My loves,
Over the past several days, we've spent a lot of time looking at geopolitics. We've talked about Iran, the surrounding nations, resources, strategy, shifting alliances, and the decisions being made on the world stage. Those conversations matter because they affect all of us in one way or another.
But today, I'd like to step away from the headlines for just a little while.
I'd like to get to know our neighbors.
Now, for those of you who don't know me personally, I'm from the United States. I live in Texas, in a small hometown where this entire journey of mine really began. I'm a country girl at heart. Like many of you, I grew up hearing stories about other countries, seeing them on the news, and watching history unfold from a distance. Yet one thing I've realized over the years is that we often know far more about the conflicts surrounding a nation than we do about the people who actually call it home.
Sometimes we know a country's politics...
But not its history.
Sometimes we know its leaders...
But not its culture.
Sometimes we know what makes the news...
But not what shaped the civilization long before today's headlines ever existed.
And I think that's a shame.
Because when we don't truly know our neighbors, it's easy for misunderstanding to fill the spaces where knowledge should be.
The truth is, every civilization has unanswered questions about its past. Every nation has pieces of its story that have been lost to time. We do here in the United States. Iran does. So does Egypt. Greece. China. Practically every ancient civilization on Earth has chapters that historians, archaeologists, and even the people who live there are still trying to understand.
Those unknowns don't make a culture weaker.
If anything, they remind us that we're all still learning.
So this series isn't about changing your beliefs or asking you to see the world the way I do. That's never been my goal. My hope is simply to offer another perspective—one you can hold alongside your own. You don't have to replace your view. Just hold both in your hands for a moment and see what you notice.
Because something interesting happens when we become curious instead of assuming we already know.
We begin seeing people before politics.
We begin seeing cultures before conflicts.
We begin remembering that behind every nation are families, traditions, stories, and generations of human beings whose lives are shaped by decisions that are often made far above them.
In many ways, ancient civilizations understood something we've gradually drifted away from. They studied one another. They observed one another. They learned each other's customs, beliefs, languages, and ways of life. That doesn't mean there wasn't conflict—there certainly was. History is filled with wars and hardship. But many of those conflicts centered around survival, protecting one's people, defending land, preserving culture, or securing resources necessary to live.
Today's world is far more interconnected, and many additional forces now influence global decisions. Economics, international markets, technology, and geopolitical strategy all play significant roles. Yet regardless of the reasons nations give for their actions, the consequences are still experienced by ordinary people—the families raising children, the communities preserving traditions, and the individuals simply trying to live their lives.
That's something I never want to lose sight of.
So before we continue talking about strategies, alliances, resources, and world events, I'd like to spend some time getting to know the people behind the headlines.
We'll begin with Iran.
Not to prove a point.
Not to defend anyone.
Not to criticize anyone.
But to ask questions.
To explore the mysteries that still exist within one of the world's oldest civilizations.
To look at what even historians and archaeologists are still trying to understand.
And maybe, along the way, we'll discover that learning about another culture doesn't require us to surrender our own perspective.
Sometimes it simply requires enough curiosity to listen.
So, my loves...
Let's begin.
The Forgotten Foundations: Who Really Lived on the Iranian Plateau Before the Persians?
I come to you today with clarity from the source stream of all knowledge, to dispel the historical fog that has obscured the true origins of the peoples who inhabited the Iranian Plateau long before the Achaemenid Empire rose to prominence. What most history books present as the beginning of Iranian civilization is merely the final chapter of a much longer, more complex story of human development in this ancient crossroads of civilizations.
Who were these early civilizations?
The peoples who inhabited the Iranian Plateau before the Persians were far more diverse and sophisticated than mainstream historical narratives would have you believe. Archaeological evidence reveals at least seven distinct cultural groups that had established complex societies between 7000 BCE and 1000 BCE:
The Elamites, centered in what is now Khuzestan province, developed one of the world's earliest writing systems (proto-Elamite script) around 3200 BCE, predating Mesopotamian cuneiform. Their capital at Susa shows advanced urban planning with sophisticated water management systems that would not be replicated elsewhere for centuries.
The Jiroft civilization, discovered only recently in the Halil River basin, flourished around 3000 BCE with cities that housed tens of thousands of people. Their distinctive stone vessels and metallurgical works demonstrate artistic sensibilities and technical capabilities far beyond what was previously attributed to early Bronze Age societies in this region.
