Meluhhas

Meluhha, also known as Meluhha or Meluhha Land, refers to an ancient region mentioned in historical and archaeological records, primarily associated with the early Bronze Age civilizations of the Near East. The term appears in cuneiform inscriptions from the third millennium BCE, particularly in texts from Mesopotamia, including the Sumerian and Akkadian languages. While its exact geographical boundaries remain debated, Meluhha is generally believed to have encompassed parts of modern-day Iran, particularly the region around the Persian Gulf, including the lower reaches of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

The name Meluhha is first attested in the Sumerian king list and later in the Akkadian texts of the Third Dynasty of Ur (c. 2100–2000 BCE). It is often linked to the region known as Elam, an ancient civilization centered in what is now southwestern Iran. Trade relations between Meluhha and Mesopotamia were extensive, with Meluhha supplying resources such as timber, metals, and precious stones in exchange for goods like grain, textiles, and pottery. The region’s strategic location along trade routes facilitated its economic importance.

Archaeological evidence suggests that Meluhha was home to advanced urban centers, including Susa (Shush), which became a major political and cultural hub. The civilization flourished during the Early Dynastic period and continued to play a significant role in the region’s history until its eventual assimilation into the broader Mesopotamian and Iranian cultural spheres. The decline of Meluhha’s prominence coincides with the rise of the Kassite dynasty in Mesopotamia and the shifting political dynamics of the second millennium BCE.

While Meluhha is not as extensively documented as neighboring civilizations like Sumer or Babylon, its influence on trade, culture, and early state formation in the Near East remains notable. The term continues to be studied by historians and archaeologists to better understand the interconnectedness of ancient Mesopotamian and Iranian societies.