DECLINE AND FALL OF THE SASANIAN EMPIRE
The Sasanian-Parthian Confederacy and the Arab Conquest of Iran

Parvaneh Pourshariati

Khaterat - Good old days

The Iranian History Chronicle

Is there a connection between Iran & Ireland?

Irandokht

Figure 6. Loulan Beauty: the Mummy on display in Urumqi whose features suggest a people who came from the west, Iran (NY Times Nov. 19, 2008)

Iranian living in Himalaya

BBC

First Olympics Medal for Iran

Troglodyte village in Iran, 700 years old

Achaemenid palaces found in south Iran

An ancient column pedestal in Ramhormoz

Iranian archeologists have unearthed two 2,500 -year-old palaces and 18 columns belonging to the Achaemenid era in southern Iran. The discoveries were made in the ancient city of Ramhormoz in Khuzestan Province, according to Iranian cultural heritage activists and archeologists.

The archeologist restored five of the eighteen columns. The other columns were destroyed during a road construction project in the region. Such discoveries strengthen the theory that the site was a part of the ancient Shahi Road. Shahi Road was the main road connecting Persepolis to Apadana Palace in ancient Susa in Khuzestan Province.

Once known as the richest city under the sun, Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire, one of the greatest powers of the ancient world. Darius established Persepolis in 519 BCE as the most magnificent of the four Achaemenid capitals -- Susa, Ecbatana, Persepolis and Babylon -- which were established in logistically important locations to help Achaemenid kings efficiently administer their vast empire.

Susa, located in Iran's southern province of Khuzistan, was the capital of Elam and the Achaemenid King Darius I. One of the world's oldest-known settlements was possibly founded around 4200 BCE; however, the first traces of an inhabited village date back to around 7000 BCE.

According to economic policies of Darius the Great, Shahi Road was constructed at length of 2,500 kilometers to connect the two capitals of ancient Persia, Susa and Persepolis. More than a hundred palaces and caravanserai (roadside inns) were built across the road to support the flow of commerce and information. Their strategic use in war times were the main goal to build the road and the settlements. The remains of columns were transferred to Ramhormoz Cultural Heritage Office.

NAT/DT

Rare burial ritual identified in Iran's Sialk

Sialk is a large ancient structure in Kashan, Iran

http://www.kavehfarrokh.com/news/9000-yr-old-mysterious-burial-ritual-discovered-in-iran/

Archeologists have discovered a mysterious burial ritual performed 9,000 years ago in Iran's Sialk Mound located in the center of the country. Iranian and Polish archeologists' investigations have revealed a specific burial ritual in Sialk Mound.

“In this 9,000-year-old practice, four bodies were burned at a heat of 400 to 700 degrees. The ash and remains of the bodies were then buried in a jar,” said Hassan Fazeli, the director of Iran's Archeology Research Center. “Traces of red petals were found in the jar. Archeologists believe red flowers signified life and eternity in ancient Persia,” he added. “A burial ritual encompassing burning has never been observed in Iran,” he claimed. “It makes the rare discovery of great importance.”

Another body was found next to the foundation of a wall. Archeologists from Iran, Germany, Britain, Italy and France have been studying the northern mound of Sialk since last week. The Sialk Mound, located in the city of Kashan, is believed to be the origin of human technology, industry and religious thought in Iran. NAT/JG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=betv0JkKNTU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9djjKuwyhYc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEtF4JEOiAc&feature=related