Echoes of the past: folio from the manuscript of Layli and Majnun

A single folio from the manuscript of Layli and Majnun, illustrating the scene of the lovers attending school, is on display in the Timurid Hall of the Museum of Archaeology and Islamic Art of Iran, part of the National Museum of Iran.

Tiny seal from Persepolis holds a clear image of Achaemenid naval power

During the 1936 excavations at Persepolis led by Erich Schmidt of the University of Chicago’s Oriental Institute, a small clay seal impression was recovered from the Treasury. Barely 2.5 centimeters across, it bears the crisp image of a warship, a rare and direct glimpse of how the Achaemenid court viewed its own naval strength.

Study sheds new light on UNESCO-listed Khorramabad Valley Prehistoric Sites

TEHRAN – A new scientific article on the Chalcolithic and Bronze Age periods in the Khorramabad Valley has been published in the latest issue of the journal of the National Museum of Iran, the head of Lorestan’s Cultural Heritage Department said on Friday.

Museum director commemorates Arfa’i as pioneer of Elamite, Old Babylonian studies

TEHRAN – The head of the museum at Persepolis on Thursday marked the memory of professor Abdolmajid Arfa’i, an Elamite scholar and researcher of ancient Elamite and Akkadian languages, who died on Wednesday at the age of 86 after a period of illness.

Elamitologist Abdolmajid Arfa’i, decipherer of Cyrus Cylinder, dies at 86

TEHRAN – Professor Abdolmajid Arfa’i, Elamite scholar and prominent researcher of ancient Elamite and Akkadian languages, died on Wednesday, after a period of illness. He was 86.

Latest issue of Iran National Museum Journal now available

TEHRAN - Jebrael Nokandeh, director-general of the National Museum of Iran, said on Sunday that the latest edition of the museum’s journal, which is published every six months, has been released.

Iran’s Neolithic communities excelled in antler craft, research shows

TEHRAN - A recent archaeological study published in the journal Anthropozoologica sheds new light on the sophisticated craftsmanship and resource strategies of early human societies on the Iranian Plateau.

National Museum to host Symposium of Iranian Archaeology

TEHRAN – The 23rd Symposium of Iranian Archaeology is set to be held from Jan. 26 to 28 at the National Museum of Iran in downtown Tehran, organizers said.

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.

Iran, Tajikistan national museums plan joint exhibitions to expand cultural cooperation

TEHRAN — Officials from the National Museum of Iran and the National Museum of Tajikistan have agreed on plans to expand cultural cooperation and organize joint exhibitions during a meeting in Tehran on Wednesday.

Tehran on path to becoming city of life and tourism

TEHRAN--Measures taken in various areas of Tehran in recent years have brought the capital city one step closer to transforming from a ‘city of work’ to a ‘city of life and tourism’ destination.

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.

‘The Land of Legends’ unveiled at National Museum ceremony

TEHRAN – The unveiling ceremony of the book “Iran, The Land of Legends” was held on Tuesday evening at the National Museum.

National Museum to host conference on human living spaces

TEHRAN – The National Museum of Iran is scheduled to hold a national conference on human living spaces on Feb. 15, 2026.

‘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.

Bastam Castle, a lesser-known destination for domestic and foreign tourists

TEHRAN— Bastam Castle, in the north-central Semnan Province, is a lesser-known destination for both domestic and foreign tourists.

UNESCO recognition of Cyrus Cylinder highlights Iran’s role in human rights, museum director says

TEHRAN – The recent UNESCO recognition of the Cyrus Cylinder as one of the earliest documents on human rights is a source of national pride and a reaffirmation of Iran’s contribution to universal human values, the director of the National Museum of Iran said on Sunday.

Echoes of the past: Early Sassanian natural mummy on public display

A remarkable archaeological discovery made by miners in Iran’s Zanjan province three decades ago has, after extensive scientific investigation, been confirmed as the naturally preserved remains of a man from the early Sassanian Empire.

Tehran to host conference on AI for protecting historical sites from natural disasters

TEHRAN-- A conference for crisis management and protection of Iran's historical monuments will be held for studying the role of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in preventing and reducing the damages by the crises.

20 new museums to be added to Tehran’s cultural scene

TEHRAN--Nearly 20 museums will be added to Tehran's cultural and tourism sites, said CEO of Tehran Municipality Cultural Spaces Development Company Nazem Razavi.

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.

“Silk Legacy” exhibition celebrates centuries-old cultural ties between Iran and China

TEHRAN— The National Museum of Iran has opened the exhibition “Silk Legacy: A Review of Iran–China Relations,” highlighting the enduring cultural and historical connections between the two ancient civilizations

Iran-China joint cultural heritage plays effective role in deepening ties

TEHRAN--Joint cultural heritage of Iran and China plays an effective role in deepening relations between the two countries and should be considered as a bridge between the hearts of the people of the two nations, said Minister of Cultural Heritage Reza Salehi-Amiri.

Tehran to host exhibit dedicated to Iranian, Chinese arts

TEHRAN — An exhibition, featuring a selection of archaeological and artistic treasures from Iran and China, will officially open at the National Museum of Iran on Tuesday, October 14.

Echoes of the past: Fragment of an Achaemenid relief                      

‘Narrators of Ancient Iran’ on view at National Museum

TEHRAN – A new exhibition titled “Narrators of Ancient Iran: A Selection of Objects from the National Museum” has opened its doors to the public at the vast, prestigious museum, which is located in downtown Tehran.