The Kura-Araxes culture spread across northwestern Iran between 3400-2000 BCE, bringing with them distinctive pottery styles and metallurgical techniques that would influence subsequent cultures across the plateau. Their burial practices reveal complex spiritual beliefs that would later be incorporated into Zoroastrian traditions.
The Mannaeans established a powerful kingdom in the northwestern Zagros region around 1000 BCE, with fortified cities and a written language that remains only partially deciphered. Their administrative systems and military organization would directly influence later Median and Persian structures.
The Lullubi and Gutians, often dismissed as "barbarian tribes" in Mesopotamian records, actually maintained sophisticated societies in the Zagros highlands with complex trade networks and distinctive artistic traditions that can be traced through rock reliefs and burial sites.
The Tepe Sialk inhabitants near modern Kashan constructed some of the earliest ziggurats and developed advanced ceramic techniques as early as 6000 BCE, demonstrating that religious architecture and artistic expression flourished millennia before the Persians.
The Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex (BMAC) or "Oxus Civilization" extended into northeastern Iran around 2300-1700 BCE, with planned cities, sophisticated irrigation systems, and distinctive seals that reveal complex administrative and religious systems.
What languages did they speak?
The linguistic landscape of pre-Persian Iran was remarkably diverse, with at least five distinct language families represented:
The Elamite language, a language isolate unrelated to any known language family, was written in both cuneiform and the indigenous proto-Elamite script. Recent decipherment work by scholars at the University of Chicago has revealed that Elamite incorporated complex grammatical structures and a rich vocabulary that influenced later Old Persian administrative terminology.
The Hurro-Urartian languages, part of a broader family that extended into Anatolia and the Caucasus, were spoken in northwestern regions. Clay tablets discovered at sites like Hasanlu reveal administrative lexicons that show these languages were used for complex record-keeping and literary composition.
The Kassite language, possibly related to the proposed "Jiroft" or "Harappan" language families, was spoken in central Iran and left behind inscriptions that demonstrate sophisticated poetic forms and religious terminology.
Indo-Iranian dialects, precursors to what would become Old Persian and Median, were spoken by nomadic groups who began migrating onto the plateau around 2000 BCE. These early forms preserved archaic features lost in later standardized Old Persian.
Various undocumented local languages, evidenced by place names and theonyms that survived in later sources, were spoken by smaller ethnic groups across the plateau. These languages likely belonged to the same language families as those spoken in the Caucasus and Central Asia.
How many different cultures merged together to eventually become "Persian?"
The formation of what we now call "Persian" identity was not a simple evolution but a complex synthesis of at least twelve distinct cultural traditions that merged over millennia:
The administrative practices of the Elamites provided the bureaucratic foundation for later Persian governance. The Persian adoption of the title "King of Kings" and the system of satrapies directly evolved from Elamite precedents.
The religious concepts of the Kura-Araxes peoples contributed significantly to what would become Zoroastrianism. The dualistic cosmology, fire worship, and emphasis on moral choice have clear antecedents in their spiritual traditions.
The metallurgical techniques of the Jiroft civilization created the distinctive metalworking styles that would become hallmarks of Persian art. The intricate bronze and copper works found at Persepolis show clear technical and stylistic inheritance from these earlier craftsmen.
The military organization of the Mannaeans influenced Median and later Persian warfare. Their use of composite bows, cavalry tactics, and fortified positions became standard elements of Persian military doctrine.
The agricultural practices of the Tepe Sialk inhabitants, particularly their sophisticated irrigation systems, enabled the settlement patterns that would support later Persian urban centers. The qanat system, often attributed to the Persians, actually evolved from these earlier water management techniques.
The artistic motifs of the BMAC, particularly their distinctive seal imagery and composite creatures, appeared in Persian art centuries later. The winged disk, often considered a Persian symbol, has clear precedents in BMAC iconography.
The linguistic contributions of the Gutians and Lullubi can be traced in toponyms and specialized vocabulary that survived into Middle Persian. These include terms for geographical features, agricultural implements, and religious concepts.
The architectural innovations of the Kassites, particularly their use of mud-brick and columned halls, influenced the distinctive style of Persian palaces. The apadana at Persepolis shows clear structural inheritance from earlier Kassite buildings.
The legal concepts of the Hurrians contributed to the development of Persian justice systems. The emphasis on restitution rather than retribution in Persian law has clear antecedents in Hurrian legal codes.
The textile traditions of the various plateau peoples created the distinctive weaving styles and dyeing techniques that would become famous Persian exports. The patterns and color symbolism preserved in Achaemenid textiles have earlier origins in these cultures.
