July 2, 2025 • 12 mins
In this episode of Global Treasures, we cover Tchogha Zanbil, located in Iran. Founded in 1250 BC, this archaeological world heritage site was established in 1979. Join us as we discuss the history, travel tips and more.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Abigail (00:00):
Imagine a place that tells a story spanning centuries where
culture and nature intertwine tocreate something truly extraordinary.
That's the beauty of UNESCOWorld Heritage Sites.
I'm Abigail, and this is GlobalTreasures, the podcast that covers
(00:20):
the history, travel, tips, andlegends surrounding one of the 1,223
World Heritage sites each episode.
These places have been identifiedas having universal, cultural or
natural significance that is soexceptional that it transcends national
(00:40):
boundaries and is of importanceto present and future generations.
Welcome to season two, wherewe'll explore the 45 sites that
UNESCO added in 1979 together.
Thank you for listening tothe Global Treasures Podcast.
We appreciate all of your support andyou continue to support us by subscribing
(01:05):
at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean.
You can also follow uson TikTok and Facebook.
Please tell your friends about us as well.
In the ancient heart of Iran'sKhuzestan Province lies Tchoga
Zanbil, an Elamite Complex, andone of the world's few surviving
(01:26):
ziggurats outside of Mesopotamia.
A ziggurat is a tiered temple towerthat has several terraced levels.
One may picture a classic Egyptiantemple, and while the two may be
somewhat similar, they differ in thatpyramids have flat walls and primarily
served as tombs, while ziggurats wereprimarily used for religious purposes.
(01:52):
Built around 1250 BC by KingUntash-Napirisha, the site was originally
known as Dur Untash or town of Untash.
Built to honor the God Inshushinak,it was likely never home to a large
population, but instead served asaccommodations for priests and servants.
(02:17):
Roughly translating to basket mound,this site was considered to be a
highly sacred spiritual center.
Protected by three walls, Tchoga Zanbilwas designed with a specific purpose.
Between the outer and middlewalls, stood temples dedicated
to Napirisha and Inshushinak.
(02:39):
At the center of the complex stood thegrand ziggurat, one of the best preserved
examples of its kind, which is oneof the main reasons UNESCO inscribed
it as a World Heritage site in 1979.
The tiered temple tower once reacheda height of over 174 feet high in its
(03:01):
glory days, but currently it standsat around 81 and a half feet high.
Originally, it was covered inglazed baked bricks, many of
them engraved with inscriptions.
At its pinnacle stood a temple positionedto align with the stars in the holy
(03:21):
directions of the cardinal points.
It appears that the outer wallshad seven gates at some point,
but only two have been found.
Brick inscriptions also refer to22 temples, but only half of them
have been discovered at the site.
The middle area contained 11 othertemples devoted to numerous gods such
(03:45):
as Nabu, the God of literacy and wisdom,Shala the goddess of weather and grain
and Manzat, the goddess of the rainbow.
Shrines and sanctuaries extended acrossthe complex and a funerary space in the
recesses of the outer area housed fiveroyal tombs of the elamite Kingdom.
(04:08):
In one archeologists discovered theremains of a woman aged between 40 and 60
years buried with treasured grave goods.
This was notable because it'sbelieved that cremation burials may
have been a practice of the time.
The site was built in phases andconstruction carried on, even
(04:30):
after Untash-Napirisha's death.
Some scholars believe thatUntash-Napirisha's long-term plan
for the city was to replace Susaas a spiritual center that would
merge highland and lowland Elam.
Tchoga Zanbil was eventually ravaged bythe Assyrian King Ashurbanipal around 645
(04:55):
BC. There's evidence of a rapid evacuationalong with purposeful demolition
of the site, such as vandalizing ofstatues and the brick inscriptions.
This ancient site was forgotten forcenturies until a geologist who came
in search of oil discovered a brickinscribed with it's history that read
(05:18):
like the script of a Hollywood movie.
That discovery ushered in a periodof major excavations led by French
archeologist Roman Hirschman.
Between the years of 1951 and 1962,almost two miles of debris were
carried away, and the design of thesacred metropolis began to resurface.
(05:42):
Glazed terracotta statues, glasstiles, and over 5,000 inscribed bricks
were some of the valuable items thatwere uncovered, giving a glimpse into
the splendor of this Elamite refuge.
Since then, UNESCO and otherentities have worked tirelessly
(06:03):
to protect Tchoga Zanbil.
Petroleum digging has posed a threatfor the base of the site as it requires
seismic testing, which is essentiallymimicking the conditions of an
earthquake to see how structure holds.
