Researchers have unearthed the smallest known Elamite relief in Izeh (Khuzestan), illustrating a royal prayer to the sun god and the deity of justice dating back four thousand years. This remarkable discovery sheds new light on the religious traditions of Elam and its cultural connections with Mesopotamia.
According to Miras Aria, Hossein Feyzi, a lecturer at the Shush Faculty of Archaeology, and Ayoub Soltani, director of the Masjed Soleyman site, located the relief in the Ayapir area of Izeh. The artifact, unique in its scale and antiquity, depicts an Elamite king worshiping the sun god and justice deity, Nahunte.
As reported by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, this find represents the thirteenth Elamite relief discovered in Izeh and offers a fresh perspective on Elamite ritual practices and rock art.
Hossein Feyzi described the find: “Amid the rocks of Ayapir in Izeh, a small yet extraordinary relief has come to light—the smallest Elamite relief ever discovered.”
The hand-sized relief portrays an Elamite king seated on a simple throne, raising his right hand in worship toward the sun symbol. Above him, a full disc representing Nahunte is carved, while a stepped platform stands before the figure, likely used for ritual offerings and ceremonial gifts.
The relief was uncovered during a field survey by a team including Hossein Feyzi, lecturer at the Shush Faculty of Archaeology; Ayoub Soltani, director of the Masjed Soleyman site; Farzad Najafi, senior archaeology expert; and Mehdi Faraji, director of the Ayapir Izeh site. The discovery took place in the Elhak area, near Ashkaft Salman.
Feyzi explained the significance of the site: “Elhak, or ancient Ayapir, was a major political center during the Middle Elamite period (1500–1000 BCE), owing to its strategic location, abundant water resources, and high density of historical sites. Written records from Susa also describe this region as a semi-independent city-state under Elamite authority.”
Regarding the relief itself, he added: “Measuring about 26 centimeters, this is the smallest known Elamite relief. Despite its modest size, its composition and iconography show clear links with other Elamite works, such as the Kul-e Farah, Khong-e Jazdar, and Shahsavar reliefs, as well as with cylinder seals from Ur, the Shimashki, and Kassite periods in Mesopotamia.”
The Shush Faculty of Archaeology lecturer also noted the relief’s structural distinctiveness: “Unlike most Elamite reliefs, which are carved on uniform stone surfaces, this one was created on a heterogeneous conglomerate rock. While this makes it unique, it also leaves it highly vulnerable to erosion. Accurate documentation, laser scanning, and photogrammetry are therefore essential to preserve and sustain the artifact.”
Feyzi added insight into its symbolic significance: “This relief not only offers a glimpse into Elamite rock art and ritual practices, but it also provides an opportunity to reassess the history of Elamite art and its cultural links with Mesopotamia.”
