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.

Ruins of Sassanid palace in southern Iran to undergo restoration, reorganization project

TEHRAN - The Sassanian Sarvestan Palace, one of Iran’s key historical sites from the Sassanid era, is undergoing restoration and reorganization efforts.

Ruins of defensive fortress in central Iran undergo restoration 

TEHRAN – Work has commenced to restore and strengthen Mohammadieh Fortress, which once served as a defensive refuge in the heart of Iran during ancient times. 

Sassanid structure, possibly ruins of a fire temple, discovered in western Iran

TEHRAN – An archaeological team has uncovered the remains of a structure dating back to the Sassanid era in western Iran, which they believe could be the ruins of a fire temple.

1,700-year-old paintings unearthed in southern Iran

TEHRAN - A team of archaeologists has discovered a series of 1,700-year-old paintings in the ancient city of Gur, located three kilometers from Firuzabad, Fars province, southern Iran.

Sassanid bas-relief in Firuzabad undergoing preservation project

TEHRAN - The Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Department of Fars province has announced a new restoration and preservation project for an ancient Sassanid bas-relief located in the Tangab Valley of Firuzabad. 

UNESCO assessor visits prehistoric caves in Khorramabad’s valley

TEHRAN - A UNESCO assessor has visited several prehistoric caves in Khorramabad’s valley as part of an ongoing evaluation process for the inclusion of “Khorramabad’s Valley and Falak-ol-Aflak Fortress” in UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

New pathway to enhance visitors’ experience at 1,600-year-old palace

TEHRAN - A new tourist pathway is being constructed to enhance access and protection at the Sassanid Palace in Sarvestan, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Excavations at Milmiluneh reveal pottery from Sassanid to Safavid eras

TEHRAN – Recent excavations at the Milmiluneh site, Situated in Markazi province, have unearthed a tapestry of pottery spanning from the Sassanid to Safavid periods, shedding new light on the site’s historical significance.