Ancient Herat

This final book of the Ancient Herat series presents the results of a field reconnaissance undertaken between 2004 and 2006 to document archaeological sites and historical monuments. The survey, which was based on maps, aerial photographs and interviews, covered parts of 13 of the 16 districts of Herat Province; over 4000 km were covered on foot and by car. Many of the 354 sites were previously unknown, others no longer exist. 

Since visual information is of crucial importance, we have decided to present the largest possible amount of available data in this volume as well, wherever possible. Therefore, the regional material culture, mainly pottery in addition to the buildings, is presented here for the first time in a comprehensive form and placed in a spatial context. Despite the difficult conditions, distribution patterns of buildings and settlements can be discerned, which allow conclusions on the land use from the late 3rd millennium BC to the 19th century. Thus, for the first time, the city of Herat can be considered in the context of a hinterland.