Over 1,700 caravanserais still standing across Iran, researcher says

TEHRAN – More than 1,700 caravanserais dating from the Sassanid to the Qajar periods remain across Iran, with about 60% of them still active or capable of restoration, a university researcher said.

Pashtab castle undergoes restoration

TEHRAN—Head of East Azarbaijan Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department has announced the start of operations to secure, restore and create an access road to the ancient Pashtab Castle in Horand county, northwest Iran.

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.

‘Mother and Child’ tourism tour held in Zanjan

TEHRAN -A total of 17 historical monuments were registered on the list of valuable historical and cultural monuments of Mazandaran province, director-general of Mazandaran Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Department has said.

Historic core of Dehdasht to be restored for tourism, minister says

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri said on Thursday that the historic texture of Dehdasht in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province will be fully restored for tourism.

University of Tokyo releases digital archive of rare Taq-e Bostan photographs

TEHRAN - The University Museum of the University of Tokyo has unveiled a significant digital database featuring photographs from its 1965 archaeological expedition to Taq-e Bostan, a renowned Sasanian-era site in western Iran.

Elymaean, Sassanid artefacts seized in Yasuj

TEHRAN – A number of historical objects dating back to the Elymaean and Sassanid periods have been seized in Yasuj, the head of the Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province said on Wednesday.

Iranian scholars link Bishapur palace motif to global symbols

TEHRAN – Archaeologists in Iran say a decorative motif known as Gardoun-e Mehr (literary “Mithra Wheel”) or cross-like pattern, carved in plasterwork at an ancient royal palace of Bishapur in Fars province, influenced artistic and architectural designs across the world.

Architectural wonders of Anahita Temple in Fars province

TEHRAN--Anahita Temple of Bishapour in Fars province has minimal decorations, but the type of architecture used for the place of worship and water transfer is amazing.

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.

‘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.