The Expedition operates within the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding between Italian and Iranian Institutions. Research focuses on archaeological evidence of ancient Elymais. The expedition is held by the Centro Ricerche Archeologiche e Scavi di Torino per il Medio Oriente e l'Asia (CRAST), the University of Torino (UniTo) and the Iranian Center for Archaeological Research (ICAR). Other institutions involved are the Department of Architecture and Design of the Polytechnic of Torino (DAD). Fieldwork is financed in part by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic (MAECI). 

Surveys and excavations are conducted at Kal-e Chendar (in the Shami valley). The site was investigated in 1936 by the famous explorer Aurel Stein. During our excavations monumental structures were brought to light that are what remains of the most important sanctuary of Iran in the Hellenistic and Parthian periods.