Heritage museum inaugurated in ancient city of Izeh

TEHRAN – Iran’s deputy tourism minister on Friday inaugurated a cultural heritage museum in Izeh, southwestern Khuzestan province, with the aim of introducing the rich history and culture of the ancient city.

Sorbonne experts confirm fossilized skull found in Iran belongs to Homo sapiens

TEHRAN – A team of researches and archaeologists from the Sorbonne University has confirmed a fragment of a fossilized skull, which had been found in an Iranian cave, belongs to Homo sapiens, the only extant human species.

Archeological find corroborates Japan-Persia ancient ties

TEHRAN – Japan has unveiled a rare discovery of ties between the then mighty empire of the East and people from the then Persia (now called Iran).

Ancient Iranian wall among top 10 archaeology discoveries of 2019

TEHRAN – The discovery of a massive ancient wall in western Iran has been announced by Live Science as one of the top 10 biggest archaeology findings of 2019.

Magnetic survey reveals two stone structures in Pasargadae

TEHRAN – A recent magnetic survey conducted by a team of Iranian and French interdisciplinary experts suggests that two historical stone structures exist beneath the UNESCO-registered Pasargadae in southern Iran.

Historical potteries, human bones unearthed in Iranian town

TEHRAN – Fragments of potteries and human bones have accidentally been discovered during a construction project in Damghan, an ancient town in northcentral Iran.

Tehran, Rome seeking enhanced cultural heritage co-op, Italian envoy says

TEHRAN – Italian ambassador to Iran Giuseppe Perrone on Monday said that the two countries are in talks to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly in the field of cultural heritage.

Some 2,500 historical monuments in need of restoration in Iran

TEHRAN – Of the numerous historical buildings and structures that are scattered across Iran, some 2,500 ones are in need of restoration, an official with the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts has said. 

Louvre hosts conference devoted to Iran’s ancient Sialk hills

TEHRAN – The Louvre on Monday hosted an international conference on Tapeh Sialk (“Sialk hills”), which is one of the oldest and richest archaeological sites in central Iran.

Italian, Japanese expertise to help reinforce Tehran museum

TEHRAN – Italian, Japanese and Iranian engineering firms are set to join hands in a project for reinforcing and strengthening the “Ancient Iran” section of the National Museum of Iran, director of the museum said on Sunday, Fars reported.

Iranian experts build replica of two-million-year-old elephant skull

TEHRAN – A life-size replica of the skull of an elephant, which is estimated to have lived some two million years ago, was unveiled at Zanjan University on Sunday.

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.

Newly-found petroglyph in western Iran may have link to Mithraism

TEHRAN – A newly-discovered rock-carving in western Iran could have a link to Mithraism, a prehistorical religion inspired by Iranian worship of the Zoroastrian god Mithra.

Prehistoric site discovered in Iran dating to 3rd millennium BC

TEHRAN – A prehistoric site, estimated to date from the third millennium BC, has recently been discovered in Minab, southern Iran.

Fossilized tooth is first evidence Neanderthals once lived in Iran

TEHRAN – A fossilized tooth found decades ago in the Zagros Mountains, western Iran, proves that Neanderthals once lived in the country, ARCHAEOLOGY magazine, a publication of the Archaeological Institute of America, has said, citing it as one of the ten most important archaeological findings in 2019.

Returned Achaemenid tablets to go on show in Qazvin

TEHRAN – A select of 1,783 Achaemenid-era clay tablets and fragments, which were on loan from Iran to the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago since 1935, will be put on show in the city of Qazvin.

Cave bearing ancient human skeletons discovered near Tehran

TEHRAN – Iranian archaeologists have recently discovered remains of human skeletons reportedly dating back to ancient era in a cave in Lavasan region near Tehran.

Iran submits dossier to UNESCO for listing Uraman landscape

TEHRAN – Iran has recently submitted a dossier to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for possible inscription of the Uraman cultural landscape which is situated west of the country.

National museum has new look at history of Tehran

TEHRAN – An exhibit at the National Museum of Iran offers its visitors Tehran’s thousands of years of history by showcasing relics excavated from southern and northern neighborhoods of the city.

By Marjohn Sheikhi

‘Passion, penchant for uncertainty’ are what you need for archaeology, says Prof. Barbara Kaim

TEHRAN - Renowned Polish Professor Barbara Kaim, an archaeologist with a focus on Iran and Central Asia, says you need passion and a penchant for uncertainty to venture into the realm of archaeology.

Traces of early humans found in southern Iran 

TEHRAN – A team of archaeologists has found traces of early humans and their basic handmade tools near the village of Bangelayan, southern Hormozgan province. 

Ancient Iran: a glimpse of Persian art and architecture under Sassanids

TEHRAN – The Sassanid era (224 CE–651) is of very high importance in the history of Iran. Under Sassanids, Persian art and architecture experienced a general renaissance.

Relics relating to Kingdom of Urartu found in northwest Iran

TEHRAN – Archaeological relics relating to Kingdom of Urartu (860 BC – 590 BC) has recently been found in Anaqizli mount, Chaypareh county, northwest Iran.

Dutch archaeology show in Tehran wraps up

TEHRAN – A significant exhibition of arts and archaeological objects, which was on loan from the Drents Museum, has come to an end at the National Museum of Iran, CHTN reported on Sunday.

Iran among countries with Neanderthal discoveries

TEHRAN - A new find, recently published in the Journal of Human Evolution, suggests that Neanderthals were roaming at the Iranian Zagros Mountain sometimes between 40 to 70 thousand years ago.

Preliminary studies start on fossilized skull found in western Iran

TEHRAN – Preliminary studies have been started on pieces of a fossilized skull, which was untethered earlier in western Iran. The skull is attributed to Homo sapiens.

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.

Remains of a Neanderthal-era horse found in Iran

TEHRAN – Archaeologists have discovered remains of a horse, which they believe to be hunted by Neanderthals in a cave that is now situated in Qazvin province.

Ancient fort in southern Tehran to turn into outdoor museum

TEHRAN – The ruined Gabri fort, which is said to date from Sassanid era, will be turned into an outdoor museum, an official with the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization said on Tuesday, IRNA reported.

Refuge with troglodytic architecture found in northern Iran

TEHRAN – Locals of a northern Iranian village have discovered a cave-like entrance to a larger area, which recent investigation by cultural heritage experts proved it was probably used as a refuge in the far past.