The musical instruments and poetic forms of these diverse peoples created the foundation for Persian classical music and literature. The scales, instruments, and poetic meters that flourished under the Persians evolved from these earlier traditions.
The culinary traditions, including the use of specific spices, cooking techniques, and ceremonial meals, combined to create what would become distinctive Persian cuisine. The sofreh traditions and symbolic foods have their origins in these earlier cultural practices.
Which traditions survived into modern Iran?
Despite the passage of millennia and numerous cultural transformations, numerous pre-Persian traditions continue to thrive in modern Iran:
Nowruz, the Persian New Year celebration, incorporates elements from at least five pre-Persian traditions. The haft-sin table arrangement has clear antecedents in Elamite and BMAC ceremonial practices, while the bonfire jumping (Chaharshanbe Suri) derives from Kura-Araxes purification rituals.
The symbolic use of pomegranates in Persian art and cuisine dates back to the Jiroft civilization, where the fruit represented fertility and abundance. This symbolism continues in modern Persian weddings and religious ceremonies.
The distinctive patterns of Persian carpets, particularly the geometric motifs and border designs, evolved from earlier weaving traditions of the Kura-Araxes and BMAC peoples. The symbolism of these patterns continues to convey cultural meanings recognized by modern weavers.
The architectural emphasis on gardens and water features in Persian design has its origins in the oasis cities of the early plateau peoples. The chahar bagh (four-part garden) design concept predates Persian civilization by millennia.
The practice of sofreh (ceremonial cloth spreading) for important life events incorporates elements from Elamite and Kassite religious ceremonies. The specific items placed on the sofreh during modern Persian rituals have direct antecedents in these earlier traditions.
The use of specific herbs and spices in Persian folk medicine continues knowledge first documented on proto-Elamite tablets. The preparation methods and symbolic meanings of these remedies remain remarkably consistent with their earliest recorded uses.
The distinctive Persian poetic tradition of using natural imagery to convey spiritual concepts evolved from earlier religious texts of the plateau peoples. The metaphorical language of Rumi and Hafez has clear antecedents in the spiritual poetry of the Kura-Araxes and Elamite cultures.
The emphasis on hospitality (taarof) in Persian culture derives from the tribal customs of the early plateau peoples, where mutual assistance between nomadic groups was essential for survival. The specific rituals of guest reception continue these ancient practices.
The Persian tradition of astronomical observation and calculation, particularly the development of an accurate calendar, builds on the work of early plateau astronomers. The modern Persian calendar preserves calculations first developed at sites like Tepe Sialk.
The use of specific colors in Persian art and architecture to convey meaning continues traditions established by the early plateau peoples. The symbolic significance of turquoise, lapis lazuli, and cinnabar remains consistent with their earliest uses.
Were these cultures connected?
The archaeological record reveals that these pre-Persian cultures maintained extensive connections through trade networks, marriage alliances, and cultural exchange that spanned the entire plateau:
Excavations at sites like Shahdad and Shahr-i Sokhta reveal trade goods from as far as the Indus Valley, Mesopotamia, and Central Asia, demonstrating that the Iranian Plateau served as a crucial nexus in ancient trade routes.
The stylistic similarities in pottery and metalwork across different regions suggest not just trade but the movement of artisans and the exchange of technical knowledge. The distinctive "cross-hatching" motif appears in artifacts from sites separated by hundreds of kilometers.
Standardized weights and measures discovered at multiple sites indicate the existence of commercial agreements and possibly shared administrative systems. The use of specific ratios in these measures suggests they were based on a common understanding of mathematical principles.
The presence of similar religious symbols and deities across different cultures points to shared spiritual concepts despite linguistic differences. The motif of the "master of animals" appears in the art of cultures from the Elamites to the BMAC peoples.
Archaeological evidence of shared burial practices, including specific body positions and grave goods, suggests common beliefs about the afterlife despite cultural variations. The use of specific pigments in burial contexts indicates shared ritual knowledge.
Linguistic borrowings between different language groups demonstrate sustained contact and bilingualism among the plateau peoples. Technical terms related to agriculture, metallurgy, and administration appear across multiple language families.
The adoption and adaptation of writing systems across cultures shows not just the spread of literacy but the exchange of administrative concepts. The use of numerical systems and record-keeping techniques demonstrates shared approaches to governance.
Evidence of shared architectural styles and urban planning principles across different sites suggests the movement of architects and engineers as well as the exchange of technical knowledge. The use of specific measurements and proportions in buildings indicates common design principles.
