Hussein Feyzi, a university instructor in the field of archaeology, and Ayoub Soltani, the manager of the Masjed Soleiman site, discovered the smallest bas-relief in the Ayapir region of Izeh. This unique relic, dating back 4,000 years, depicts an Elamite king worshipping the god of the sun and justice, known as “Nahunteh.”
According to the website of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Ministry, this is the 13th Elamite bas-relief found in Izeh and may open new horizons in understanding worship traditions and bas-relief art.
Hussein Feyzi, archaeologist and university instructor at the Faculty of Shush, said: “A small but giant relic; the smallest bas-relief found in Elam so far.” He added that the bas-relief is the size of a human palm and shows an Elamite king sitting on a simple chair, worshipping the symbol of the sun with his right hand raised. Above his head, a full circle symbolizing the sun/Nahunteh has been carved. Next to him is a stepped platform that seems to have been a place for putting ritual gifts.
The relic was found during a field excavation by a team consisting of Hussein Feyzi, a university instructor at the Faculty of Shush; Ayoub Soltani, the manager of the Masjed Soleiman Site; Farzad Najafi, M.A. in archaeology; and Mehdi Faraji, manager of the Ayapir of Izeh Site.
The historical object was discovered in the vicinity of Elahak near Soleiman Palace.
Feyzi explained: “Elahak, also known as ancient Ayapir, was an important political center during the Middle Elamite Era (between 1500–1000 B.C.) because of its strategic location, water resources, and the high number of historical sites.”
According to written documents from Shush, the region was a semi-independent city-state under the rule of Elamite kings.
Feyzi said that the bas-relief is about 26 centimeters in size and is carved on a conglomerate rock, unlike most Elamite bas-reliefs, which were usually carved on rocks with flat surfaces.
Feyzi noted that this bas-relief is not only a manifestation of Elamite rock art and worship rituals but also contributes to reviewing the history of Ilamite art and the cultural relations of Mesopotamia.