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.

Iranian paleontologist unveils world’s first fossilized bird mating dance in Miocene strata

TEHRAN - In a groundbreaking paleontological discovery, Iranian scientist Dr. Nasrollah Abbassi, researcher at the University of Zanjan, has uncovered the world’s first fossilized evidence of an ancient bird mating ritual—captured in stunning detail in the Miocene Upper Red Formation of northwestern Iran.

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.

11,000-year-old secret revealed: Boars transported across Zagros for ritual feasts in western Iran

TEHRAN - A study by an international team has revealed that pre-agricultural communities at the Early Neolithic site of Asiab, near Kermanshah in western Iran (~9660–9340 cal BCE), engaged in complex logistical efforts to provision large-scale ritual feasts.

Rab'-e Rashidi: restoration campaign, land acquisition drive launched

Sang-e Chakhmaq's 8,000-year-old flute featured in museum's new video project

TEHRAN - The National Museum of Iran, in collaboration with the Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, has begun producing a series of short videos to introduce its artifacts to the public.

Ancient clay jars unearthed following road erosion in western Iran

TEHRAN - Two large clay jars, possibly dating back to prehistoric times, have been discovered in Dehloran county of Ilam province, western Iran.

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.

Human remains and pottery fragments unearthed in Isfahan’s utility excavation

TEHRAN - A routine utility excavation in the historical city of Isfahan has led to the unexpected discovery of human skeletal remains and fragments of pottery, prompting an immediate halt to construction work and renewed attention to the area’s archaeological significance.

Echos of the past: Chopper tool from Kashafrud, northeast Iran

This chopper-shaped tool, made of quartz, was discovered near the Kashafrud River in Khorasan Razavi province, northeast Iran, and dates back to the Lower Paleolithic period. Evidence of flaking and the removal of several flakes can be seen at one end.

Groundbreaking discovery in northern Persian Gulf sheds new light on early human migration

TEHRAN - A major archaeological discovery in the northern hinterlands of the Persian Gulf is transforming our understanding of early human migration into Asia.

Artifacts from Qajar and early Pahlavi eras discovered in Tehran park

TEHRAN - Recent archaeological discoveries made during urban development projects in Yas Park, located in northern Tehran, have been confirmed to date back to the Qajar and early Pahlavi periods.

Wezmeh Cave in west Zagros reveals window into prehistoric ecosystems

TEHRAN - In a landmark archaeological discovery, researchers have uncovered a remarkably diverse assemblage of Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene animal remains from Wezmeh Cave in western Iran’s Zagros Mountains.

Paleolithic evidence discovered on Iran’s Makran coast

TEHRAN - A team of archaeologists, led by Dr. Morteza Hessari, has succeeded in discovering stone artifacts from the Paleolithic era on the Makran coast in Sistan-Baluchestan province.

Neolithic and Chalcolithic archaeological site discovered in Mahallat, central Iran

TEHRAN– Iranian archaeologists in Markazi province have uncovered a prehistoric settlement site which dates back to the late Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods, according to provincial heritage officials.

Hasanlu village to be nominated for UN label as premier destination

TEHRAN - The ancient village of Hasanlu in northwest Iran is nearing completion of its dossier for inscription as one of the Best Tourism Villages, a prestigious label given by UN Tourism.

Aerial mapping of Jiroft archaeological sites conducted for first time

TEHRAN - For the first time, aerial mapping and imaging have been conducted over key archaeological sites in Jiroft, a region renowned for its Bronze Age ruins dating back to the 3rd millennium BC.

Lost quarry believed to supply Achaemenid palace in Susa discovered in western Iran

TEHRAN - In a landmark archaeological breakthrough, Iranian researchers have discovered what is believed to be the long-lost quarry used to source the massive stones for Achaemenid-era masterpieces such as the palace of Darius the Great in the ancient city of Susa.

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.

Grand ancient Greek tomb unearthed near Corinth

The Ministry of Culture announced the discovery of a grand ancient Greek tomb site near the ancient city of Tenea in Corinth, resembling Macedonian tombs from the Hellenistic era.

Ten Bronze Age artifacts from Kerman registered as national heritage

TEHRAN - Ten ancient artifacts from the Bronze Age have been officially registered in Iran’s National List of Movable Heritage, according to Nader Alidadi-Soleimani, head of the Registration Office for Cultural Heritage in Kerman province.

Rediscovering Sepandarmazgan: Iran’s forgotten day of love

TEHRAN - Before Valentine’s Day, there was Sepandarmazgan, an occasion dedicated to cherishing women and love.

Lichens on Iran’s ancient structures unrelated to pollution, expert confirms

TEHRAN - The presence of lichens on Iran’s historical stone carvings and ancient structures is solely due to climatic conditions and moisture, rather than industrial pollution, a prominent cultural heritage expert has confirmed.