By Afshin Majlesi

Shams Tabrizi mausoleum gets major boost with new funding

KHOY, West Azarbaijan province – The Iranian government has allocated 30 trillion rials (approximately $375,000) to advance the long-delayed construction of the mausoleum of Shams Tabrizi, the famed Sufi mystic and spiritual mentor of the celebrated Persian poet Rumi.

Sang-e Chakhmaq's 8,000-year-old flute featured in museum's new video project

TEHRAN - The National Museum of Iran, in collaboration with the Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, has begun producing a series of short videos to introduce its artifacts to the public.

Ancient clay jars unearthed following road erosion in western Iran

TEHRAN - Two large clay jars, possibly dating back to prehistoric times, have been discovered in Dehloran county of Ilam province, western Iran.

Rare Sassanid-era inscription condemning break of promise discovered in Marvdasht, southern Iran

TEHRAN - A rare Sassanid-era inscription believed to condemn the act of betrayal and uphold the sanctity of loyalty and oaths has been discovered in the mountainous region of Marvdasht, Fars province, according to historian Dr. Abolhassan Atabaki.

Human remains and pottery fragments unearthed in Isfahan’s utility excavation

TEHRAN - A routine utility excavation in the historical city of Isfahan has led to the unexpected discovery of human skeletal remains and fragments of pottery, prompting an immediate halt to construction work and renewed attention to the area’s archaeological significance.

Second phase of Iran-China studies launches in Masouleh to examine ancient metallurgy

The second phase of joint archaeological research by Iranian and Chinese teams has commenced at the historical site of Masouleh, which is situated in northern Iran.

Echos of the past: Chopper tool from Kashafrud, northeast Iran

This chopper-shaped tool, made of quartz, was discovered near the Kashafrud River in Khorasan Razavi province, northeast Iran, and dates back to the Lower Paleolithic period. Evidence of flaking and the removal of several flakes can be seen at one end.

German ambassador highlights archaeology as a cultural bridge between Tehran and Berlin

TEHRAN - German Ambassador to Iran, Markus Potzel, has described archaeology as a shared language of civilizations and a powerful bridge linking Iran and Germany through science and culture.

Groundbreaking discovery in northern Persian Gulf sheds new light on early human migration

TEHRAN - A major archaeological discovery in the northern hinterlands of the Persian Gulf is transforming our understanding of early human migration into Asia.

Wezmeh Cave in west Zagros reveals window into prehistoric ecosystems

TEHRAN - In a landmark archaeological discovery, researchers have uncovered a remarkably diverse assemblage of Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene animal remains from Wezmeh Cave in western Iran’s Zagros Mountains.

New book brings ancient skeletons of Iranian plateau to life through storytelling and science

TEHRAN - A newly published Persian-language book titled “101 Narrations from Skeletons of Ancient Sites of Iranian Plateau” by Mehrnoosh Zadehdabagh offers a unique glimpse into the lives—and deaths—of ancient inhabitants of Iran.

Archaeologists uncover potential evidence of early maritime activity in southern Iran

TEHRAN - Recent excavations at Iran’s Kopal archaeological site have revealed artifacts that could shed new light on early maritime practices, though researchers emphasize the need for further analysis.

Parthian mural excavated from southwest Iran reveals artistic innovation

TEHRAN – A rare Parthian-era wall painting, being kept at the National Museum of Iran, reveals sophisticated artistry and enduring secrets.

Intricately carved 2,700-year-old Assyrian relief unearthed in Iraq

TEHRAN - A team of German archaeologists from Heidelberg University has made a major archaeological breakthrough in the ancient city of Nineveh, unearthing a monumental Assyrian bas-relief dating back to the 7th century BC.

3,200-year-old Iron Age woman's skeleton discovered in northern Iran

TEHRAN – A team of archaeologists has uncovered the 3,200-year-old skeleton of a woman in a rural district in northern Iran.

Archaeologists uncover prehistoric fishing evidence in southeast Iran

TEHRAN - Archaeologists have discovered compelling evidence of ancient fishing and maritime activities along Makran coasts in southeastern Iran.

Iran National Museum journal launches new issue on occasion of Cultural Heritage Week

TEHRAN - The new issue of the Iran National Museum Quarterly Journal (Volume 3, Issue 1) has been published on the occasion of the Cultural Heritage Week, which commences concurrent with the International Museum Day on May 18.

Archaeological survey reveals evidence of Paleolithic human presence in Kerman plain

TEHRAN - An archaeological team has uncovered evidence of continuous human presence in the central plains of Kerman, southern Iran, stretching from the Paleolithic period to modern times.

Paleolithic evidence discovered on Iran’s Makran coast

TEHRAN - A team of archaeologists, led by Dr. Morteza Hessari, has succeeded in discovering stone artifacts from the Paleolithic era on the Makran coast in Sistan-Baluchestan province.

Traces of Neanderthal presence discovered in cave, western Iran

TEHRAN – Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of Neanderthal habitation in Kunakhera Cave, located in the Zagros Mountain range in western Iran’s Kermanshah province.

Herding and hunting: National Museum study paints picture of Iron Age life

TEHRAN - A study by researchers from the National Museum of Iran has unveiled new insights into animal exploitation patterns during the Iron Age in Gilan province, which is bounded by the Caspian Sea, north of the country.

Neolithic and Chalcolithic archaeological site discovered in Mahallat, central Iran

TEHRAN– Iranian archaeologists in Markazi province have uncovered a prehistoric settlement site which dates back to the late Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods, according to provincial heritage officials.

Aerial mapping of Jiroft archaeological sites conducted for first time

TEHRAN - For the first time, aerial mapping and imaging have been conducted over key archaeological sites in Jiroft, a region renowned for its Bronze Age ruins dating back to the 3rd millennium BC.

Researchers uncover key paleolithic findings in cave, western Iran

TEHRAN - A recent archaeological excavation in Ghamari Cave in Lorestan province has drawn considerable domestic and international attention.

Takht-e Rostam was once on Caspian Sea’s southern edge

TEHRAN – Rounds of paleontological research in Iran have uncovered significant evidence of the Caspian Sea's shoreline dating back over 31,000 years, suggesting that the sea once extended much further than its current boundaries.

Giant ‘Sasanian-era’ jar unearthed in southern Iran

TEHRAN - An ancient earthenware jar believed to date back to the Sasanian era has been unearthed during a routine excavation in a village in southern Iran, according to local heritage authorities.

Archaeological excavations begin at Iran's ‘largest’ Neolithic site

TEHRAN - The third season of archaeological excavations has officially begun at Chogha Golan, a significant Neolithic site in the foothills of the Zagros Mountains, near Mehran in Ilam province.

Evidence of Neanderthal habitation discovered in Qamari Cave, western Iran

TEHRAN – A team of archaeologists has discovered some evidence of Neanderthal habitation during their recent survey conducted in Qamari Cave, located on the outskirts of Khorramabad in Lorestan province, western Iran.

Ten Bronze Age artifacts from Kerman registered as national heritage

TEHRAN - Ten ancient artifacts from the Bronze Age have been officially registered in Iran’s National List of Movable Heritage, according to Nader Alidadi-Soleimani, head of the Registration Office for Cultural Heritage in Kerman province.