The Middle Elamite archive of Anshan

Authors

1 M.A. alumnus of the university of Tehran

2 faculty member of the department of archaeology of the University of Kashan

10.22084/nb.2024.28093.2627

Abstract

The site of Tal-e Malyan in the Beyza plain of Fars province, also known as ancient Anshan, was a crucial Elamite center in the eastern region of the Susiana plain and a significant cultural center in the Elamite world. William Sumner's excavations between 1971-1978 uncovered an administrative archive written in Middle Elamite script and language. This archive, which dates back to the end of the Middle Elamite period, during the Shutrukid dynasty, sheds light on the activities of the kings of this period in the region and is essential in studying Elamite archives.

The Anshan archive's significance lies in its texts being written in Elamite script and language, unlike previous administrative archives in Elam, which were written in Akkadian/Babylonian script. This archive marks the beginning of a legacy that can be seen in the Achaemenid archives and treasury of Persepolis. The study of this archive can be a breakthrough in understanding the structures of the Elamite bureaucracy. Despite its discovery more than forty years ago, this archive remains largely unstudied.

The archive of Anshan reveals details about the construction of a temple in the city of Anshan by the last Middle Elamite king, Huteludush-Inshushinak. The archive's duty was to manage the resources and forces required for this project. Additionally, the archive controlled the flow of materials entering or exiting the organization, including valuable metals, from the receiving stage to the manufacturing stage and their final destination.

The administrative documents record the names of individuals involved in this process, including officials, clerks, master craftsmen, and workers. In this research, these individuals are grouped according to their activities and goods received.

The upcoming research aims to examine the Anshan archive's texts to present an image of its content and administrative structure. By analyzing this archive, researchers hope to gain insight into the functioning of the Elamite bureaucracy and its organizational structure.

Keywords

Main Subjects

pazhoheshha-ye Bastan shenasi Iran

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 29 January 2024

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics