Abstract :
To recognize the dynamic of vegetation in eastern Iran as well as to ascertain interactions of human societies with their
environment, the present study is carried out on charcoal samples collected from Shahr-i Sokhta dated back to the Bronze
Age. This research will present two different vegetal formations used by the inhabitants of Shahr-i Sokhta: riparian
formation with species such as tamarisk (Tamarix) and willow (Salix) and steppe taxa like Chenopodiaceae and saltwort
(Salsola). By comparing charcoal data with those of present flora, certain changes concerning the vegetation structure
in this part of Iran have been identified. These changes are best explained in terms of anthropogenic or environmental
factors. The major presence of riparian taxa in the studied samples indicates that Sistan had favorable environmental
conditions in the third millennium B. C. The study also concludes that the ancient vegetation of southern delta of Sistan
have been relatively richer than the existing situation.
