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.

British Museum considers holding exhibit in Tehran

TEHRAN – The British Museum is considering a plan to hold a joint exhibition of ancient relics at the National Museum of Iran, its director said in Tehran on Tuesday.

UNESCO-registered Pasargadae launches website

TEHRAN – Authorities of Pasargadae, a UNESCO World Heritage, have recently launched an official website for the magnificent royal complex in southern 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.

Quake harms historical sites in western Iran

TEHRAN – A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck western Iran late on Sunday, causing relatively minor damage to several historic and heritage sites in Kermanshah and Ilam provinces.

U.S. court suspends auction of ancient Iranian relief

TEHRAN – A U.S. court has suspended an auction of a prehistoric Iranian bas-relief carving that was scheduled to go under the hammer at the Rupert Wace Ancient Art on Friday, CHTN reported.

Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System: A clue to human genius

TEHRAN - Inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage list in 2009 as a ‘masterpiece of creative genius’, the Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System in southwest Iran is a destination for history buffs, nature lovers and travelers who eyewitness how the prehistoric yet homogeneous hydraulic system works.

Naqsh-e Rostam: A must-see tourist hotspot in southern Iran

TEHRAN – A variety of spectacular massive rock–hewn tombs and bas-relief carvings at Naqsh-e Rostam has turned the ancient site to a must-see for holidaymakers traversing Iran. The Achaemenid necropolis is situated near Persepolis, itself a bustling UNESCO World Heritage site near the southern city of Shiraz.

Iranians observe Mehregan aiming to renew friendship

TEHRAN – Yesterday evening, clusters of Iranian Zoroastrians came together in various reunions across the country to celebrate Mehregan, an ancient Persian festival that marks friendship, affection and love.

By Afshin Majlesi

See Iran’s World Heritage sites in landscaped miniature park

TEHRAN – For ones who are always short of time but fascinated with rich Iranian cultural heritage - no matter what age they are - visiting Tehran’s Miniature Garden Museum, featuring replicas of the country’s most important historical landmarks and landscapes, is a must.

Bam citadel’s giant gateway regaining former glory

TEHRAN – Restoration work on the giant gateway of Arg-e Bam, a quake-stricken UNESCO-registered citadel in south-eastern Iran, will be completed in October, said the Bam and its Cultural Landscape project manager.