Experts Identify Materials Used in Turquoise Glaze on Chogha Zanbil Bricks

Experts of Iran’s geology and atomic energy organizations have finally identified the materials used to make the turquoise glaze covering some bricks of Chogha Zanbil, Reza Vahidzadeh of the Chogha Zanbil Renovation Project announced on Monday.

The only surviving ziggurat in Iran, Chogha Zanbil is a major remnant of the Elamite civilization. It is located near Susa, Khuzestan Province.

“Studies show that the Elamites used to employ copper oxide to make turquoise glaze,” Vahidzadeh said.

This discovery can provide experts valuable information on the art and industry of that era.

There are 47 black-and-white and turquoise glazed bricks that have stood the test of time at the Chogha Zanbil complex.

“The experts are also trying to discover the materials used for the black-and-white glaze on the bricks as well as the temperature at which the bricks were baked,” Vahidzadeh added.

Built about 1250 BC under the direction of the Elamite ruler Untash-Gal during the Middle Elamite period (c. 1500–c. 1000 BC), the complex was dedicated to Inshushinak (Insusinak), the bull-god of Susa, and was registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978.