Lion head terminal, Iron Age II, 9th century B.C. Northwestern Iran; Excavated at Hasanlu Bronze

This powerful snarling lion has a slightly protruding tongue. The animal's muzzle is wrinkled and solid spheres form the eyes. The object is one of a pair (its partner is in Tehran). It is cast solid in the form of a lion's head, with a hollow cylindrical neck with four openings near the base and a solid tang below. When excavated, no other object or material was found near the pair to give a clue to their function, although they may have been placed on an article of furniture, perhaps at the top of the uprights of a chair.

Maps

• World, 1000 B.C.–1 A.D.
• West Asia, 1000 B.C.–1 A.D.

Timelines

• Iran, 1000 B.C.–1 A.D.

Thematic Essays

• Hasanlu in the Iron Age

Works of Art by Collection

• Ancient Near Eastern Art

Index Terms

ART MOVEMENT/STYLE

• Iron Age in the Ancient Near East

MATERIAL AND TECHNIQUE

• Bronze
• Bronze from West Asia

OBJECT

• Adornment for Furniture
• Finial

SUBJECT MATTER/THEME

• Archaeology
• Archaeology from Asia
• Feline
• Trade (1000 B.C.–1 A.D.)

TECHNICAL GLOSSARY

• Bronze

Cup with a frieze of gazelles; ca. early 1st millennium B.C. Geography: Northwestern Iran

A number of vessels similar in form and technique to this one have been excavated in the rich burials at Marlik, a site southwest of the Caspian Sea in northern Iran; one is also known from Susa, in southwestern Iran. On the body of the cup, four gazelles, framed horizontally by guilloche bands, walk in procession to the left. Their bodies are rendered in the repoussé technique and are detailed with finely chased lines to indicate hair and musculature. The projecting heads were made separately, as were the ears and horns, and were fastened invisibly in place by a colloid hard-soldering, a process much practiced in Iran involving glue and copper salt. The hooves and eyes are indented, probably to receive inlays.

Period: Iron Age II Date: ca. early 1st millennium B.C. Geography: Northwestern Iran, Caspian region Medium: Gold Dimensions: H. 2 1/2 in. (6.5 cm) Classification: Metalwork Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1962 Accession Number: 62.84

Kneeling bull holding a spouted vessel, 3100–2900 B.C.; Proto-Elamite period Southwestern Iran

Soon after the political transformations of the Uruk period in southern Mesopotamia, similar innovations—including writing and cylinder seals, the mass production of standardized ceramics, and a figural art style—developed around the city of Susa in southwestern Iran, an area in which the predominant language was Elamite. While most of these innovations were adapted from Mesopotamian examples, they took on distinctive Elamite characteristics in Iran. This small silver bull, clothed in a garment decorated with a stepped pattern and holding a spouted vessel, shows a curious blend of human and animal traits. The large neck meets distinctly human shoulders, which taper into arms that end in hooves. Representations of animals in human postures were common in Proto-Elamite art, possibly as symbols of natural forces but just as likely as protagonists in myths or fables. The function of this small masterpiece remains uncertain. Traces of cloth found affixed to the figure suggest that it was intentionally buried, perhaps as part of a ritual or ceremony.
 What Metal (59,364) Vessels (21,921) Metalwork (14,716) Gold (12,457) Drinking vessels (6,032) Cups (3,861) Friezes (184)
Where Asia (68,071) Iran (7,061)
When 1000 B.C.-A.D. 1 (23,148) In the Museum Ancient Near Eastern Art (6,170) Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History Iran, 1000 B.C.–1 A.D. MetPublications

Plate with a hunting scene from the tale of Bahram Gur and Azadeh, The Sasanian Empire (224 B.C.–651 A.D.) period

The great Iranian epic the Shahnama, or Book of Kings, as recorded by Firdausi in the late tenth to early eleventh century, includes a tale of the Sasanian king Bahram V (r. 420–38), who was challenged to feats of archery by his favorite lyre player, Azadeh. With great skill, Bahram "Gur" (Wild Ass) shot an arrow that removed the horns of a male gazelle, transforming his appearance into that of a female, and shot two arrows into the head of a female gazelle, transforming her appearance into that of a male. The story became a favorite theme in the arts of Islam but was unknown on works of Sasanian date until the appearance of this gilt-silver plate.

 New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Plate with king hunting rams, The Sasanian Empire (224 B.C.–651 A.D.) period Iran

The king as hunter becomes a standard motif on royal Sasanian silver plates during the reign of Shapur II (309–79). The theme symbolized the invincibility and the prowess of Sasanian rulers and dominated the royal plates, which may have been used as gifts to neighboring courts. The king has various royal attributes: a crown and fillet, covered globe, nimbus with beaded border, and beaded chest halter with fluttering ribbons. The identity of the Sasanian king on this plate is uncertain. His crown identifies him as either Peroz (r. 459–84) or Kavad I (r. 488–97, 499–531). Sasanian silver bowls and plates were usually hammered into shape and then decorated in various complex techniques. On this plate, separate pieces of silver were inserted into lips cut up from the plate to provide high relief. The plate was then gilded using an amalgam of mercury and gold, which could be painted onto the surface, and niello—a metallic alloy of sulfur and silver—was inlaid. The result was an object of varied surface contours and colors.

