"تقرير عسكري حول عربستان (المنطقة رقم ١٣)." [ظ‎‎٦] (٣٦٦/١٧)

2
2. That this point was 600 stadia or 68 miles from Susa,
which is the exact distance from Susa to the modern
Ahwaz.
The bridge of boats can therefore be placed at Ahwaz, where
the famous natural barraga-facilitates a crossing and which lies
on the direct Susa-Behbehan-Persepolis route, while 17 miles
downstream of Ahwaz lies Kut-al ’Umairah, wdiich in the 4th
century B.C. was situated at the mouth of the Karun river.
During the course of history ’Arabistan has been known by
different names. In its earliest days when the eyes of the whole
world were turned towards its capital Susa the province was
called Susiana then distinguishing it from the hill country of
Elam. Under the Persians the province was known as Puvaja
and finally in mediaeval days the name Khuzistan was given
to it, or possibly at first Huzistan from the word Huz, common
in Southern 'Arabistan in the sense of a cultivated area or estate.
It is also believed that Ahwaz, the singular of Huz, was so
named for the same reason. The name, ’Arabistan, by which it
is now known, explains itself. It must not, however, be forgotten
that before Susa came into prominence the province was not
known by any distinct name of its own, but merely formed part
of the Elamite empire.
Of its people of ancient times Dieulafoy and de Morgan both
agree that that the Susian plain was once occupied b}^ Negritis,
who, so far as is known, were the original inhabitants. These
people never occupied the hill districts of Elam.
Amongst its most important districts was Anzan or Anshan
which probably in course of time included Susa and the neigh
bouring hills. ’Anshan is especially celebrated as being the princi
pality of Cyrus the Great. The earliest known language in Elam
is Anzanite, sometimes described as Turanian, the Turanians,
who were descendants of Shem, being recorded as some of its
earliest inhabitants.
Of the Elamite religion very little is known, though the chief
deity, whose name was secret and sacred and who was referred
to as ‘ Shushinak ’ or the c Susian ’, dwelt in a forest sanctuary,
to which only the priests and King were admitted. It is how
ever related that, as in Babylonia, the priesthood was both
powerful and wealthy, but little is known of the religion and