What is left in “Eshkaft-e Salman” in the south of Izeh is a petroglyph that, from one point of view, has no older example anywhere else. Its uniqueness comes from the carving of a woman and a child in rock and shows a spectacular image of them in the days of the ancient Elamites.
Eshkaft means cave. In ancient times, Eshkaft-e Salman in the city of Izeh, in the province of Khuzestan, was connected with the habitat of the Elamite people and their brilliant civilization. In this cave there was a shrine for Tarisha, one of the Elamite gods. This shrine has four embossed figures, two of which are carved inside and two outside of the cave. their script is elamite cuneiform, created by the order of an Elamite king named Hani. This beautiful carving shows a woman next to a man. As we have mentioned, this is the oldest image of a woman in the ancient petroglyphs of Iran. That woman’s name is known to be Hohin, and the two characters are performing a religious ritual next to the high priest of the Tarisha shrine.
We mentioned that Eshkaft-e Salman (Tarisha’s shrine) has four carvings; the first one is a worshiping ceremony of King Ayapir. Beside him, his wife and child are seen, as well as someone called Shotroro, who is said to have been the minister of the Elamite king. An inscription in Elamite cuneiform is also visible next to the carvings. The figures’ clothes are short-sleeved and barefoot in the shrine. The king’s wife can be seen behind the minister, and there is also a tiny picture of his son. a censer can also be seen in this beautiful carving. The second carving shows a religious performance, with one difference: the minister is not seen in this carving. The king’s wife is depicted in such a way that it clearly shows her glory and high position in this carving, proving that women had a high and honorable place in Elamite society and civilization. Other surviving documents from the Elam civilization tell the same thing about women’s high standing in the Elamite society.
The third image is the only image of the Elamite king (Hani). There is also a twenty-six-line writing behind his head, written in cuneiform. In this script, the works of the king of Elam are mentioned. The third image is inside the cave. Unfortunately, miscellaneous scribbles in the past years have seriously damaged this ancient carving. The script of the fourth carving has yet not been read, so it is unknown who is the man carved on the rock. The image itself is unclear and is assumed to be the image of one of the Elamite gods.
The current state of Eshkaft-e Salman petroglyphs
Unfortunately, the dampness of the rock and the growth of shrubs and algae have damaged the Elamite paintings of Eshkaft so much that it is feared to be destroyed. Why is there no solution to prevent the growth of shrubs that split and eliminate the stone? It is a question that cultural heritage officials should answer. The stream of water that pours from above on the petroglyph has made the situation worse. It is quite possible that the carvings will be disintegrated soon. But on the other hand, by using simple solutions, like changing the coarse of the water, this thousands years old relic, which is part of Iran’s history can be saved. Part of it is due to the irresponsibility of some visitors who, with their senseless and ugly memorabilia, destroy a historical monument and create a bad image of our culture.
It is also worth mentioning that in the previous years (1381 AD), archaeologists unearthed a structure left from the 9th century (the end of the Ilkhanate period and the beginning of the Timurid period) near the Elamite carvings.
