Malyan
Anshan (Tal-e Malyan) · Tal-e Malyan · Malyān
Chalcolithic to Iron (c.4000 BCE–600 BCE; peak Proto-Elamite 3200–2800, Middle Elamite 1500–1100)·Proto-Elamite → Old Elamite → Middle Elamite (Anshan) → Persian Anshan·🇮🇷 Fars Province, Kur River Basin, Iran
About
About Malyan
Malyan (Tal-e Malyan) is ancient Anshan — the great Elamite highland capital (130 ha) with Proto-Elamite tablets (3200 BCE, second after Uruk), Banesh phase monumental building ABC, and Kaftari phase city wall (5 km). Sumner excavations revealed Proto-Elamite administrative complex, Middle Elamite palace and Persian occupation (Cyrus's ancestral city). Key to Elamite–Mesopotamian highland–lowland model.
Why it mattersAncient Anshan — highland Elam capital; Proto-Elamite tablets after Uruk; Cyrus ancestry.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Proto-Elamite script decipherment?
Theories
- 01Highland–lowland Elam model (Sumner)
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.4000 BCE
- Period
- Chalcolithic to Iron (c.4000 BCE–600 BCE; peak Proto-Elamite 3200–2800, Middle Elamite 1500–1100)
- Culture
- Proto-Elamite → Old Elamite → Middle Elamite (Anshan) → Persian Anshan
- Builders
- Proto-Elamite scribes → Elamite kings → Teispes (Achaemenid ancestor)
- Purpose
- Settlement and ceremonial centre
- Abandoned
- c.600 BCE (Cyrus)
- Rediscovered
- 1971 (William Sumner)
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.3200 BCE
Proto-Elamite Anshan founded — tablets (Banesh ABC)
c.1500 BCE
Middle Elamite capital of Anshan–Susa
c.600 BCE
Persian Anshan — Teispes, Cyrus ancestor
1971
William Sumner surveys and excavates Malyan
On the ground
Structures & features
30.0100° N · 52.4000° E · 1650 m · 3 mapped features
Proto-Elamite Building ABC Tablet Archive
archiveProto-Elamite monumental platform ABC with 3200 BCE tablet archive — second after Uruk
30.0103° N · 52.4002° EKaftari City Wall Circuit (5 km)
fortificationMiddle Elamite 5-km city wall with glacis and gates enclosing 130 ha
30.0107° N · 52.3995° EMiddle Elamite Palace and Persian Anshan Quarter
palaceMiddle Elamite palace with glazed brick and Achaemenid ancestor (Teispes) houses
30.0096° N · 52.4003° E