Prehistoric discoveries at Falak-ol-Aflak castle strengthen UNESCO bid

KHORRAMABAD – A major archaeological campaign at the historic mound of Falak-ol-Aflak castle has uncovered important evidence that rewrites the site's history, significantly strengthening Iran's proposal for its expansion on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

By Afshin Majlesi

Shushtar residents call for UNESCO listing of historical urban fabric

SHUSHTAR (Khuzestan province) - Residents of the historic city of Shushtar in Iran’s southwestern Khuzestan province have launched a public campaign calling for the inscription of the city’s historical urban fabric on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, citing its cultural, architectural and living heritage value.

Archaeological evidence indicates 10th-century Persian settlement in Madagascar

TEHRAN - The mysterious archaeological site of Teniky, hidden within the remote rainforests and canyons of Madagascar's Isalo National Park, has long puzzled scientists with its unique rock-cut niches and stone walls.

Experimental archaeology at Masuleh: Medieval Iron smelting technology reconstructed

TEHRAN - An interdisciplinary research team has successfully reconstructed a medieval iron smelting and casting complex at the Old Masuleh historical site in northern Iran, revealing advanced metallurgical expertise in the region.

Sasanian-era pottery jar discovered in southern Iran

TEHRAN – A pottery jar dating back to the Sasanian era has recently been discovered in Dehqaed village of Bushehr province, southern Iran, following recent rainfall, the provincial tourism chief said on Tuesday.

Nahavand’s tumulus-shaped tomb could shed light on Seleucid era: archaeologist

TEHRAN – An Iranian archaeologist has said the discovery of a tumulus-shaped ancient tomb near the city of Nahavand could reveal new details about the Seleucid period, citing it as the only known tumulus in Iran dated to that era.

Parthian-Sasanian artifacts from Amlash culture made national heritage

TEHRAN - Iran has added three Parthian-Sasanian period artifacts discovered in Amlash county in Gilan province to its national heritage list, the provincial head of cultural heritage said on Saturday.

Sassanid-era inscription referring to royal festival discovered

TEHRAN — An Iranian archaeologist said a Sassanid-era inscription referring to the calendar of a royal festival has recently been discovered on rock cliffs in the Marvdasht Plain in southern Iran.

Facial reconstruction portrays man lived c. 10,000 years ago in western Iran

TEHRAN – An international team of archaeologists and researchers has produced a facial reconstruction of a young man who lived around 10,000 years ago at Ganj Dareh, a Neolithic site in western Iran.

National conference reviews technology use in salvage archaeology for dam projects

TEHRAN - A national conference on the use of modern science and technology in salvage archaeology for major water and energy infrastructure projects was held in Tehran on Saturday.

Elymaean rock carving discovered in southwest Iran

TEHRAN – A newly identified Elymaean rock carving has been discovered in the highlands of Kuh-e Manar in Andika, southwest Iran, according to the director of the Masjed Soleyman Cultural and Industrial Landscape National Base.

Archaeologists uncover traces of ‘7,000-year-old’ village beneath Iran’s historic Dehdasht

TEHRAN - Archaeologists in Iran have discovered evidence of a prehistoric settlement dating back up to 7,000 years beneath the historic city of Dehdasht in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, the lead researcher said on Saturday.

Persepolis launches new conservation program using advanced material and imaging technology

TEHRAN – Iranian restoration teams have launched a new conservation program at the UNESCO-designated Persepolis and the nearby Naqsh-e Rostam site using advanced imaging, special material, and stone-analysis technologies, officials said on Saturday.

Archaeology students tour historical monuments in Varamin plain

TEHRAN – A group of archaeology students from the University of Tehran visited several major historical and religious sites across the Varamin plain on Monday.

Excavations reveal secrets of seasonal pastoral camp in Hawraman Mountains

TEHRAN — Newly published findings from rescue excavations at the Bardeh Mar archaeological site in Iran’s Hawraman region are shedding fresh light on the seasonal rhythms of pastoral life during the Islamic period.

Groundbreaking research reveals two-thirds of Babylonian Bisotun inscription may be lost

A new study published in the journal IRAQ has cast doubt on the long-accepted completeness of the Babylonian version of the famous Bisotun (Behistun) Inscription, one of the most important trilingual records of the ancient world.

Third excavation season begins at Zel Hastijan cave

TEHRAN-- The third excavation season has begun in Zel Hastijan Cave, in the city of Delijan, Markazi province.

Isfahan opens intl. tourism exhibition, officials say event marks new phase in sector

TEHRAN – Officials in Iran’s central province of Isfahan said on Tuesday that the 15th Isfahan International Exhibition of Tourism, Handicrafts and Hoteling would help launch a new phase in the region’s tourism development.

UNESCO-listed Susa completes protection work on 253 Apadana Palace remains

TEHRAN – Conservation teams in the UNESCO-registered Susa have completed a project to safeguard and protect 253 architectural remains from the Achaemenid-era Apadana Palace, the head of the Susa World Heritage base said on Tuesday.

‘Narrators of Ancient Iran’ extended after popular demand

TEHRAN - Due to “its great success”, the exhibition “Narrators of Ancient Iran: A Selection of Objects from the National Museum” has been extended for one month and will now remain open to the public until December 21.

Cultural and civilizational developments of Iron Age in Western Iran

TEHRAN--The Iron Age in Iran is not just a historical period; it is the narrative of thousands of years of life, migration, and art that has been left in cemeteries and ancient sites from Zagros to the north of the country and has been revived today through scientific explorations.

Chinese imports found in Iran’s kish Island, excavations indicate historical trade links

TEHRAN — Archaeologists have uncovered imported Chinese ceramics during the seventh season of excavations at the ancient city of Harireh on Kish Island, reaffirming historical trade connections between China and southern Iran, researchers said on Saturday.

Needle-carved image linked to Sasanian king found in Southern Iran

TEHRAN — A needle-carved rock image believed to depict a Sasanian king has been discovered in the cliffs of the ancient city of Istakhr, located in Marvdasht Plain, an archaeologist said.

UNESCO recognizes Cyrus Cylinder as one of world’s earliest human rights charters

TEHRAN - UNESCO’s General Conference on Thursday adopted a resolution recognizing the Cyrus Cylinder as one of the world’s earliest declarations promoting cultural diversity and human rights.

Evidence of Lower Paleolithic toolmakers may rewrite history of human migration to Iranian Plateau

TEHRAN - A massive prehistoric settlement discovered in southern Iran’s Hormozgan province is set to rewrite the history of early human migration to the Iranian Plateau, pushing back evidence of human presence in the region by hundreds of thousands of years.

Iran holds talks with Iraq on preserving ruins of Taq Kasra monument

TEHRAN - Iran has held discussions with Iraqi officials on preserving and restoring the ancient Taq Kasra monument, a major remnant of the Sassanid Empire located near Baghdad, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Reza Salehi-Amiri said on Saturday.

Iran, China cultural exchanges accelerate, Beijing’s ambassador says

TEHRAN – Beijing’s ambassador to Tehran has said that cooperation between Iran and China in cultural heritage research has gained greater speed and depth over the past two years, describing the field as a strategic platform for expanding bilateral scientific and civilizational exchanges.