TEHRAN -- The City Council of Susa has recently called for the establishment of an international college of archaeology in the city, the Persian service of CHN reported on Monday.

Experts believe that the establishment of the college could lead to cultural changes in the region. Susa City Councilor Mansureh Forughi-Rad said on Monday, “Considering the historical and architectural potential of the city, the establishment of such a college is necessary and would be beneficial to the historical monuments of the country.”

Jondishapur University of Ahvaz is currently pursuing the matter and attempting to gain the approval of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, she added. The 3250-year-old Chogha Zanbil Ziggurat near Susa in Khuzestan Province has been registered on the World Heritage List, she noted, adding, “This will help introduce Iran and its history and civilization to the world.”

Susa was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Elam. The city was captured by the Persian king Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BC, and Darius I, who ruled from 522 to 486 BC, made it the administrative capital of Persia and built a great palace there.