By Marjohn Sheikhi

‘Passion, penchant for uncertainty’ are what you need for archaeology, says Prof. Barbara Kaim

TEHRAN - Renowned Polish Professor Barbara Kaim, an archaeologist with a focus on Iran and Central Asia, says you need passion and a penchant for uncertainty to venture into the realm of archaeology.

Ancient Iran: a glimpse of Persian art and architecture under Sassanids

TEHRAN – The Sassanid era (224 CE–651) is of very high importance in the history of Iran. Under Sassanids, Persian art and architecture experienced a general renaissance.

Flood-hit ancient bridge being restored

TEHRAN – A new round of restoration work has been commenced on the historical Kashkan Bridge, which suffered damage from a heavy flooding in March.

Ancient fort in southern Tehran to turn into outdoor museum

TEHRAN – The ruined Gabri fort, which is said to date from Sassanid era, will be turned into an outdoor museum, an official with the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization said on Tuesday, IRNA reported.

Restorers working on flood-hit Sassanid bridge 

TEHRAN – A team of restorers is working on the remains of Kashkan Bridge, a pillar of which has been tilted forward due to a flooding in March.

Tehran Municipality negotiating to restore Taq Kasra in Iraq

TEHRAN – Tehran Municipality is in talks with Baghdad’s urban planners and authorities to restore a number of aging monuments in Iraq including Taq Kasra, which is an architecturally-important Sasanian-era Persian monument.

Sassanid-era tombs discovered in northeast Iran

TEHRAN – Two tomb cambers, which are said to date from early Sassanid era, have recently been discovered in Khorasan Razavi province, northeast Iran. 

Millennia-old relief unveiled in Shiraz

TEHRAN – A millennia-old bas-relief inscription which has been discovered from Naqsh-e Rostam, a royal necropolis in southern Iran, was officially unveiled in Shiraz on Tuesday, Mehr reported.

Restoration work commences on Dezful bridge

TEHRAN – A fresh restoration plan has put into action on the centuries-old Dezful bridge which stands tall in the southwestern Iranian city.

Sassanid-era structure offers clues about Persian Empire in northeast Iran

TEHRAN - Researchers in Iran have discovered vestiges of an ancient structure in northeast Iran, which is attributed to Sassanid era (224 to 651 CE), and news reports suggest it could provide clues to regional architectural heritage of the famed Persian Empire.

Rare earthenware excavated in Alborz province

TEHRAN – A team of Iranian archaeologists has recently unearthed rare earthenware objects during a demarcation project, which was held at the Imamzadeh-Qasem hilltop in Alborz province.

Millennia-old coins excavated in western Iran

TEHRAN – Tens of millennia-old coins and an earthen jar have recently been unearthed in the village of Sarab-e Kalan in Ilam Province, western Iran.

Parthian, Sassanid tombs discovered in northern Iran

TEHRAN – A total of 39 tombs and catacombs dating back to Parthian (247 BC–224 CE) and Sassanid (224 CE-651) eras have recently been discovered in Liar-Sang-Bon, an archaeological site in Amlash, northern Iran.

A general renaissance: Iranian art and architecture under Sassanids

TEHRAN – On Sunday, UNESCO added an ensemble of Sassanian historical cities in southern Iran to its world heritage list.

Ancient gold artifacts seized from smugglers

TEHRAN – Iranian authorities have seized a set of gold necklace and bracelet estimated to date from Sassanid era (224–651), Mehr reported.

Boundary redrawing to safeguard Sassanid ruins

TEHRAN – Iran’s cultural heritage body has launched a demarcation project to define boundaries of Tal-e Sefidak, a Sassanid-era site which is situated amidst pieces of farmland in Hajiabad, Fars province.

Online ad discloses antiquities

TEHRAN – Iranian police have arrested a person and seized several Sassanid-era relics after he attempted to sale the antiquities in an on-line advertisement.

Archaeologists resume work on Great Wall of Gorgan

TEHRAN – The seventh archaeological season on the Great Wall of Gorgan has recently kicked off to shed new light on the gigantic monument stretched in northern Iran.

Urgent restoration lifts threat to Achaemenid tomb

TEHRAN – A potential threat of physical harm to Xerxes the Great tomb has been lifted after an urgent restoration plan assured its safety measures.