This, of course could be problematicif there are structural issues.
(06:25):
Digging has been conducted arounda thousand feet from the ziggurat,
so this needs to be monitoredbecause that's quite close.
Though ironically, some historicaldiscoveries of artifacts
have been due to this work.
There is a holistic and extensivemanagement plan in place that's
being carried out on a daily basis toensure that visitors will be able to
(06:50):
enjoy Tchoga Zanbil into the future.
Now, let me cover some logistics andtravel tips for those who plan on
traveling to this incredible place.
If you're flying in from anothercountry, check your country's government
website for entry requirements suchas vaccines and travel advisories.
(07:11):
For example, the United States doesnot have an embassy within the country.
I would suggest enrolling inprograms such as STEP, which provides
travelers with free safety alerts.
In case you're trying to figureout the best time of year to visit.
The weather may be a goodguide if you're heat sensitive.
(07:32):
The summers are hot and can get up to ahundred degrees Fahrenheit with winters
getting as low as 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you're wondering whatclothing you should pack,
breathable layers are important.
But make sure that you dress modestlyno matter when you go and bring a scarf
to cover your head if you're a woman.
(07:54):
The closest airport isAhwaz International Airport.
From there, you can take ataxi or rideshare to shush.
There's no publictransportation available.
In order to visit the country,you need to book a tour with an
authorized Iranian travel agency foran escorted tour if you're from certain
(08:15):
parts of North America and the UK.
Be sure to book your flight andtour a minimum of three to six
months in advance whenever possible.
The benefit, as always, is that atour will be conducted in your native
language, along with the fact thatthey book the bus tickets or private
(08:35):
vehicle, hotel stay, often your meals,can help arrange for Visa service, plus
arrival and departure from your airport.
Homestay sites are not an option forthose within the US and UK, so you'll
want to check for your specific country.
If you're from a country where you don'tneed government approved guides, you can
(08:57):
go independently or with private guides.
You also should be able to buya ticket for entrance online.
Just know that while the signage seemsto be in English and other languages,
this site is giant and remote, so atour might still be your best bet.
In terms of payment methods,typical credit cards many
(09:20):
use do not function in Iran.
You may want to bring cash insteadand exchange it for Rials, which is
their currency, upon your arrival.
Wifi may also not readily beavailable in public spaces
like in some other countries.
So you may want to look into a SIM card.
(09:40):
There is a high level of securityat this site, so you may want to
leave your bag on the tour bus orkeep what you bring to a minimum.
They've had attemptedrobberies in the past.
Also, know that you're notallowed to physically climb on the
ruins for preservation purposes.
If you go during a hotter timeof the year, going in the morning
(10:03):
when it's light but not scorchingtemperature wise is ideal.
You'll also likely get better photos.
In terms of food, know that you'llnot be able to imbibe while in
Iran, as alcohol is prohibited.
Also, tea is the customary drinkserved, so you can find coffee,
(10:24):
but it just isn't as common.
So if you're a caffeine addict like me,you may want to bring instant with you.
In terms of the cuisine, staplesinclude rice often paired with
spiced meats and vegetables.
One dish worth trying is Abgoosht, whichis a stew with lamb, beans and potatoes.
(10:49):
In case you're interested in seeingsome other well-known sites while in the
area you may wanna book a tour that alsoincludes a stop at Shushtar Historical
Hydraulic System and Susa, which aretwo other UNESCO World Heritage sites
we haven't yet covered as they wereinducted in 2009 and 2015 respectively.
(11:15):
They are both about anhour away by vehicle.
The Tomb of Daniel, dedicated to theprophet Daniel is also relatively
close, and it is beautiful.
Check out the links in the shownotes for information and tools
to help make your trip planningeasier at no extra cost to you.
(11:36):
Today, Tchoga Zanbil stands as a stunningreminder of ancient religious ambition,
its towering ziggurat defyingtime and marking its importance
in the annals of history.
Tchoga Zanbil helps us betterunderstand the customs, ideas,
(11:57):
rituals, and societal beliefs of oneof the oldest groups of indigenous
peoples in the country's history.
Join us next time as we cover theThracian Tomb of Kazanluk in Bulgaria.
This UNESCO World Heritage siteis a vaulted tomb, which is part
(12:19):
of a larger royal necropolis.
The beautiful murals are widelyconsidered to be the best preserved art
in Bulgaria from the Hellenistic period.
Come learn about the history,legends, and travel tips for
visiting this exceptional site.
