The area once home to the ancient city of Kabnak is among the most important Elamite cities and continues to hold many archaeological mysteries. Haft Tepe, a vast site composed of 14 ancient mounds, is located near Susa and is one of Khuzestan’s key historical attractions.
The first discoveries were made during road construction for the Haft Tepe sugarcane factory, when workers uncovered a brick arch and a section of an adobe wall. These findings prompted extensive archaeological excavations beginning in 1965 (1344 SH), led by Iranian experts.
The volume and quality of findings quickly elevated Haft Tepe to one of the country’s most important excavation sites. Due to the richness of artifacts, the Haft Tepe Museum was founded in 1973 (1352 SH), now hosting a valuable collection of ancient Elamite objects.
A major highlight of Haft Tepe is the royal tomb of King Tepti-Ahar and his queen. They were buried in a private temple featuring a hall, porch, and courtyard. This temple was connected via a corridor to a larger, public tomb.
One of its most significant architectural features is the hammered brick arch, considered the earliest of its kind in ancient Iran—a brilliant innovation by Elamite architects.
Near the entrance of the royal tomb lies a mass grave that continues to puzzle archaeologists. Ten human skeletons were found buried in disorder, some overlapping—a discovery that has fueled many theories about ancient rituals, war, or disease.
The site is open to the public daily from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Visitors can tour the excavation site and the nearby museum, which provides valuable insight into Elamite civilization and the discoveries made in this region.
For a detailed academic overview of Haft Tepe and its significance within the Elamite civilization, refer to the article on Haft Tepe in Encyclopaedia Iranica.
