Tepe Sialk is a pair of prehistoric mounds on the western edge of Kashan that represent one of the oldest known settlements in Iran — possibly in the world. Excavations by the French archaeologist Roman Ghirshman in the 1930s found continuous occupation going back to around 6000 BCE, making this one of the most significant prehistoric sites in the Middle East.
The two main mounds — the northern one older, the southern more recent — are now partially visible as low grass-covered rises behind a fence. The site lacks the dramatic presentation of better-resourced archaeological parks, but the sheer depth of history is remarkable: the excavations here uncovered some of the earliest known examples of writing in the world, predating Mesopotamian cuneiform, as well as extraordinary painted ceramics that are now in the Louvre and the National Museum of Iran in Tehran.
The small on-site museum provides context, though much of the best material was removed by Ghirshman to Paris. The site is a UNESCO tentative list candidate. Worth visiting for anyone with a serious interest in the ancient world, though casual visitors may find the visible remains underwhelming compared to the historical significance.
Getting there: About 4km west of central Kashan; taxi recommended.
Hours: Daily 8am–5pm
Admission: Small entrance fee