Until then, keep exploring, keepwondering, and keep treasuring
(12:46):
the remarkable diversityof our world's heritage.
Imagine a place that tells a story spanning centuries where
culture and nature intertwine tocreate something truly extraordinary.
That's the beauty of UNESCOWorld Heritage Sites.
I'm Abigail, and this is GlobalTreasures, the podcast that covers
(00:20):
the history, travel, tips, andlegends surrounding one of the 1,223
World Heritage sites each episode.
These places have been identifiedas having universal, cultural or
natural significance that is soexceptional that it transcends national
(00:40):
boundaries and is of importanceto present and future generations.
Welcome to season two, wherewe'll explore the 45 sites that
UNESCO added in 1979 together.
Thank you for listening tothe Global Treasures Podcast.
We appreciate all of your support andyou continue to support us by subscribing
(01:05):
at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean.
You can also follow uson TikTok and Facebook.
Please tell your friends about us as well.
In the ancient heart of Iran'sKhuzestan Province lies Tchoga
Zanbil, an Elamite Complex, andone of the world's few surviving
(01:26):
ziggurats outside of Mesopotamia.
A ziggurat is a tiered temple towerthat has several terraced levels.
One may picture a classic Egyptiantemple, and while the two may be
somewhat similar, they differ in thatpyramids have flat walls and primarily
served as tombs, while ziggurats wereprimarily used for religious purposes.
(01:52):
Built around 1250 BC by KingUntash-Napirisha, the site was originally
known as Dur Untash or town of Untash.
Built to honor the God Inshushinak,it was likely never home to a large
population, but instead served asaccommodations for priests and servants.
(02:17):
Roughly translating to basket mound,this site was considered to be a
highly sacred spiritual center.
Protected by three walls, Tchoga Zanbilwas designed with a specific purpose.
Between the outer and middlewalls, stood temples dedicated
to Napirisha and Inshushinak.
(02:39):
At the center of the complex stood thegrand ziggurat, one of the best preserved
examples of its kind, which is oneof the main reasons UNESCO inscribed
it as a World Heritage site in 1979.
The tiered temple tower once reacheda height of over 174 feet high in its
(03:01):
glory days, but currently it standsat around 81 and a half feet high.
Originally, it was covered inglazed baked bricks, many of
them engraved with inscriptions.
At its pinnacle stood a temple positionedto align with the stars in the holy
(03:21):
directions of the cardinal points.
It appears that the outer wallshad seven gates at some point,
but only two have been found.
Brick inscriptions also refer to22 temples, but only half of them
have been discovered at the site.
The middle area contained 11 othertemples devoted to numerous gods such
(03:45):
as Nabu, the God of literacy and wisdom,Shala the goddess of weather and grain
and Manzat, the goddess of the rainbow.
Shrines and sanctuaries extended acrossthe complex and a funerary space in the
recesses of the outer area housed fiveroyal tombs of the elamite Kingdom.
(04:08):
In one archeologists discovered theremains of a woman aged between 40 and 60
years buried with treasured grave goods.
This was notable because it'sbelieved that cremation burials may
have been a practice of the time.
The site was built in phases andconstruction carried on, even
(04:30):
after Untash-Napirisha's death.
Some scholars believe thatUntash-Napirisha's long-term plan
for the city was to replace Susaas a spiritual center that would
merge highland and lowland Elam.
Tchoga Zanbil was eventually ravaged bythe Assyrian King Ashurbanipal around 645
(04:55):
BC. There's evidence of a rapid evacuationalong with purposeful demolition
of the site, such as vandalizing ofstatues and the brick inscriptions.
This ancient site was forgotten forcenturies until a geologist who came
in search of oil discovered a brickinscribed with it's history that read
(05:18):
like the script of a Hollywood movie.
That discovery ushered in a periodof major excavations led by French
archeologist Roman Hirschman.
Between the years of 1951 and 1962,almost two miles of debris were
carried away, and the design of thesacred metropolis began to resurface.
(05:42):
Glazed terracotta statues, glasstiles, and over 5,000 inscribed bricks
were some of the valuable items thatwere uncovered, giving a glimpse into
the splendor of this Elamite refuge.
Since then, UNESCO and otherentities have worked tirelessly
(06:03):
to protect Tchoga Zanbil.
Petroleum digging has posed a threatfor the base of the site as it requires
seismic testing, which is essentiallymimicking the conditions of an
earthquake to see how structure holds.
This, of course could be problematicif there are structural issues.
