Apadana Staircase leads you to mythical arts of Persia

TEHRAN – Apadana Staircase is one of the most striking sections of the UNESCO-registered Persepolis, southern Iran.

Swiss people know Iran for its ancient civilization: ambassador

TEHRAN - Swiss ambassador to Tehran has said people of his country know Iran for its ancient civilization and the significant role that the country plays in the Middle East.

We revealed how Achaemenids ruled Persia: Oriental Institute expert

TEHRAN – Years of deciphering and studying Achaemenid cuneiform clay tablets, which have been on loan from Iran to the Oriental Institute, has yielded valuable information about the Persian Empire, how it organized and how it ruled, a professor emeritus at the Institute has said.

Recently returned Achaemenid-era clay tablets on display

TEHRAN – Hundreds of Achaemenid-era (550-330 BC) clay tablets took pride of place in an exhibit which opened to the public at the National Museum of Iran on Wednesday.

Achaemenid-era clay tablets returned home after 84 years

TEHRAN – A total of 1,783 Achaemenid-era clay tablets, which were on loan from Iran to the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago since 1935, have been returned home.

Iran’s historical relics return home after major China exhibit

TEHRAN – Historical relics, which were on loan from the National Museum of Iran at a major exhibition in China, have recently been returned home.

A glance at essential elements of traditional architecture in Iran

TEHRAN - Persian architecture has a long and complex history. The Elamite, Achaemenian, Hellenistic, and other pre-Islamic dynasties left striking stone testaments to their greatness, such as Chogha Zanbil and Persepolis—both designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1979. 

By Afshin Majlesi

The ancient art of making ships in southern Iran

TEHRAN – Maritime trade, shipping and shipbuilding have long been practiced in Iran. There have been many small or big shipyards across the northern coasts of the Persian Gulf.

Persepolis Museum to close for two weeks for repair work

TEHRAN - Persepolis Museum, which is located in UNESCO-tagged Persepolis, is to close for two weeks for restoration work.

Rare dovetail-joints found in UNESCO-tagged Pasargadae

TEHRAN – Personnel of Pasargadae have recently found two rare dovetail-joints, which used to attach massive stone slabs, pillars and columns in the UNESCO World Heritage site that was once the capital of the Achaemenid Empire under Cyrus the Great (559–530 BC), who ordered its construction.

Remnants of Egyptian fortress once conquered by Achaemenid Persians discovered

TEHRAN – Archaeologists in Egypt have found vestiges of a prehistorical fortress, which was once conquered by Achaemenid Persians during their expedition to the country, IRNA reported on Tuesday.

Oriental Institute ready for delivery of ancient Persian artifacts

TEHRAN – The University of Chicago’s Oriental Institute has recently signaled its readiness to deliver the first batch of ancient Persian clay tablets to Iran, a senior cultural heritage official has said.

Recovered Achaemenid guard on tour to southern Iran

TEHRAN - A previously recovered limestone relief, depicting an Achaemenid Persian guard, is to be delivered to the Persian Gulf Anthropological Museum for a loan exhibit in Bandar Abbas, southern Hormozgan province.

Achaemenid-era objects discovered in southern Iran 

TEHRAN – Iranian authorities have confiscated seven prehistoric objects, which are estimated to date back to Achaemenid times, from smugglers in Rudan county, Hormozgan province, southern Iran. 

Iran says it has traced two Achaemenid reliefs stolen decades ago

TEHRAN – Iran tourism chief has said that the country has traced two more Achaemenid-era (550-330) bas-relief carvings, which were stolen from Persepolis decades ago.

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.

A peek into Iranian art and architecture under Sassanids

TEHRAN – In many ways, Iran under Sassanian rule witnessed tremendous achievements of Persian civilization. Experts say that during Sassanid era (224-651 CE), the art and architecture of the nation experienced a general renaissance.

Achaemenid relief goes on show in Mashhad

TEHRAN – A piece of Achaemenid-era (550-330 BC) bas-relief has been put on show at Mashhad’s Khorasan Great Museum, northeast Iran.

Thousands of Achaemenid-era clay tablets to be back home

TEHRAN – Over 11,000 flawless [Achaemenid-era] clay tablets and a large number of fragments of their kind will be back home, Iran tourism chief said on Wednesday.

 Iranian-Italian team resume project on Pasargadae

TEHRAN – A team of Iranian and Italian archaeologists and restorers have commenced a new round of conservation project on Pasargadae, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southern Iran.

Recovered Achaemenid relief reaches Mashhad

TEHRAN – A newly recovered Achaemenid-era (550-330 BC) bas-relief, which President Hassan Rouhani brought it back from the U.S. on September 27, has been delivered to Mashhad’s Khorasan Great Museum for a loan exhibit.

Recovered Achaemenid relief to go on tour across Iran

TEHRAN – A newly recovered Achaemenid-era (550-330 BC) bas-relief, which President Hassan Rouhani brought it back from the U.S. on September 27, will be put on show in a select of cities across the country.

U.S. returns exquisite Achaemenid relief to Iran

TEHRAN – On Tuesday, an exquisite Achaemenid-era relief, which is estimated to be worth $1.2-million, was handed back to Iran under a rule laid down by a U.S. court back in June.

 Excavation starts at Pasargadae

TEHRAN – A new round of archaeological excavation has recently commenced at the UNESCO-registered Pasargadae, southern Iran.

Prehistoric “Persian guard” on the way home

U.S. judge rules return of Achaemenid-era relief to Iran

TEHRAN – A U.S. judge said on Monday an Achaemenid-era (550-330 BC) bas-relief should be returned to Iran, where the object was originally stolen from some 80 years ago.

Dutch museum to host “Iran – Cradle of Civilization”

TEHRAN – “Iran – Cradle of Civilization”, an enormous loan exhibit dedicated to the history of Iran, will open its doors to the public on June 17 at the Drents Museum in Assen, the Netherlands.

Achaemenid-era vessels seized in Fars

TEHRAN – Iranian authorities have recently confiscated five Achaemenid-era vessels from a rural house in Marvdasht, southern Fars province.

Achaemenid-era objects seized in Fars

TEHRAN – Two relics dating from Achaemenid-era (c. 550–330 BC) have recently been confiscated in Marvdasht, southern Fars province.

Ganjnameh: A can’t-miss in Hamedan

TEHRAN – Prehistoric rock carvings of Ganjnameh is a can’t-miss destination when you are traveling to Hamedan, an ancient city in west-central Iran.

Disputed Persian artifacts one step closer to home

TEHRAN –Following years of ups and downs, the fate of some ancient Persian artifacts, on loan from Iran to the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago since the 1930s, was left in the hands of an international court, this time in favor of Iran.