Today’s Chogha Zanbil, the antique Elamite city of Al-Untaš-Napiriša (or Dur-Untaš) is situated in the vicinity of the river Dez in the region of Khuzestan/Iran at 48°31'16.93" east longitude and 32°00'32.61" north latitude.

Susa, the next bigger city is to be found at a distance of about 40 kilometres. Al-Untaš-Napiriša was not built on the shore of the river but on a plateau of 40 m height above the river level and was separated by a few smaller hills from the river.