Susa Buried Apadana North Stair Relief
Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age (4500–2000 BCE)·Chalcolithic–EBA·🇮🇷 Khuzestan, Susa, Iran
About
About Susa Buried Apadana North Stair Relief
Susa Buried Apadana North Stair Relief in Khuzestan, Susa, Iran is a Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age (4500–2000 BCE) tell attributed to Chalcolithic–EBA. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal mound 220 × 180 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 32.1910N 48.2570E controls access to Khuzestan resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey tell for Khuzestan, Susa, illustrating Chalcolithic–EBA construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
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. 3800 BCE initial, major 2600 BCE
- Period
- Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age (4500–2000 BCE)
- Culture
- Chalcolithic–EBA
- Purpose
- Multi-period settlement mound with stratified urban sequence
- Rediscovered
- 1961 survey
- Excavation
- Buried
c. 3800 BCE initial, major 2600 BCE
Initial construction of Susa Buried Apadana North Stair Relief main structure
c. 1941
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
2001–2016
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Susa Buried Apadana North Stair Relief) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
32.1910° N · 48.2570° E · 367 m · 3 mapped features
Susa Buried Apadana North Stair Relief — Main Structure
structurePrincipal tell — Mound 220 × 180 m with diagnostic masonry/panel
32.1918° N · 48.2579° ESusa Buried Apadana North Stair Relief — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
32.1900° N · 48.2563° ESusa Buried Apadana North Stair Relief — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
32.1925° N · 48.2582° E