SAEDNEWS: A long time ago, when nature and human life were closely connected, one of the oldest civilizations on Earth called Elam was formed.
According to SAEDNEWS, Chogha Zanbil stands as a reminder of this rich past, a time before modern issues began. This impressive building helps us understand the early religions and how they evolved over time.
Chogha Zanbil is known as the first religious building in Iran, according to architect Habib-Ullah Pour Abdollah. About 1250 BC, the king of Susa, Untash-Napirisha, built it to honor the Elamite god Inshushinak. This temple allowed people to show respect to their gods and seek help. After the Elam civilization fell to the Assyrians, Chogha Zanbil was buried for many years until the Pahlavi Dynasty. During oil excavations, Jacques de Morgan, a French mining engineer, discovered it, and then French archaeologist Roman Ghirshman excavated the site.
Roman Ghirshman called Chogha Zanbil the "Ziggurat Dur Untash," which is its Assyrian name. “Ziggurat” means a high place for religious buildings, and “Dur Untash” means the town of King Untash. Today, people call it Chogha Zanbil, which means “basket mound.” It got this name because, before excavation, it looked like an upside-down basket.
Elam was an ancient civilization in Persia, inspired by nature. It practiced polytheism, which involved worshipping many gods. Animals, especially serpents, were considered sacred. Women held a significant and respected position in Elamite society, suggesting it was matriarchal.
Elamite gods and goddesses, like the Greek ones, were protectors.
- Kiririsha was the great goddess and mother figure, linked to the sea and fishing.
- Humban became more important as a supreme god when society shifted to a patriarchy, representing the earth and fighting enemies.
- Narunte was the goddess of Susa, often represented with a palm leaf and a cup.
- Jabru was the god of the underworld, similar to Hades in Greek mythology, and father to all gods.
- Inshushinak was the powerful god of strength and protection, shown with lions which symbolize power.
Chogha Zanbil appears both familiar and unique. It is a square, mud-bricked temple that originally had five floors and was 52 meters high, surrounded by tall walls. Today, only two floors still stand. People believed that its height allowed it to reach the heavens at night.
Even though it's square, its pyramid shape suggests a connection to the gods. The walls have inscriptions that praise Inshushinak and describe the holiness of the site. Because of its historical and architectural importance, UNESCO named it a World Heritage Site in 1979.
Chogha Zanbil is located near Susa in Khuzestan Province, close to the Persian Gulf. It is 40 kilometers east of the city of Susa, and is just 5 kilometers from Shushtar, making it easier to reach from there.
Due to the high temperatures in Khuzestan, the best time to visit Chogha Zanbil is in the fall, especially late February or early March. During this time, the pleasant weather allows visitors to enjoy the wildflowers and green grass around Chogha Zanbil.
Chogha Zanbil shows us the strength and significance of history, helping us explore the mysteries of our existence. Visiting Iran and Chogha Zanbil offers a chance to see an amazing historical site and learn more about Persian culture.
