‘World’s smallest’ ancient inscription discovered in southern Iran

TEHRAN – An Iranian historian has announced the discovery of what he says is the “world’s smallest known ancient inscription”, a 1,600-year-old text carved on a rock wall in Marvdasht, Fars province, dating to the late Sassanid period.

Echoes of the Past: Stucco plaque of Sasanian lady

The pictured Sassanid-era stucco plaque set within a central square depicts the bust of a smiling woman—likely a Sasanian princess, suggested by her ornate adornments. Unearthed at Tepe Hessar in Damghan, modern-day Semnan province, it dates to the late 6th or early 7th century CE.

Sasanian ossuary inscription discovered at Naqsh-e Rostam

TEHRAN – Archaeologists have uncovered a funerary inscription linked to an ossuary from the late Sasanian period at the Naqsh-e Rostam archaeological site in Marvdasht, southern Iran.

Iran’s culture minister calls for accelerated excavations at ancient city of Istakhr

TEHRAN – Iran’s minister of cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts has urged faster archaeological excavations at the ancient city of Istakhr in southern Iran, citing the site’s historical importance and the need for stronger protection against illegal digging.

Sassanid-era Vigol fire temple undergoes restoration

TEHRAN – Restoration work has commenced on the Vigol fire temple, a rare archaeological site from the Sassanid era located in the central province of Isfahan, the provincial tourism chief said on Saturday.

Fourth burial inscription identified in Naqsh-e Rostam

TEHRAN—Abolhassan Atabaki, archaeologist and researcher, gave news of discovery of the fourth burial inscription in the area of Naqsh-e Rostam in Marvdasht, Fars province, saying that the inscription is related to an ossuary, a container or repository for the bones of the dead, from the late Sassanid era and has very beautiful decorations.

Taq-e Bostan sign installed in Turkey’s Gaziantep

TEHRAN - A sign representing Taq-e Bostan, one of Iran’s most significant Sasanian archaeological sites near Kermanshah, has been installed in a prominent square leading to the city’s airport in Gaziantep.

Restoration work begins on Palace of Ardashir Papakan

TEHRAN – Restoration work has started on parts of the historic Palace of Ardashir Papakan near Firuzabad in Fars province, a cultural heritage official said on Sunday.

By Seyed Hossein Hosseiniseddiq

The story of Sassanid king and blacksmith’s beautiful sword

Ages ago, a blacksmith presented a very beautiful sword to the Sassanid king Shahpour.

Echoes of the past: silver plate with lion hunt scene

The pictured silver plate of ancient Iran depicts a royal horseman engaged in a lion hunt.

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.

Over 6,000 people visit Sassanid-era Falak-ol-Aflak fortress in single day

TEHRAN - More than 6,000 people visited the historic Falak-ol-Aflak fortress in Khorramabad, the capital of Lorestan province, on Thursday.

Grandeur of ancient Persia in Rayen Citadel

TEHRAN--The majestic Rayen Citadel in Kerman, a 1,500-year-old adobe fortress standing proudly at the foot of Mount Hezar, echoes the grandeur of ancient Persia.

Iran offers to help restore Taq Kasra in Iraq

TEHRAN – Iran has expressed readiness to assist in the restoration of Taq Kasra, a masterpiece of Sassanid-era Persian architecture located near Baghdad.

Sassanid pottery fragment discovered in Isfahan province

TEHRAN— A fragment of inscribed pottery known as an ostraca has been identified in the Lenjan district of Iran’s Isfahan province.

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.

Excavation work starts on ruins of Valerian’s Palace in Bishapur

TEHRAN - A new phase of archaeological excavations has commenced on the ruins of Valerian’s Palace in the ancient city of Bishapur, located in Kazerun county of Fars province. The palace is believed to have once served as a residence for the captured Roman Emperor Valerian during the Sassanid era.

Ruins of Valerian’s palace to undergo archaeological excavation

TEHRAN – Valerian’s Palace, which was once a residence for the captivated Roman Emperor during Sassanid era, in Bishapur, southern Iran, is set to undergo archaeological excavation.

Archaeological studies begin on a discovered hole at Shushtar’s bus terminal

TEHRAN - Shushtar’s Department of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts has announced the initiation of archaeological and research studies on a hole discovered during construction work at the city’s bus terminal.

Restoration of Manujan fortress in southern Iran begins

TEHRAN - Manujan Fortress, a ruined rampart believed to date from the Sassanid era in the southern Kerman province, has undergone restoration.

Traces of large-scale Sasanian agricultural estate discovered in southern Iran

TEHRAN - A significant Sasanian agricultural estate, or dastgerd, featuring multiple gardens and kushks, has been identified in Mohammadabad-Baghdasht Plain, situated in Fars province, southern Iran.

Iran plans new tourist pathway linking Persepolis, Naqsh-e Rostam, and Naqsh-e Rajab

TEHRAN - The Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Directorate of Fars province has announced the design of a new 6-kilometer tourist pathway connecting three of Iran’s most iconic archaeological sites: Persepolis, Naqsh-e Rostam, and Naqsh-e Rajab.

Tehran conference to spotlight new research on Sassanid Persia

TEHRAN – The Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies in Tehran is set to host the conference titled “Sassanian Persia: Once Upon a Time” on December 18.

Sassanid site in Rey, southern Tehran, secured with walls

TEHRAN - The Tepe Mil archaeological site in Rey, southern Tehran, has recently been enclosed with protective walls, a significant step in preserving this key Sassanid-era site.

Sassanid-era Rayen fortress undergoes restoration

TEHRAN - A new phase of restoration has commenced on the historic Rayen fortress, one of the largest ancient mud-brick structures in the world, with origins tracing back to the Sassanid era.

Archaeologists confirm Sassanid temple significance previously discovered in northeast Iran

TEHRAN – Archaeologists have confirmed that a previously discovered site in Bazeh Hur, located approximately 70 km from Mashhad in Iran’s Khorasan Razavi province, is one of the largest and most significant Sassanid fire temples in northeastern Iran.

Archaeologists claim to identify site of historic Battle of al-Qadisiyyah using satellite images

TEHRAN - A team of archaeologists claims to have identified the location of the historic Battle of al-Qadisiyyah, fought in c. 636 CE between Iran’s Sasanian Empire and an invading Arab army in present-day Iraq.

Hundreds of artifacts from Sassanian and Babylonian eras unearthed in Iraq

TEHRAN - Archaeologists in Iraq have recently uncovered hundreds of ancient artifacts dating back to the eras of ancient Babylon and the Sassanian Empire.

Naqsh-e Rostam: limited excavation permit issued to address water penetration

TEHRAN - The head of the Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts has announced the issuance of a limited excavation permit for the ancient site of Naqsh-e Rostam.