Nahavand ancient fortress to be revived in major restoration effort

TEHRAN – The ancient fortress of Nahavand, also known as the Yazdegerd Citadel, is set to undergo restoration as part of a significant cultural heritage initiative in west-central Iran.

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.

Archaeologists uncover early Elamite burial near Persepolis in southern Iran

TEHRAN - Archaeologists have discovered evidence of an early Elamite jar burial and traces of kiln waste at Tol-e Roubahi Kenareh, less than two km south of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Persepolis in southern Iran.

Rock carving of Sassanid ‘nobleman’ discovered in southern Iran

TEHRAN - A Sassanid-era rock carving estimated to be more than 1,500 years old has been discovered on the cliffs of Marvdasht in southern Iran’s Fars province, an Iranian historian said on Thursday.

Effort underway to safeguard Persepolis from ongoing erosion

TEHRAN – Iran is finalizing a comprehensive management and conservation plan for Persepolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Fars province, amid growing concerns from experts about erosion of its ancient stone reliefs, the site’s director said.

Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra to perform at Persepolis, minister confirms

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts has said that the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra will stage a concert on Sept. 6 at Persepolis, the UNESCO World Heritage site near Shiraz, to mark the orchestra’s 100th anniversary.

‘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.

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.

Echoes of the past: gold rhyton in the form of a winged lion

TEHRAN - Drinking vessels of varied designs flourished throughout the Near East from the 1st millennium BCE well into the Islamic era.

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.

German ambassador highlights archaeology as a cultural bridge between Tehran and Berlin

TEHRAN - German Ambassador to Iran, Markus Potzel, has described archaeology as a shared language of civilizations and a powerful bridge linking Iran and Germany through science and culture.

Land subsidence threatens Achaemenid sites in southern Iran

TEHRAN - Experts have raised alarms over accelerating land subsidence near two of Iran’s most iconic archaeological sites – Naqsh-e Rostam, the necropolis of the Achaemenid kings, and Persepolis, the UNESCO-registered ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire – as unsustainable agricultural practices continue in the fertile plains of Fars province.

Hegmataneh Museum unveils golden artifacts to mark Intl. Museum Day

TEHRAN - In celebration of International Museum Day, the Hegmataneh Museum in Hamedan province has unveiled three exquisite golden artifacts, offering visitors a rare glimpse into Iran’s rich cultural heritage spanning millennia.

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.

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.

Redesign of Persepolis Museum underway

TEHRAN - The head of the Persepolis Museum has announced the initiation of a redesign project aimed at transforming the entire space of the palace attributed to Xerxes I, situated within the UNESCO-registered Persepolis, into a fully functional museum.

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.

Earthquake in Khuzestan: emergency inspection conducted at Shushtar World Heritage site

TEHRAN - Following a series of earthquakes including a 5.6-magnitude one that struck Khuzestan early Thursday morning, emergency inspections were carried out at Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

‘Glory of Ancient Persia’, an exhibition of top Iranian artifacts, opens in Urumqi

TEHRAN - The “Glory of Ancient Persia”, which is a loan exhibition of Iranian artifacts, officially opened at the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum in Urumqi on Friday.

Restoration of UNESCO-listed Ganjali Khan caravanserai in Kerman begins

TEHRAN - The restoration and revitalization of the historic Ganjali Khan caravanserai in Kerman, southern Iran, have officially commenced, marking a significant effort to preserve the UNESCO-listed site.

No land subsidence detected around tomb of Cyrus the Great, official says

TEHRAN - Mohammad Nasiri-Haqiqat, director of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Pasargadae, has assured the public that no signs of land subsidence have been detected around the tomb of Cyrus the Great.

Unveiling Elam: The Dawn of Iranian Civilization at Persepolis

SHIRAZ - The National Museum of Iran inaugurated the exhibition “Elam: The Dawn of Iranian Civilization” at the Persepolis Museum on November 6.

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.

Standards in Iran date back to Achaemenid era: expert

TEHRAN – The concept of standards has been present in Iran since ancient times, dating back to the Achaemenid era, Ali Jalali, the former secretary and board member of the Iranian Scientific Standard Association, and an official standards expert, has said.

Museum chief sheds light on showcased Achaemenid tablets recently repatriated from U.S.

TEHRAN - Jebrael Nokandeh, director of the National Museum of Iran, has provided detailed insights into the 30 recently repatriated Achaemenid tablets currently on display at the prestigious museum.