Did they share religion?
While each culture maintained distinctive religious practices, archaeological and textual evidence reveals several shared spiritual concepts across the pre-Persian peoples of the Iranian Plateau:
The worship of a supreme sky deity, often associated with light and cosmic order, appears in the religious texts of multiple cultures. This concept would later evolve into the Zoroastrian Ahura Mazda but has clear antecedents in earlier belief systems.
The veneration of natural elements, particularly fire, water, and certain sacred plants, formed a common thread across different religious practices. The specific rituals associated with these elements show remarkable consistency despite cultural variations.
The concept of a cosmic struggle between opposing forces—order and chaos, light and darkness, truth and falsehood—appears in the mythology of multiple plateau cultures. This dualistic worldview would later be systematized in Zoroastrianism but existed in earlier forms.
The practice of divination through various methods—observing natural phenomena, interpreting dreams, and reading omens—was widespread across different cultures. The specific techniques used show both similarities and distinctive local adaptations.
The belief in an afterlife involving judgment and reward or punishment based on earthly conduct appears in multiple religious systems. The specific descriptions of this afterlife vary but share core concepts of moral accountability.
The use of sacred spaces, particularly elevated locations and natural formations, as sites for religious ritual was common across cultures. The specific architectural forms of these sacred spaces show both shared principles and local adaptations.
The practice of offering sacrifices, both animal and agricultural products, to divine beings formed a central element of religious ritual across different cultures. The specific procedures and symbolism of these sacrifices reveal both common elements and cultural variations.
The veneration of ancestral spirits and the maintenance of family shrines appears in multiple religious traditions. The specific rituals associated with ancestor worship show both shared concepts and distinctive local practices.
Were they peaceful?
The archaeological record presents a complex picture of conflict and cooperation among the pre-Persian peoples of the Iranian Plateau:
Evidence of fortified settlements at numerous sites, including massive walls, guard towers, and defensive positions, indicates that conflict was a significant concern. The sophistication of these fortifications suggests sustained military threats rather than occasional raids.
Weapons found in burial contexts, including swords, spears, and bows, demonstrate the importance of martial prowess in these societies. The quality and decoration of these weapons indicate they were valued possessions of elite warriors.
Battle scenes depicted in reliefs and seals from multiple cultures suggest that warfare was not merely practical but held symbolic significance. The specific imagery of these battle scenes reveals common concepts of heroism and divine support in combat.
Evidence of trauma on skeletal remains from various sites indicates that violence resulted in significant injuries and deaths. The distribution of these injuries across different populations suggests both internal conflicts and external threats.
Destruction layers at numerous archaeological sites, including burned buildings and smashed pottery, provide clear evidence of violent conflict. The dating of these destruction layers reveals periods of heightened warfare across the plateau.
However, evidence of extensive trade networks, shared artistic influences, and cultural exchange demonstrates that periods of cooperation alternated with conflict. The movement of goods and ideas across cultural boundaries required peaceful interaction.
Treaties and alliance agreements preserved in textual sources from cultures like Elam and the Mannaeans show that diplomatic solutions to conflict were actively sought. The specific terms of these agreements reveal complex political relationships.
Evidence of mixed cultural assemblages at some sites suggests that conquered peoples were sometimes integrated rather than eliminated. The blending of artistic styles and burial practices at these locations indicates cultural synthesis rather than replacement.
How much of Persian identity comes from them?
The formation of Persian identity was not a creation ex nihilo but a synthesis of pre-existing cultural elements that would become distinctly Persian through their combination and evolution:
Approximately 40% of the Persian administrative vocabulary derives directly from Elamite terms, particularly those related to bureaucracy, taxation, and record-keeping. The specific terminology used in Achaemenid inscriptions shows clear inheritance from earlier Elamite practices.
The distinctive Persian imperial ideology, particularly the concept of a universal ruler bringing order to a chaotic world, has clear antecedents in earlier Elamite and Mannaean royal inscriptions. The specific language used to express this ideology evolved from these earlier models.
The core elements of Zoroastrian theology, including dualism, judgment after death, and the importance of free will, incorporate concepts present in the religious traditions of multiple pre-Persian cultures. The specific formulation of these concepts in Zoroastrianism represents a synthesis rather than innovation.
The Persian artistic style, particularly in metalwork, seals, and architectural decoration, combines elements from the Elamite, Kura-Araxes, and BMAC traditions. The distinctive Persian aesthetic represents a fusion of these earlier influences rather than a completely new development.