(06:25):
Digging has been conducted arounda thousand feet from the ziggurat,
so this needs to be monitoredbecause that's quite close.
Though ironically, some historicaldiscoveries of artifacts
have been due to this work.
There is a holistic and extensivemanagement plan in place that's
being carried out on a daily basis toensure that visitors will be able to
(06:50):
enjoy Tchoga Zanbil into the future.
Now, let me cover some logistics andtravel tips for those who plan on
traveling to this incredible place.
If you're flying in from anothercountry, check your country's government
website for entry requirements suchas vaccines and travel advisories.
(07:11):
For example, the United States doesnot have an embassy within the country.
I would suggest enrolling inprograms such as STEP, which provides
travelers with free safety alerts.
In case you're trying to figureout the best time of year to visit.
The weather may be a goodguide if you're heat sensitive.
(07:32):
The summers are hot and can get up to ahundred degrees Fahrenheit with winters
getting as low as 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you're wondering whatclothing you should pack,
breathable layers are important.
But make sure that you dress modestlyno matter when you go and bring a scarf
to cover your head if you're a woman.
(07:54):
The closest airport isAhwaz International Airport.
From there, you can take ataxi or rideshare to shush.
There's no publictransportation available.
In order to visit the country,you need to book a tour with an
authorized Iranian travel agency foran escorted tour if you're from certain
(08:15):
parts of North America and the UK.
Be sure to book your flight andtour a minimum of three to six
months in advance whenever possible.
The benefit, as always, is that atour will be conducted in your native
language, along with the fact thatthey book the bus tickets or private
(08:35):
vehicle, hotel stay, often your meals,can help arrange for Visa service, plus
arrival and departure from your airport.
Homestay sites are not an option forthose within the US and UK, so you'll
want to check for your specific country.
If you're from a country where you don'tneed government approved guides, you can
(08:57):
go independently or with private guides.
You also should be able to buya ticket for entrance online.
Just know that while the signage seemsto be in English and other languages,
this site is giant and remote, so atour might still be your best bet.
In terms of payment methods,typical credit cards many
(09:20):
use do not function in Iran.
You may want to bring cash insteadand exchange it for Rials, which is
their currency, upon your arrival.
Wifi may also not readily beavailable in public spaces
like in some other countries.
So you may want to look into a SIM card.
(09:40):
There is a high level of securityat this site, so you may want to
leave your bag on the tour bus orkeep what you bring to a minimum.
They've had attemptedrobberies in the past.
Also, know that you're notallowed to physically climb on the
ruins for preservation purposes.
If you go during a hotter timeof the year, going in the morning
(10:03):
when it's light but not scorchingtemperature wise is ideal.
You'll also likely get better photos.
In terms of food, know that you'llnot be able to imbibe while in
Iran, as alcohol is prohibited.
Also, tea is the customary drinkserved, so you can find coffee,
(10:24):
but it just isn't as common.
So if you're a caffeine addict like me,you may want to bring instant with you.
In terms of the cuisine, staplesinclude rice often paired with
spiced meats and vegetables.
One dish worth trying is Abgoosht, whichis a stew with lamb, beans and potatoes.
(10:49):
In case you're interested in seeingsome other well-known sites while in the
area you may wanna book a tour that alsoincludes a stop at Shushtar Historical
Hydraulic System and Susa, which aretwo other UNESCO World Heritage sites
we haven't yet covered as they wereinducted in 2009 and 2015 respectively.
(11:15):
They are both about anhour away by vehicle.
The Tomb of Daniel, dedicated to theprophet Daniel is also relatively
close, and it is beautiful.
Check out the links in the shownotes for information and tools
to help make your trip planningeasier at no extra cost to you.
(11:36):
Today, Tchoga Zanbil stands as a stunningreminder of ancient religious ambition,
its towering ziggurat defyingtime and marking its importance
in the annals of history.
Tchoga Zanbil helps us betterunderstand the customs, ideas,
(11:57):
rituals, and societal beliefs of oneof the oldest groups of indigenous
peoples in the country's history.
Join us next time as we cover theThracian Tomb of Kazanluk in Bulgaria.
This UNESCO World Heritage siteis a vaulted tomb, which is part
(12:19):
of a larger royal necropolis.
The beautiful murals are widelyconsidered to be the best preserved art
in Bulgaria from the Hellenistic period.
Come learn about the history,legends, and travel tips for
visiting this exceptional site.
Until then, keep exploring, keepwondering, and keep treasuring
(12:46):
the remarkable diversityof our world's heritage.
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