Neolithic

ELAMITE

The Arrival of
the Iranians

In the Bronze Age, while cultural centres certainly existed in various parts of Persia (e.g. Astrabad and Tappeh Hissar near Damghan in the north-east), the kingdom of Elam in the south-west, was the most important.

Metal-work and the art of glazing bricks particularly flourished in Elam, and from inscribed tablets we can deduce that there was a great industry in weaving, tapestry, and embroidery. Elamite metal-work was particularly accomplished.

These include for example, a life size bronze statue of Napirisha, wife of the 13^th century BC ruler Untash-Napirisha, and the silver Paleo-Elamite vase from Marv-Dasht, near Persepolis. This piece is 19cm high and dates from the middle of 3^rd millennium BC. Ornamented with the standing figure of a woman, wearing a long sheepskin robe carrying a pair of instruments resembling castanets, possibly summoning the faithful to her cylindrical goblet. The sheep skin robe of this woman resembles the Mesopotamian style.

Silver Paleo-Elamite vase
from Marv-Dasht, near Persepolis.
19cm high, middle of 3^rd millennium BC.

A pendant of pale blue chalcedony, with an inscription in Elamite.

Other objects, found beneath the Temple of Inshushinak, built by the same ruler, include a pendant with an inscription in Elamite. The text records that the 12^th century BC king Shilhak-Inshushinak had the stone engraved for his daughter Bar-Uli, and the accompanying scene shows him presenting it to her.

Mesopotamia played a major role in Elamite art; however, Elam still maintained its independence especially in the highland areas, where the art can be sharply differentiated from that of Mesopotamia.

Persian Art
Through The Centuries

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Persian History
Iran before the Iranians