The Early Periods at Susa, Mesopotamian Relations

Abstract

A small piedmont country with resources enough to maintain an active population, Susiana is surrounded by less favoured areas. Isolation is thus ensured, but communication remains possible with Iranian highlands and with Mesopotamian lowlands, with coastal plains and with North-Western foothills. Susa stands on a borderline, at a cross-road, influences streaming through, from, and to it: the story is one of fluctuating orientations, which we shall try to trace through correlations between the early local cultures and those of Mesopotamia.