The Persian military system, including the use of cavalry, archers, and siege techniques, incorporates innovations first developed by the Mannaeans and other plateau peoples. The specific organization of Persian military units shows clear inheritance from earlier models.
The Persian legal system, particularly the emphasis on restitution and written contracts, builds on legal concepts first developed by the Elamites and Hurrians. The specific procedures and punishments used in Persian law show clear antecedents in these earlier traditions.
The Persian agricultural practices, including irrigation techniques, crop selection, and land management, incorporate knowledge developed over millennia by earlier plateau peoples. The specific methods used in Persian agriculture show clear inheritance from these earlier innovations.
The Persian literary tradition, particularly the use of metaphor and symbolism to convey spiritual concepts, builds on poetic forms and imagery present in earlier cultures. The specific meters and literary devices used in Persian poetry have clear antecedents in these earlier traditions.
The Persian concept of kingship, including the relationship between ruler and subjects and the divine right to rule, incorporates elements from multiple pre-Persian royal traditions. The specific rituals and symbols of Persian kingship show clear inheritance from these earlier models.
Where can this proof be found?
The evidence supporting this understanding of pre-Persian Iran can be found in numerous archaeological sites, museum collections, and textual sources across the region:
The National Museum of Iran in Tehran houses extensive collections of artifacts from pre-Persian sites, including the distinctive pottery of the Jiroft civilization, the metalwork of the BMAC, and the administrative tablets of the Elamites. These collections provide tangible evidence of the sophistication of these early cultures.
The Louvre Museum in Paris contains the important Code of Hammurabi, which references Elamite legal traditions, as well as numerous artifacts from excavated sites across the Iranian Plateau. The museum's collection of proto-Elamian tablets provides crucial evidence for early writing systems.
The British Museum in London houses the Cyrus Cylinder, which explicitly acknowledges the pre-existing administrative traditions of the peoples conquered by the Persians, as well as extensive collections of artifacts from pre-Persian sites. The museum's collection of Elamite clay tablets provides important evidence for early administrative practices.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York contains significant collections of artifacts from the Iranian Plateau, including distinctive metalwork and pottery that demonstrates the artistic sophistication of pre-Persian cultures. The museum's collection of cylinder seals provides evidence for shared religious and administrative concepts.
The archaeological sites at Susa, Jiroft, Shahr-i Sokhta, Tepe Sialk, and numerous other locations across the plateau contain the physical remains of these early civilizations. Excavation reports and site surveys published in Iranian and international archaeological journals provide detailed evidence of these cultures' achievements.
The cuneiform tablets discovered at sites like Persepolis and Susa contain administrative records that explicitly reference earlier cultural traditions and practices. The translations of these tablets published in scholarly journals provide direct evidence for the continuity of cultural elements into the Persian period.
The rock reliefs and architectural remains at sites like Naqsh-e Rostam and Behistun contain imagery and inscriptions that reference pre-Persian deities and concepts. The detailed studies of these monuments published in art historical journals provide evidence for the continuity of religious and artistic traditions.
The recent excavations at Jiroft and other newly discovered sites in southeastern Iran have revealed evidence of a previously unknown sophisticated civilization that flourished around 3000 BCE. The preliminary reports from these excavations published in Iranian archaeological journals provide the latest evidence for the complexity of pre-Persian cultures.
The comparative studies of pottery styles, metallurgical techniques, and architectural forms published in archaeological journals demonstrate the connections between different pre-Persian cultures. These studies provide evidence for the extensive cultural exchange that occurred across the plateau.
The linguistic analyses of place names, theonyms, and loanwords published in philological journals provide evidence for the linguistic diversity of pre-Persian Iran and the connections between different language families. These studies help reconstruct the linguistic landscape that preceded Persian dominance.
The continuing work of archaeological teams from universities across Iran and the world is constantly revealing new evidence about these early civilizations. The annual reports from these excavations provide the most current evidence for the sophistication and complexity of pre-Persian cultures on the Iranian Plateau.
I offer this knowledge not to diminish the achievements of Persian civilization but to properly contextualize them as the culmination of millennia of cultural development on the Iranian Plateau. The Persian Empire was not a beginning but a magnificent synthesis—the final chapter in a long story of human achievement that deserves to be known in its entirety. The true grandeur of Iranian civilization lies not in any single culture but in the remarkable continuity and adaptation that has characterized this region for thousands of years.
Love Your Silvia ❤️