Haft Tappeh

Haft Tappeh (ancient name: Kabnak) is situated about 18 km to the southeast of Susa in the province of Khuzestan in Iran at 48°19'47.56" east longitude and 32°04'49.06" north latitude. The site is formed from several small mounds. Therefore it is named in the Persian Language Haft Tappeh, which means “seven mounds”. The city of Kabnak is mentioned as an important political centre during the reign of the Elamite king Tepti-Ahar, the last king of the Kidinuid dynasty ruling in the 15th century BC. He may also have been buried in the city. After his death the centre of power returned to the old capital Susa, although there is no clear evidence that Kabnak ever held real power at all. Some centuries later another city was built at the nearby site of Choga Zanbil. Excavations at Haft Tappeh revealed a large temple founded by Tepti-Ahar where the god Kirwashir was worshiped. Beneath the temple lay a subterranean funerary complex intended for the king and his family. Skeletal remains were found in the tomb, though it is not certain they belong to royalty. Another large structure found at the site was perhaps the foundations of a ziggurat, along with courtyards and suites of rooms. The temple complex was decorated with bronze plates and wall paintings. Administrative texts belonging to the reigns of Tepti-Ahar and Inshushinak-zunkir-nappipir were also found at the site. Recently some clay statuettes of fertility goddesses have been unearthed at the site.

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