Tepe

Shir Ashian Tepe is a prehistoric archaeological site located in the Semnan Province of Iran, approximately 15 kilometers southwest of Damghan. The site is significant for its pottery fragments and other artifacts which suggest occupation during a transitional period in the mid-5th millennium BCE. These artifacts are comparable to those from the late Tepe Sialk II and Anau IA phases, indicating that Shir Ashian Tepe serves as a key link between these regions and phases. Despite the lack of architectural remains, possibly due to erosion or its use as a temporary encampment, the site offers valuable insights into the cultural and chronological transitions in north-central Iran, bridging the gap between the Sialk II and Sialk III periods, and preceding the Tepe Hissar IA period.