The first scientific studies in Chogha Zanbil were carried out by R. de Mecquenem and J. Michalon from 1935-1939. A more extensive investigation was carried out by Roman Ghirshman with a French expedition team from 1951-1962. During his vast excavation campaigns several monuments were uncovered among which were the temple and palace complexes. (Ghirshman, R. et al., 1966; 1968; Steve, M.-J., 1967; Porada, E., 1970) From 1997 to 2005 new archaeological studies and excavations were carried out by Behzad Mofidi-Nasrabadi from the University of Mainz (Germany).

The research was funded by the “Iranian Cultural Heritage Organisation”, the UNESCO and the “Japan Trust Fund”. Geophysical prospection was carried out by staff of the University of Kiel and financed both by the “Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization” and the “Forschungsverbund Archäologie” of the University Mainz.