Anobanini rock relief

Anobanini rock relief is a carved scene on a cliff surface showing King Anubanini with eight captives and the goddess Ishtar. The carving is located approximately 120 kilometers north of Kermanshah near Sarpol-e Zahab.

This relief was created during the Akkadian Empire around 2300 BC and is among the earliest rock carvings found in Iran. It dates to a period when rulers had their victories and power carved into stone.

The carving shows early Mesopotamian artistic traditions in how the king is dressed and how captives are displayed with bound hands.

This location requires a vehicle or organized transportation and cannot be reached without planning. Visitors should arrange access in advance and use maps or local guides to find the site.

The relief suffered damage during a regional conflict, but researchers use historical photographs taken before the war to continue studying its details. These earlier images help scholars understand what the carving originally looked like.

GPS coordinates: 34.46326,45.86835

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:05