Elam was an ancient Pre-Iranian civilization centered in the far West and Southwest of what is now modern-day Iran, stretching from the lowlands of nowadays Khuzestan and Ilam Province as well as extending into a small section of southern Iraq.
Elamite states were among the leading political forces of the ancient Near East.
Its culture played a crucial role during the Persian Achaemenid dynasty that succeeded Elam, when the Elamite language remained among those in official use.