Susa Acropolis
Susa · Shush Acropolis
Ubaid to Islamic (c.4200 BCE–1300 CE; peak Elamite–Achaemenid)·Susa I–II → Elamite → Achaemenid → Parthian–Sasanian → Islamic·🇮🇷 Khuzestan Province, Southwestern Iran, Iran
About
About Susa Acropolis
Elamite and Achaemenid acropolis (14 ha, 25 m high) at Susa, capital of Elam and Darius I winter capital. French excavations by de Morgan and later Miroschedji revealed Elamite ziggurat foundations, Darius I apadana with glazed-brick archers, and the Code of Hammurabi stele findspot. Sequence from Ubaid–Susa I painted ware to Islamic.
Why it mattersKey Khuzestan Province, Southwestern Iran sequence for Ubaid to Islamic (c.4200 BCE–1300 CE; peak Elamite–Achaemenid); elamite capital acropolis and achaemenid administrative centre controlling khuzestan plain.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology of Susa Acropolis relative to neighbouring centres?
Theories
- 01Regional centre hypothesis for Khuzestan Province
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Susa I c.4200 BCE; acropolis fortified c.2700 BCE Elamite
- Period
- Ubaid to Islamic (c.4200 BCE–1300 CE; peak Elamite–Achaemenid)
- Culture
- Susa I–II → Elamite → Achaemenid → Parthian–Sasanian → Islamic
- Builders
- Susa I–II communities
- Purpose
- Elamite capital acropolis and Achaemenid administrative centre controlling Khuzestan plain
- Rediscovered
- 20th century survey
- Excavation
- Excavated
1960
Foundation/earliest horizon
1980
Major excavations
2020
Conservation/monitoring
On the ground
Structures & features
32.1900° N · 48.2500° E · 95 m · 2 mapped features
Darius I apadana
palaceAchaemenid columned hall on Elamite terrace with glazed bricks
32.1902° N · 48.2503° EElamite ziggurat terrace
templeElamite high terrace precursor to ziggurat
32.1898° N · 48.2497° E