Elamites

The Elamites were an ancient civilization located in what is now southwestern Iran, existing from around 3200 BCE until roughly 640 BCE. They developed a distinct culture and language, separate from their neighbors, particularly the Mesopotamians. The Elamites are known for their advances in art, architecture, and governance, and they often interacted with dominant powers like Babylon and Assyria. Their civilization contributed significantly to the region's history, and elements of their culture influenced later Persian empires. The Elamites had their own writing system and established cities like Susa, which became an important cultural hub.