Ancient carving shows Assyrian soldiers using goat skins to cross river 2,900 years ago

TEHRAN – A 2,900-year-old carved panel from the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud shows soldiers swimming across a river using inflatable goat skins, according to the British Museum.

Tehran launches China-focused tourism marketing course with UN support

TEHRAN – Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts has launched an online training program on tourism marketing aimed at attracting Chinese visitors, with support from the UN Tourism (United Nations World Tourism Organization), an official said on Thursday.

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.

Iran monitors subsidence at UNESCO-listed Gonbad-e Qabus tower

TEHRAN – Iranian heritage authorities are carrying out subsidence monitoring and technology studies on the UNESCO-listed Gonbad-e Qabus tower in Golestan province, the provincial tourism chief said on Saturday.

Gorgan–Aktau flights to resume after weeks of halt

TEHRAN – Flights between Gorgan in northern Iran and Aktau in Kazakhstan is scheduled to resume after a temporary suspension caused by regional conflict and security concerns.

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.

Over 2.6 million Arbaeen pilgrims exit Iran via land borders; Mehran most crowded

TEHRAN – More than 2.6 million pilgrims crossed Iran’s six land borders to enter Iraq for Arbaeen between July 26 and August 8, Iranian road management officials reported on Saturday.

8,000-year-old Tepe Sialk proposed for UNESCO World Heritage listing

TEHRAN - Tepe Sialk, a c. 8,000-year-old archaeological site in Kashan, central Iran, has been placed on Iran’s shortlist of potential UNESCO World Heritage sites, an official said, as efforts to resolve legal and conservation issues around the site’s protected area gain momentum.

National Museum of Iran celebrates UNESCO inscription of Khorramabad Valley Prehistoric Sites

TEHRAN – A ceremony marking the UNESCO World Heritage inscription of the Prehistoric Sites of Khorramabad Valley took place on Tuesday at the National Museum of Iran.

By Afshin Majlesi

Restoration of Arnaldo Pomodoro’s 3-ton bronze sphere underway in Tehran

TEHRAN - Conservation work has begun on a 3,000-kilogram bronze sculpture by the late Italian artist Arnaldo Pomodoro at a museum in northern Tehran.

1000-year-old carved tombstone discovered in UNESCO-listed Yazd

TEHRAN - A historic tombstone dating back almost 1,000 years has been uncovered during restoration work at Dowlatshahi Mosque in the UNESCO-listed city of Yazd, central Iran.

Expert calls for four-year plan to restore historic bazaar in Lar

TEHRAN - A senior regional development planning expert has proposed the development of a four-year restoration plan for the Qeysarieh Bazaar in Lar, southern Iran, involving private sector participation and non-governmental organizations.

Centuries-old qanats in Ardakan undergo restoration

TEHRAN – Restoration and rehabilitation work has begun on a series of historic qanats located in the old urban fabric of Ardakan, Yazd province, as part of a preservation initiative for the region’s ancient water infrastructure, local officials said.

Discover Qeshm, the largest island of the Persian Gulf

TEHRAN - Qeshm Island, the largest island in the Persian Gulf, is where natural wonders, strategic geography, and ancient culture intersect.

Iran seeks to facilitate travel for its expatriates

TEHRAN - Seyyed Zia Hashemi, Cultural Deputy to the First Vice President of Iran, has announced efforts by the government and parliament to ease travel procedures for millions of Iranians living abroad who wish to visit their homeland.

Continuous human settlement in Hamedan confirmed from Achaemenid era to Present

THERAN – Archaeologists conducting excavations at the Baba Taher pedestrian pathway in Hamedan have uncovered evidence of continuous human settlement in the area dating from the Achaemenid period (circa 550–330 BC) to the present day, according to local experts.

12th-century Shebeli Tower to undergo restoration

TEHRAN – The historic Shebeli Tower in Damavand is set to undergo restoration, a local tourism official said on Saturday.

Flydubai is to resume international flights at Bushehr airport

TEHRAN - Flydubai airline will resume international flights to and from Bushehr airport starting Saturday, the airport’s director announced on Thursday.

Archaeologists race to preserve looted Parthian-era cemetery in Yazd

TEHRAN - Archaeologists have launched a major effort to document and preserve the looted Gour-e Kafari Cemetery, which is located in Bahabad county of Yazd province, officials from the Iranian Center for Archaeological Research (ICAR) announced.

Astarabad restores historic passage to celebrate heritage, draw visitors

TEHRAN - The municipality of Gorgan has officially launched the second phase of a major restoration project aimed at revitalizing a historic passageway in the ancient city of Astarabad, now known as Gorgan.

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.

Automobile Museum of Iran launches special detailing workshop

TEHRAN – The Automobile Museum of Iran, also known as the Historical Car Museum of Iran, will host its first workshop on professional car detailing and preservation starting August 24.

Lighting upgrade begins at majestic Chehel Sotoun Palace

TEHRAN – Authorities have started modern lighting installation at the Chehel Sotoun Palace complex in Isfahan, provincial cultural officials announced on Sunday.

Archaeologists consider new excavation at Qal-e Kord, one of Iran’s oldest known human settlements

TEHRAN – A number of local officials and university experts held a coordination meeting on Monday to plan the sixth season of archaeological excavations at Qal-e Kord Cave, marking the continuation of work at one of Iran’s oldest known human settlements located in Avaj county of Qazvin province.

Underground Anuj complex added to Iran’s national heritage list

TEHRAN - An ancient underground hand-carved complex, located in the Samen district of Malayer county, has been officially registered on Iran’s national heritage list, authorities announced.

Tehran museum to host festival of Arbaeen heritage

TEHRAN – An international festival dedicated to Arbaeen heritage is scheduled to take place on July 21-22 at the National Museum of the Islamic Revolution and Sacred Defense in Tehran.