Ziggurat of Chogha Mish (Proto-Urban High Temple)
Chogha Mish High Mound · Jowi Platform · Susiana High Terrace
Chalcolithic to Late Uruk (Susa A)·Susiana Elamite (Proto-Elamite horizon)·🇮🇷 Khuzestan Province, Chogha Mish, Susiana Plain, Iran
About
About Ziggurat of Chogha Mish (Proto-Urban High Temple)
Massive proto-urban centre at Chogha Mish on Susiana plain — continuous settlement from 6800 BCE with Chalcolithic high temple platform (c. 4000–3100 BCE, Susa A / Protoliterate) prefiguring Elamite ziggurats. Mound 27 m high with mudbrick administrative complex, bevelled-rim bowls and early sealings linking to Ubaid/Uruk. Burned c. 3100 BCE perhaps by Uruk expansion. Excavated by Helene Kantor and Pinhas Delougaz (Oriental Institute Chicago) 1961–78. Shows independent Susiana urbanism parallel to Mesopotamia.
Why it mattersLongest stratigraphy in Susiana; demonstrates independent high-terrace tradition before Susa/Uruk; early sealing system.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Cause of 3100 BCE burning — conquest or accident
- 02Relationship to Susa acropolis
Theories
- 01Susiana independent urbanism vs Uruk colony model
- 02Proto-Elamite script link to Sialk/Susa
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 4000–3100 BCE (Late Chalcolithic Protoliterate)
- Period
- Chalcolithic to Late Uruk (Susa A)
- Culture
- Susiana Elamite (Proto-Elamite horizon)
- Builders
- Susiana chiefs/proto-Elamite
- Purpose
- High temple/administrative platform
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 4000–3100 BCE (Late Chalcolithic Protoliterate)
Initial construction
c. 1254 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
32.1500° N · 48.5500° E · 70 m · 3 mapped features
High mound platform
platformMound summit temple/administrative
32.1501° N · 48.5502° ELow mound settlement
settlementChalcolithic residential spread
32.1498° N · 48.5498° EKantor trench
trench1960s Chicago expedition trench
32.1500° N · 48.5505° E