In the ancient city of Susa, excavators have discovered a cache of lapis-inlaid bronze sistrums dating back to the Elamite period. These percussion instruments, used primarily in temple settings, are inscribed with astronomical symbols that correlate to a lunar calendar, specifically pointing to the "Festival of the Seven Moons".
This festival was a multi-day event that celebrated the completion of seven lunar cycles, marking a critical period for agricultural planning and royal investiture. The presence of high-quality lapis lazuli, imported from the Hindu Kush, indicates that these ceremonial objects were used by high-ranking priestesses during processions that unified the city's spiritual and political life.