Ancient rock-cut grain stores highlight tourism potential of Ilam village

TEHRAN - An Iranian village in Ilam province is drawing attention for a series of rock-cut grain storage structures believed to be up to 800 years old

Dossiers of Ilam’s 3 natural sites under preparation for national registration

TEHRAN--Three significant natural dossiers of Ilam province are being prepared and completed with the aim of being registered in the National Heritage List, said Head of Ilam Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department Farzad Sharifi.

Ilam scholar mentions ancient cities, monuments eligible for UNESCO registration

By Katayoon Dashti

Habibollah Mahmoudian, PhD, is a specialist in prehistoric archaeology and a faculty member of the Islamic Azad University, Ilam Province. He has also published over 100 books as well as 200 articles in domestic and international publications. In an interview with the Tehran Times, Mahmoudian elaborated on his achievements, the western province’s history, tourism, ancient cities, and monuments that are eligible for registration on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Iran’s Ilam, Iraq’s Karbala discuss joint tourism exhibition

TEHRAN - Iranian and Iraqi officials have reached an initial agreement to hold a joint handicrafts and tourism exhibition in Iraq, Ilam’s cultural heritage chief said, following talks between provincial authorities.

Ilam to hold three-day tour for Iraqi tourists

TEHRAN-- Inviting a group of Iraqi tourists and media activists to attend the three-day tour of Ilam is part of the province's tourism diplomacy programs, which are held with the aim of introducing local capacities, said head of Ilam Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Department on Saturday.

Ilami artisans participate in handicraft exhibition in Iraq

TEHRAN--Ilami artisans have recently participated in a handicraft exhibition in the Iraqi city of Kut, Wasit province, said Head of Ilam Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department Farzad Sharifi.

Cultural and civilizational developments of Iron Age in Western Iran

TEHRAN--The Iron Age in Iran is not just a historical period; it is the narrative of thousands of years of life, migration, and art that has been left in cemeteries and ancient sites from Zagros to the north of the country and has been revived today through scientific explorations.

Traces of Bronze to Iron Age settlements in the Ilam plain

TEHRAN—The ancient site of Bakheh Nam in southern part of Ilam plain pertains to the Bronze to Iron Age settlements given the surface evidence, Habibollah Mahmoudian, a specialist in prehistoric archaeology, has said.

22 tourism units in Ilam receive standard quality certificate

TEHRAN—Head of Ilam Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Department Farzad Sharifi said that 37 tourism units in the province have entered the standardization cycle, 22 of these units succeeded in receiving a certificate of tourism service quality.

Holeylan Valley, historical passage of tool-making humans from 100,000 years ago

TEHRAN-Archaeological studies show that tool-making humans lived in the Holeylan Valley in Ilam province for about 100,000 years and after going through the initial stages, have achieved irrigated agriculture and livestock domestication.

Ilam Handicrafts Exhibition begins in Iraq’s Wasit province

TEHRAN— Ilam Handicrafts Exhibition began in the Iraqi province of Wasit on Friday, with the participation of 15 Iranian artists and producers in this field.

268 tourism projects worth $130 million inaugurated across Iran

TEHRAN— A total of 268 tourism projects were inaugurated simultaneously via video conference by Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Reza Salehi-Amiri on Wednesday.

Mehran plain is home to key prehistoric sites, archaeologist says

TEHRAN – The Mehran plain, situated west of the Zagros Mountains, is home to important archaeological hubs with evidence of human settlement dating back to prehistoric times, an archaeologist said on Monday.

Baba Shams hill links history, nature, and agriculture in Ilam

TEHRAN – Scattered pottery fragments, historic aqueducts, and the proximity of the Karzan River point to ancient settlements at Baba Shams hill, located on the western edge of a village of the same name, according to Habibollah Mahmoudian, a specialist in prehistoric archaeology.

Iran, Iraq to improve ties through tourism roadshow

TEHRAN— Iran-Iraq ties in cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts fields are improving in spite of regional and international crises, Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri has said.

Gartak ancient site, a hidden treasure of Ilam history

TEHRAN—The Gartak ancient site in Sirvan county, Ilam province, holds the secrets of the lives of ancient people and is a hidden treasure of the history of Ilam, Habibollah Mahmoudian, a specialist in prehistoric archaeology, has said.

Ilam’s Chogha Golan, the oldest agricultural origin in West Asia

TEHRAN—Chogha Golan region in Mehran county, Ilam province, is the oldest cradle of agriculture across Iran and West Asia, Habibollah Mahmoudian, a specialist in prehistoric archaeology, has said.

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.

Ilam, land of old treasures

TEHRAN—Ilam province, with a civilization history of 11,000 years old, is land of endless treasures of culture and art.

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.

Journalists visit Ilam on fam tour

TEHRAN- A group of Iranian tourism journalists visited attractions of the western Iranian province of Ilam on a familiarization tour, the province’s tourism chief has said. 

Chogha Golan: archaeologists shed new light on origins of village life in central Zagros region

TEHRAN - Chogha Golan, a Neolithic archaeological site located in the foothills of the Zagros Mountains in Ilam province, has yielded significant findings during the second season of excavations.

Iranian air defense 'intercepts, counters' Israeli attack

TEHRAN - Iran’s air defense force has confirmed Israeli attacks targeting positions in Tehran, Khuzestan and Ilam provinces, saying the aggression was successfully thwarted.

Ilam province sees 60% increase in Iraqi tourists’ overnight stays

TEHRAN - The number of Iraqi travelers making overnight stays in official accommodations in Ilam province has seen a 60% year-on-year increase during the first six months of the year, according to the province’s tourism chief.

 Ancient clay canteen discovered in western Iran

TEHRAN - A local hiker has accidentally discovered a clay canteen believed to date back to the Parthian era during an outing on the heights of Darreh Shahr, a historically significant city in Ilam province, western Iran.

Ilam launches handicraft training for conscripts

TEHRAN – Ilam province, situated in western Iran, offers handicraft training to conscripts, enhancing their post-service employment opportunities.

Sheikh Makan castle set for restoration

TEHRAN - The ruins of Sheikh Makan castle, located six kilometers southeast of Darreh Shahr, Ilam, are slated to undergo restoration.