We know very little about the Elamite history. We only have some fragmentary information about Elam from Sumerian and other, later sources. The Elamite language is known, thanks to the fact that Elamites used cuneiform script from 2500 BC onwards.
The writings on clay tablets found in this area and from this period are called Proto-Elamite. Although a relatively large number of texts (more than 1600) has been found and published, no one has so far been able to read it. In fact it is not even certain that the writing represents the Elamite language. It could also contain some other messages or information.
Proto-Elamite script was used only during a brief period, from 3100 to 2900 BC. So far some 1000 symbols have been catalogued. The writing system seems to be partly logographic (i.e. with each symbol representing a word or part of word). Numerical signs and systems have been recognized as similar to proto-cuneiform script used by the Sumerians. But this has not helped to decipher the script so far.
It seems strange that no key to the Proto-Elamite script can be found. Maybe researchers are approaching it only from the knowledge of the region that we have so far, while it represents something completely different. Many ancient peoples have legends about secret knowledge hidden in a secret script, protected by high priests from the common people. Could Proto-Elamite be a candidate to make such legends come true? What secret knowledge could be hidden in it?