Best Stepped Pyramidal Monument

Chogha Zanbil Ziggurat; the ancient Iranian masterpiece, may have been a sacred city of the Elamite kingdom which was founded around 1250 BC by the Elamite King. The city remained unfinished as Ashurbanipal invaded the region; the unused bricks at the site are the pieces of evidence. In 1979 this magnificent complex was considered as the first Iranian site on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Iran (IMNA) - Chogha Zanbil; UNESCO-listed brick Ziggurat is an ancient complex located approximately 30 km south-east of Susa and 80 km North of Ahvaz, in Khuzestan Province, Iran. This historical construction is the world’s best surviving example of Elamite architecture that was dedicated to Inshushinak; the chief god of the Elamite pantheon and patron of Shush from 1150 to 1120 BC.

In ancient time the area was fertile and forested; the Ziggurat was built in a square shaped structure with sides measuring about 105 meters as a safe place against flooding. The original five storeys were constructed vertically as a series of concentric towers. In the past, a tower was accessible only to the elite of Elamite society. Now people are not allowed to climb the remnant stairways.

The structure of Chogha Zanbil is made of mud bricks as the main materials. This monument is decorated with glazed baked bricks, gypsum and ornaments of faience and glass. Also, inscriptions with Elamite cuneiform is astonishing feature of this ancient zone.

The Ziggurat is considered as the best example of the stepped pyramidal monument by UNESCO. In this regard, in 1979, Chogh Zanbil Ziggurat was inscribed as the first Iranian site on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

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