The August 2008 issue of the National Geographic has “Persia: Ancient Soul of Iran” as its cover story. I just finished reading the printed issue. The photographs as usual are fantastic. The stories are very interesting in a very non-political way and brings out the remnant traces of the glory that was Persia. If you… Continue reading Persia: Ancient Soul of Iran
Category: Iran
Shahnameh: The Great Poem That Came Out of Persia
By ROYA HAKAKIAN My earliest memories of the Shahnameh, the greatest work ever written in the Persian language, belong to my childhood in Iran. I and other girls in my elementary school recited verses of the epic poem, rounding out our chests and puffing our cheeks in our best effort to strike the pose of… Continue reading Shahnameh: The Great Poem That Came Out of Persia
A Passion for Persia, Disneyland and Dolphins
KISH, Iran — The indoor dolphin show was in full swing as Hossein Sabet walked in to a burst of applause from the 1,200 people in attendance. Clad in tight beige equestrian pants and tall black boots, he waved at the crowd and went straight to his office behind the pool. Tourists at the hotel,… Continue reading A Passion for Persia, Disneyland and Dolphins
Dead as a dodo? Why scientists fear for the future of of the Asian vulture
You have to feel sorry for vultures. For animal campaigners they are a difficult case. Other, more photogenic, slightly less sinister creatures may gain the world’s sympathy at the drop of a hat, but raising money to save the world’s most proficient scavenger is a different matter. As far as the Asian vulture is concerned,… Continue reading Dead as a dodo? Why scientists fear for the future of of the Asian vulture
2200-year-old gemstones found in Iran
Ancient priceless gemstones and jewels belonging to postdated Achaemenid era have been unearthed in Iran’s southern province of Fars. Archeologists succeeded in discovering over 20 pieces of 2,200-year-old bracelets, necklaces and earrings adorned with agate, ruby and opal in ancient graves behind Salman-e Farsi Dam in Iran’s southern city of Yarj. “The discovery of such… Continue reading 2200-year-old gemstones found in Iran
Possible Existence of a Sasanian Fire Temple in Sarab-e Mort
Archaeologists working at Sarab-Mort site in Kermanshah Province announced the news of the possible discovery of a Sasanian Fire Temple adjacent to the Parthian Manor house, reported Persian service of ISNA on Monday 21, 2008. “During this year’s [archaeological salvage] excavation, we have unearthed the religious section of the structure; it consists of a Chahar-Taqi… Continue reading Possible Existence of a Sasanian Fire Temple in Sarab-e Mort
Ancient game boards and compass discovered in southern Iran
Archaeological studies on some engravings on rocks on Khark Island have identified them as a compass and ancient game boards. The engravings are between 2000 and 3000 years old, archaeologist Reza Moradi Ghiasabadi, who conducted the recently concluded studies, told the Persian service of CHN on Saturday. The compass has been etched in rectangular form… Continue reading Ancient game boards and compass discovered in southern Iran
US Takes 3D Shots of Iran Inscriptions
TEHRAN: The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago has started taking three-dimensional pictures of Iran’s Achaemenid inscriptions. The pictures will enable people to read the various inscriptions should they be damaged in the future, press tv quoted Abdolmajid Arfaei, a prominent Iranian linguist and inscriptions expert, as saying. There are thousands of inscriptions 5000… Continue reading US Takes 3D Shots of Iran Inscriptions
Iran to depict Shahnameh in miniatures
Renowned Iranian miniaturists are to portray parts of the stories told by the prominent poet Ferdowsi in his magnum opus, Shahnameh. Some 25 artists will take part in the project including prominent painters Mahmoud Farshchian and Majid Mehregan. The miniaturists will undertake the project on the sidelines of the International Conference of Painting Shahnameh, which… Continue reading Iran to depict Shahnameh in miniatures
