Drilling wells near Naqsh-e Rostam banned over probable damage

TEHRAN – Drilling deep wells near Naqsh-e Rostam, a royal rock-hewn necropolis in Fars province, southern Iran, has been banned over probable subsidence of land and damage to the ancient site.

Excavations suggest 6000-year-old administrative system in Iran

TEHRAN – Relics including seals, which have newly been unearthed in southeastern Kerman province, suggest that an administrative management system was practiced some 6000 years ago in the country.

Susa, once capital of Elamite, Achaemenid empires

TEHRAN – Now sprawling in the southwest of modern Iran, Susa is one of the oldest yet magnificent cities in the world.

Remnants of prehistorical settlement discovered in Iran’s Jiroft

TEHRAN – A team of Iranian and German archaeologists has recently discovered remnants of a prehistorical settlement during a survey in an ancient hill in Jiroft, southeast Iran.

German museums postpone Iran exhibits due to insurance

TEHRAN – Two German museums have postponed plans to hold separate exhibitions of Iranian cultural heritage relics as insurers have reportedly refused to cover transport of loans.

Iran proposes Croatia to join UN-recognition of Noruz

TEHRAN – Iran has put forward Croatia a proposal to join a multinational dossier for Noruz that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has approved for Iran and several other countries.

Frozen waterfall attracts ice climbers

An ice climber challenges a frozen waterfall, which is situated adjacent to the prehistoric rock carvings of Ganjnameh, a can’t-miss destination in Hamedan, west-central Iran, January 17, 2020.

Porticos, arches, domes and gardens, key elements of Persian architecture

TEHRAN – Iran has inherited numerous architectural traditions over the course of history. The Elamite, Achaemenian, Hellenistic, and other pre-Islamic and Islamic-era dynasties have left striking stone testaments to their greatness, such as Chogha Zanbil and Persepolis—both of which were designated UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1979.

Recovered Achaemenid ‘guard’ to go on show at Milad Tower

TEHRAN – A limestone relief of an Achaemenid Persian guard, which was brought back home from the U.S. last year, will go show in a month-long exhibit at Tehran’s Milad Tower.

Iran’s prehistoric Hyrcanian Forest still unknown to many

TEHRAN – Iran’s UNESCO-registered Hyrcanian Forest (also known as Caspian Forest), dating back some 50 million years, is a unique place that is still unknown to many.

Iran, Italy to mark 60 years of collaboration in cultural heritage

TEHRAN – Iran and Italy will mark 60 years of collaboration in the fields of cultural heritage and archaeology in a conference, which will be held on Sunday at the National Museum of Iran in downtown Tehran.

Visit Tappeh Mill, one of the most ancient temples in Iran

TEHRAN – Of the buildings that still remain from the early years of civilization, are the ancient temples. Given the importance of religion for the mankind, it’s not surprising that these spiritual sites were built using topmost architectural innovations of the time in imposing scales.

Achaemenid, Parthian clay seals unearthed in northeast Iran

TEHRAN – A team of Iranian and German archaeologists has recently discovered historical clay stamps, which are estimated to date from Achaemenid and Parthian eras.

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.