Iran's Chogha Zanbil

Ziggurats are one of Persia's (now Iran) greatest contribution in the ancient world. This temple-tower facade serves as a place where sacrifice for the gods were being held. It is also believed that this is were the gods dwell to get close with humans. Unfortunately, some of this remarkable pyramids where destroyed by natural calamities and war but few of them still survived until now. In fact, one of which is Chogha Zanbil, the one that you can find in the province of Khuzestan. It is considered the most dramatic representation of the Elamite architecture and built in 1250 BC by the King Untash-gal of Elam.


Chogha Zanbil was built to honor Inshushinak, one of Elam's great gods. It is composed of five towers of different height each constructed one side of the other. The inner area that occupies the main ziggurat is intended for the main god while the middle area which consists of eleven rooms s intended for the lesser gods. In the outside area, you can find royal palaces and funerary place where the five subterranean tombs are placed.



The construction of the great canal to supply water from the river is still in use as water source is inadequate for the people's needs. The unused bricks left at the site only proves that Chogha Zanbil is left undone until the Assyrian invaded the city. Archaeological excavasions took place between 1951 to 1962 just to rediscover the fallen city. All their efforts were paid well as UNESCO declared Chogha Zanbil as a world heritage site in 1970. Visitors of this site try to relive the glory of the ancient kingdom as well as to be amazed by human creativity, that people of that era can think of this exceptional masterpiece.