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| Khuzestan, a glittering center of human civilization |
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The province is situated in the southwest of Iran, and covers an area of 63,238 sq. km. The trace of this ancient civilization can presently be detected at various regions of this province, including the ancient city of Shush (Susa), capital of Ilam, winter capital of Achaemenids, and the site of Prophet Daniel's tomb, marks one of the most significant archaeological sites of the world. Ahwaz Ahwaz, the capital of Khuzestan Province, is the home of scientific and cultural centers, such as "Jondi Shapoor University" which gathered distinguished medical scientists from Egypt, Greece, India and Rome, treating the patients and teaching medical students, shows the importance and prosperity of the region during the ancient times. The Jondi Shapor medical school was founded by the order of Shapoor I (241-271 AD), it was repaired and restored by Shapoor II and was completed and expanded during the reign of Anushiravan. Susa "By The grace of Ahura Mazda, I constructed a magnificent palace Susa" Thus spoke Darius the Great in 521 BC following the construction of the Apadana Palace, his administrative capital at Susa. Susa (Soo sah) also called Shoush, was once the capital of the ancient Kingdome of Ilam and the Persian Empire. The partly uncovered ruins of this city lie in the province of Khuzestan, in southeastern Iran. Susa appears several times in the Bible, where it is called "Shushan". The Old Testament story of Esther took place in Susa. The tomb of Daniel is said to be in this ancient town either. Archaeologists unearthed the famous "Code of Hammurabi" which is a group of Babylonian laws, in the ruins of Susa in 1901 and 1902. Susa flourished until about 640 BC., when Assyrians plundered it. Darius I built palaces in the city in the late 500's BC., and made it a capital of the Persian Empire. Susa declined after Alexander the Great conquered it in the late 300 BC. According to archaeologists, Susa is 5000 years old. The authenticity of the age of this ancient city, verified by the ancient hills and excavations there are beyond doubts. These ancient hills covering an area of 400 hectares are divided into four sections: Acropolis, Apadana, Royal town and Business town. Chogha Zanbil Chogha Zanbil is situated in southwest Iran about 40 Kms southeast of ancient city of Susa. It was built on a plateau above the bank of Dez River. Its ancient name is Dur-Untash, which means the castle of the city of Untash. In 13th century BC., King Untash Napirisha founded an entirely new city. The building materials in Chogha Zanbil are mainly mud bricks and occasionally baked bricks. The monuments were well built and beautifully decorated with glazed baked bricks, gypsum, ornaments of faience and glass. Thousands of baked bricks bearing inscriptions with Elamite cuneiform characters were all inscribed by hand, ornamenting the most important buildings. Roman Ghirshman excavated most of Ziggurat and the vast surrounding area from 1951-1962. He excavated the temples, palaces, tombs and three concentric walls of the site and gates. After the excavations most of the monuments were exposed to erosion. Due to rainfalls, water penetrates into the structure of the building, accelerating the deterioration processes. During last few years the monuments have been taken by The Cultural Heritage Organization to protect the Zigurrat from further erosion. Climate In the elevated and mountainous regions of the province, a moderate summer and cold winter are experienced, but in the skirts of the mountains semi-desert like conditions prevail. In plains and inferior regions of south and southeast, a variable climate ranging from semi-desert to coastal desert pre-dominates.   Socialize this Subscribe to our RSS feed to stay in touch and receive all of TT updates right in your feed reader
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