Bampur is an important site in relation to the ancient
Helmand culture of western Afghanistan, and to the closely related
Jiroft culture of eastern Iran. The position of Bampur is near a river and major routes. Thus, prehistoric and later settlements were founded in the area. Sir
Aurel Stein carried out reconnaissance here in 1932. In 1966,
Beatrice de Cardi excavated next, and she established that there were six successive occupational phases (Periods I-VI) at the site. There were links with major sites such as
Shahr-i Sokhta in Iran, and
Mundigak. During the Period I of Shahr-e Sukhteh (3200–2800 BCE), there were already close connections between that city and the Bampur valley. These contacts also continued in the Period II of Shahr-e Sukhteh. New ceramics appeared at the end of Period IV, suggesting contact with Iran,
Makran, and
Oman. Ceramics similar to Shahr-i Sokhta IV (ca. 2200-1800 b.c.) style were introduced in Periods V-VI. There are also links with
Umm an-Nar culture of Oman, dating possibly to the last quarter of the 3rd millennium.
Tepe Yahya in
Kerman province, Iran, is another important site that may be related. ==See also==