TCHOGHA ZANBIL PALACE
AND TEMPLE, IRAN
G'day folks,
Tchogha Zanbil or Choga Zambil is a ruined
palace and temple complex of the ancient Elamite city of Dur Untashi in
Iran.
Built in 1250 BC, the temple was founded by the Elamite king
Untash-Napirisha (1275-1240 BC). The primary feature of the complex is a
gigantic ziggurat (a rectangular stepped tower built to honor the main
god of the city) dedicated to the Elamite divinities Inshushinak and
Napirisha.
Outside of Mesopotamia, the ziggurat at Tchogha Zanbil
remains the best-preserved monument of this type.
Incidentally, the city was never completed and was attacked and damaged
by the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal around 640 BC.
The temple complex was
excavated between 1946 to 1962 by archaeologist Roman Ghirshman after
prospectors for an oil company discovered it in 1935.
Clancy's comment: I find the dates gob smacking. Built in 1250 BC!
I'm ...
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