Elamite, also known as Hatamtite and formerly as Susian, is an extinct language that was spoken by the ancient Elamites. It was recorded in what is now southwestern Iran from 2600 BC to 330 BC. Elamite works disappear from the archeological record after Alexander the Great entered Iran, but the spoken language might have survived until the 11th century AD. Elamite is generally thought to have no demonstrable relatives and is usually considered a language isolate. The lack of established relatives makes its interpretation difficult.
Tablet of Elamite script
Inscription of Shutruk-Nahhunte in Elamite cuneiform, circa 1150 BC, on the Victory Stele of Naram-Sin.
Inscription in Elamite, in the Xerxes I inscription at Van, 5th century BCE
Seal of Darius the Great hunting in a chariot, reading "I am Darius, the Great King" in Old Persian (๐ ๐ญ๐ถ๐๐ญ๐ ๐ผ๐น๐บ๐ข๐๐ด ๐, "adam Dฤrayavaสฐuลก xลกฤyaฮธiya"), as well as in Elamite and Babylonian. The word 'great' only appears in Babylonian. British Museum.
Elam (; Linear Elamite: hatamti; Cuneiform Elamite: ๐น๐ฌ๐ท๐ถ๐พ แธซalatamti; Sumerian: ๐๐ elam; Akkadian: ๐๐ ๐ elamtu; Hebrew: ืขึตืืึธื สฟฤlฤm; was an ancient civilization centered in the far west and southwest of modern-day Iran, stretching from the lowlands of what is now Khuzestan and Ilam Province as well as a small part of southern Iraq. The modern name Elam stems from the Sumerian transliteration elam , along with the later Akkadian elamtu, and the Elamite haltamti. Elamite states were among the leading political forces of the Ancient Near East. In classical literature, Elam was also known as Susiana, a name derived from its capital Susa.
Kneeling Bull with Vessel. Kneeling bull holding a spouted vessel, Proto-Elamite period, (3100โ2900 BC)
Proto-Elamite (Susa III) cylinder seal, 3150โ2800 BC. Louvre Museum, reference Sb 6166
Silver cup with linear-Elamite inscription on it. Late 3rd millennium BC. National Museum of Iran.
Orant figure, Susa IV, 2700โ2340 BC.
