During rescue excavations in 2004 and 2005 in the Bolaghi Valley near Pasargadae in Iran, a team from the Eurasia department of the DAI examined the remains of a settlement that appears to be a mostly nomadic society from the fifth millennium BC.
Pottery kilns during the excavation Detail of a pottery kiln (Photo: Barbara Helwing, DAI, Eurasia Department) 
Detail of one of the pottery kilns (Photo: Barbara Helwing, DAI, Eurasia Department) 
Painted ceramics from the Bakun period (fifth millennium BC) (Photo: Barbara Helwing, DAI, Eurasia Department)
This makes the technical specialization in ceramic production all the more surprising. For instance, the team discovered a whole series of pottery kilns from this period as well as elaborately painted ceramic vessels. Two of the kilns were completely excavated and brought to the museum in Pasargadae. The site itself was flooded in 2007 by the Sivand Reservoir.