This article 1. Economy 2. Governance 3. Religion and Culture 4. Language 5. History

Ancient kingdom in today's southwestern Iran, east of the Tigris river and north of the Persian Gulf, influential first time ca. 2000-1600 BCE, second time briefly 1160-1120 BCE.
To Elam belonged four prominent cities: Awan, Anshan, Simash and especially, Susa, the capital.

Economy
Elam was largely a society based upon agriculture.

Governance
Elam is known for its matrilinear system of succession. A newly appointed ruler was always referred to as 'son of a sister'.
Through large parts of Elam's history we hear nothing about its situation and status.

Religion and Culture
Culturally, Elam achieved less in several fields than its neighbouring countries, and much was imported from them. Writing came from the Sumerians and large elements of the architecture came from Babylonia. There is relatively little literature from Elam, and of religion almost nothing is known.

History
6th millennium BCE: First traces of civilization the area of Elam is one of the oldest civilized areas in world history.
22nd century: Elam is under the control of Ur.
Around 2000: Elam is a strong power, able to conquer and destroy Ur.
Around 1600: It is believed that the Kassites, who captured Babylonia, also destroyed Elam.
Around 1160: Under King Shutruk-Nahhunte Elam once again rises to power, strong enough to drive the Kassites out of Babylonia. From this came the first (and short-lived) Elamite empire.
Around 1120: Susa and Elam is sacked by the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar 1. This lead to the end of the Elamite empire.
Around 750: A new Elamite kingdom rises, but it is not the great power of former times, and it is often threatened by the Assyrians.
645: Elam is conquered by the Assyrians, and annexed to their kingdom. Elam would never again rise to be a great power. It was later conquered and sacked by Media as well as Persia.