Haft Tepe
Encyclopedia
Haft Tepe is an archaeological site situated in the Khuzestan Province
in southwestern Iran
. At this site the remains of the Elamite
city of Kabnak were discovered in 1908, and excavations are still carried out.
, although there is no clear evidence that Kabnak ever held real power at all. Due to the turmoil of this era it is possible the construction of Kabnak was necessary after Tepti-Ahar lost control over Susa, however this theory has not been completely confirmed by solid proof. Some centuries later another city was built at the nearby site of Choqa Zanbil
.
Excavations at Haft Tepe revealed a large temple founded by Tepti-Ahar where the god Kirwashir was worshiped. Beneath the temple lay a subterranean funerary complex intended for the king and his family. Skeletal remains were found in the tomb, though it is not certain they belong to royalty. Another large structure found at the site was perhaps the foundations of a ziggurat
, along with courtyards and suites of rooms. The temple complex was decorated with bronze plates and wall paintings. Administrative texts belonging to the reigns of Tepti-Ahar and Inshushinak-zunkir-nappipir were also found at the site. Recently some clay statuettes of fertility goddesses have been unearthed at the site.
Haft Tepe was first surveyed by the French archaeologist Jacques de Morgan
in 1908. The site was excavated in the period from 1965 to 1979 by a team from the University of Tehran
, led by the Iranian archaeologist Ezat Negahban. Since 2003 excavations have been carried out by a team of German-Iranian archaeologists, including the
University of Mainz, University of Kiel
and the
Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization, headed by Behzad Mofidi in four seasons through 2008.
In the 2006 season a number of cuneiform administrative tablets
were recovered and are now being translated. Funding has now been made avail to continue the work there.
Khuzestan Province
Khuzestan Province is one of the 31 provinces of Iran. It is in the southwest of the country, bordering Iraq's Basra Province and the Persian Gulf. Its capital is Ahwaz and covers an area of 63,238 km²...
in southwestern Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
. At this site the remains of the Elamite
Elam
Elam was an ancient civilization located in what is now southwest Iran. Elam was centered in the far west and the southwest of modern-day Iran, stretching from the lowlands of Khuzestan and Ilam Province, as well as a small part of southern Iraq...
city of Kabnak were discovered in 1908, and excavations are still carried out.
History
The city of Kabnak is mentioned as an important political centre during the reign of the Elamite king Tepti-Ahar, the last king of the Kidinuid dynasty ruling in the 15th century BC. He may also have been buried in the city. After his death the centre of power returned to the old capital SusaSusa
Susa was an ancient city of the Elamite, Persian and Parthian empires of Iran. It is located in the lower Zagros Mountains about east of the Tigris River, between the Karkheh and Dez Rivers....
, although there is no clear evidence that Kabnak ever held real power at all. Due to the turmoil of this era it is possible the construction of Kabnak was necessary after Tepti-Ahar lost control over Susa, however this theory has not been completely confirmed by solid proof. Some centuries later another city was built at the nearby site of Choqa Zanbil
Choqa Zanbil
Chogha Zanbil ; Elamite: Dur Untash) is an ancient Elamite complex in the Khuzestan province of Iran.It is one of the few existent ziggurats outside of Mesopotamia...
.
Excavations at Haft Tepe revealed a large temple founded by Tepti-Ahar where the god Kirwashir was worshiped. Beneath the temple lay a subterranean funerary complex intended for the king and his family. Skeletal remains were found in the tomb, though it is not certain they belong to royalty. Another large structure found at the site was perhaps the foundations of a ziggurat
Ziggurat
Ziggurats were massive structures built in the ancient Mesopotamian valley and western Iranian plateau, having the form of a terraced step pyramid of successively receding stories or levels.Notable ziggurats include the Great Ziggurat of Ur near Nasiriyah, Iraq; the Ziggurat of Aqar Quf near...
, along with courtyards and suites of rooms. The temple complex was decorated with bronze plates and wall paintings. Administrative texts belonging to the reigns of Tepti-Ahar and Inshushinak-zunkir-nappipir were also found at the site. Recently some clay statuettes of fertility goddesses have been unearthed at the site.
Archaeology
The site is around 1.5 km by 800 meters made up of 14 mounds with the highest being 17 meters high.Haft Tepe was first surveyed by the French archaeologist Jacques de Morgan
Jacques de Morgan
Jean-Jacques de Morgan was a French mining engineer , geologist, and archaeologist. He was the director of Antiquities in Egypt during the 19th century , and excavated in Memphis and Dashur, providing many drawings of many Egyptian pyramids...
in 1908. The site was excavated in the period from 1965 to 1979 by a team from the University of Tehran
University of Tehran
The University of Tehran , also known as Tehran University and UT, is Iran's oldest university. Located in Tehran, the university is among the most prestigious in the country, and is consistently selected as the first choice of many applicants in the annual nationwide entrance exam for top Iranian...
, led by the Iranian archaeologist Ezat Negahban. Since 2003 excavations have been carried out by a team of German-Iranian archaeologists, including the
University of Mainz, University of Kiel
University of Kiel
The University of Kiel is a university in the city of Kiel, Germany. It was founded in 1665 as the Academia Holsatorum Chiloniensis by Christian Albert, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp and has approximately 23,000 students today...
and the
Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization, headed by Behzad Mofidi in four seasons through 2008.
In the 2006 season a number of cuneiform administrative tablets
were recovered and are now being translated. Funding has now been made avail to continue the work there.
External links
- Cultural Heritage News Agency: Fertile Goddesses Unveiled in Haft Tepe (16 Oct 2005).
- Livius.org: Photos of Haft Tepe
- Inscriptions Found in Haft Tepe Ready to be Decoded - 2006
- Fertile Goddesses Unveiled in Haft Tepe - 2005
- Iranian, German archaeologists return to Haft-Tappeh - 2008
- Archaeological Research at Haft Tappeh - University of Mainz