Chogha Zanbil is an ancient Elamite site located in the Khuzestan province of Iran. It is one of the few remaining ziggurats found outside of Mesopotamia. The site is about 30 kilometers (19 miles) southeast of Susa and 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Ahvaz. The exact time the city was built is uncertain because the timeline of the reign of Untash-Napirisha is unclear. However, it is believed to have been constructed during the 14th or 13th century BC. Most scholars estimate the city was built around 1250 BC. The city is thought to have been destroyed by the Neo-Assyrian ruler Assurbanipal in approximately 645 BC, along with the Elamite capital of Susa. Some researchers suggest the city may have been abandoned earlier, in the late 12th century BC. The ziggurat at Chogha Zanbil is recognized by UNESCO as the best-preserved example of a stepped pyramidal monument. In 1979, Chogha Zanbil became the first site in Iran to be added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

History

Chogha Zanbil is usually called "basket mound." It was built around 1250 BC by King Untash-Napirisha to honor the god Inshushinak. Its original name was Dur Untash, meaning "town of Untash," but few people lived there, except for priests and servants. The complex is surrounded by three walls that mark the main areas of the town. Inscriptions show the outer wall had seven gates, but only two have been found. The middle wall had four gates, and between the outer and middle walls was a shared temple for the Elamite god Napirisha and Inshushinak. Most of the innermost 2.5-hectare area is occupied by a large ziggurat dedicated to Inshushinak. This ziggurat was built over an earlier square temple with storage rooms, also made by Untash-Napirisha.

The middle area includes eleven temples for other gods, such as Nabu, Adad, Shala, Inanna, Ninegal, Humban, Shimut, Pinikir, Manzat, and Nuska. There are also sanctuaries northeast of the ziggurat for the Elamite gods Isniqarab (Ishmekarab) and Kiririsha. A brick inscription mentions a golden statue dedicated to the god Nahhunte. Brick inscriptions refer to 22 temples, but only about half have been located. The outer area includes royal palaces and a funerary palace with five underground royal tombs.

Construction at the site, which included commercial and residential areas, continued after Untash-Napirisha's death with many building phases. The site remained occupied until it was destroyed by the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal around 645 BC. Some scholars believe Untash-Napirisha tried to create a new religious center to unite the gods of highland and lowland Elam at one location.

The ziggurat originally measured 105.2 meters (345 feet) on each side and about 53 meters (174 feet) in height, with five levels and a temple on top. Mud bricks were the main material used for the entire site. The ziggurat had a layer of baked bricks, some of which had cuneiform writing in Elamite and Akkadian languages. Though the ziggurat now stands 24.75 meters (81.2 feet) high, less than half its original height, its condition is among the best-preserved ancient structures.

Archaeology

The site covers 96 hectares. It was first discovered by a geologist during oil exploration. He found an inscribed brick and took it to excavators working at Susa. The inscription described the building of a sacred city by someone named "Untash-Gal." The site was surveyed and excavated by Roland de Mecquenem between 1935–39 and 1946.

Chogha Zanbil was excavated over six seasons (21 months total) from 1951 to 1962 by Roman Ghirshman with the French Archaeological Mission. Almost 100,000 cubic yards of debris were removed during the work, using 100 to 125 workers at a time. Excavations revealed a quadrangle with a 1300 square foot wall enclosing a sacred area that included temples and courtyards. A five-level ziggurat stood at the center, with its corners aligned to the four cardinal directions. Every 11th level of bricks in the ziggurat had inscriptions. Large gates were built into the four sides. Three gates had stairs leading to the second level, and one gate, on the southwest side, had stairs to the fifth and highest level. At each gate, half-life-sized statues were placed. One statue, made of blue-glazed terracotta, had an inscription dedicated to the god Inshushinak. Excavations showed the ziggurat was built in two stages: first to the second level with two temples, then later to the fifth level. In one temple, white and black glass tiles were found. Five tombs were discovered under rooms in the courtyard. Tomb 1 was never used. Tomb V was looted long ago. Tomb II contained partially burned remains of five people (burned elsewhere). Tomb IV remained undisturbed and held the remains of an adult female aged 40–60 years, along with grave goods.

A total of 5257 inscribed bricks were found, most in Elamite and 67 in Akkadian. One brick had the following inscription:

Most recently, the site was excavated by Behzad Mofidi Nasrabadi in 1999, 2002, 2004, and 2005. This included a 35-hectare magnetometer survey conducted by the University of Kiel.

Threats

Because more oil is needed worldwide, companies are looking for oil near a ziggurat. They use tests that make loud sounds to find oil supplies. Drilling for oil has been done as close as 300 meters (984 feet) from the ziggurat. This activity could harm the base of the ziggurat.

Gallery

• Ziggurat of Dur Untash
• Side view of the Dur Untash Ziggurat structure
• Similar Ziggurat structures in Iraq: The Ziggurat of Dur-Kurigalzu
• Similar Ziggurat structures in Iraq: Ziggurat of Ur
• The Ziggurat at Chogha Zanbil is one of the most important Ziggurats
• Glazed (once blue) door plaque with boss. The Elamite cuneiform inscription reads "Palace of Untash-Napirisha, King of Elam." Around 1300 BCE. From Chogha Zanbil, Iran. British Museum