 New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Faceted Bowl, 5th–7th century; Sasanian Iran, Glass, blown and wheel-cut

This hemispherical bowl may have been made by blowing molten glass into an open mold (though possibly it was free-blown); subsequently, four rows of oblong-to-round facets were wheel-cut and polished. The thick glass, originally pale green, has lost much of its surface color and gained extensive iridescence through weathering. Faceted bowls such as this one are characterized by uniformity of shape, size, and arrangement of the facets in four or five rows. They represent the most widespread type of late Sasanian glass vessel, found in excavations of Mesopotamian and Iranian sites dating from the fifth to seventh century A.D. Some examples—probably carried along the Silk Road to the Far East by Persian merchants and traveling embassies—have been found in Japanese contexts, namely in the sixth-century tomb of the emperor Ankan and in the Shoso-in Treasure at Nara, which was assembled by the emperor Shomu in the eighth century.

 New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Ewer with dancing females within arcades; Sasanian style Iran, The Sasanian Empire (224 B.C.–651 A.D.)

Late Sasanian silver vessels, particularly bottles and ewers, often were decorated with female figures holding a variety of festal objects. On this silver-gilt vessel, floral arches, supported by low pilasters, frame four dancing female figures. Each holds a ceremonial object in either hand: grape and leaf branches, a vessel, a heart-shaped flower. Beneath one arcade, birds peck at fruit, and beneath another a tiny panther drinks from a ewer. Both the females and their decorative motifs recall representations of the maenads, attendants of Dionysus. However, it has been suggested that these figures have been adapted to the cult of the Iranian goddess Anahita. No texts survive to explain the appearance or function of these female figures, but it seems likely that vessels decorated with motifs such as these would have been intended to hold wine for court celebrations or religious festivals.

 New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

‪Mithraism came from Persia into Europe

‪Mithraism came from Persia into Europe, and was followed by Manichaeanism, which also came form Persia‬ ‪“…Mithraism came from Persia into Europe, and was followed by Manichaeanism, which also came form Persia … Professor [L.H.] Mills, of Oxford [early 20th c. prof. of Persian language and translator of the sacred Iranian text Avesta], says that … ‘everything which makes up the real value of our Christianity was there, in ancient Persia.’ Persia has been one of the most prolific religious centers in the world. It gave birth to Mazdeanism, Mithraism, Pharisaism, Manichaeanism, Essenianism, and the principal doctrines of Christianity. In our day it has given birth to Bahaism – a gallimaufry [hodgepodge] of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity” … Prof. Mills further writes “the Resurrection, the God-Unity, the Judgment, the Savior, Angelology, the Millenium, and Heaven and Hell were, in Persia, ‘Christianity before Christ’; that is, they are Mazdean [Iranian/Aryan, not Semitic] doctrines.” ~ excerpt from “Illuminate of Gorlitz Or [early 17th c. German mystic & original thinker in Lutheran tradition] Jakob Bohme's Life & Philosophy” (1923) by early 20th c. American philosopher and convert to Buddhism, Herman Vetterling [pic The Met: Zoroaster’s “the Gathas” (1700-1500 BCE) tells us that Ahura Mazda, the Wise Lord, “placed the seeds in the bodies of the Man and the Bull so that there would be abundant progeny for men and cattle” … in that regard, the pic here is a pair of gold earnings in the shape of bulls’ heads from N.W. Iran dated to early 1st millennium BCE … for educational purposes only]

‪The Jiroft Game Boards (World’s Oldest Backgammons)

‪The Jiroft Game Boards (World’s Oldest Backgammons) قدیمی ترین تخته نرد های جهان در جیرفت

 As archeologist Jean Perrot noted in the Persian Journal article, the lay-out of the "holes" on the "eagle" game boards is highly suggestive of the twenty squares game boards excavated by Woolley in Sumer, the so-called "Royal Game of Ur." The lay-out of the "holes" on the "eagle" boards is also identical to the lay-out of some twenty squares boards used in ancient Egypt, where the game, known as "Aseb," was sometimes put on the other side of case-style Senet boards. Nine Ancient Game Board Identified Among Jiroft Relics Nine ancient game boards have been identified among the items taken back from illegal excavators of the historical site of Jiroft, Halil Rud area of Kerman, indicating that people of the area enjoyed playing games some five thousand years ago. Five of these game boards look like eagles, one looks like a scorpion with human head, one looks like a Scorpion, one looks like a long board with an extra square part attached to the handle and the other is a flat board, and all have 12 or 18 holes with similar sizes. According to head of the archeology team of Jiroft, Yusef Majidzadeh, the holes in the boards, which mostly count to 16 or 20 and their similarity in size indicating that they were most probably used as games by the ancient residents of the area. It is not yet sure how the boards were exactly used, Majidzadeh told CHN, however, the equal numbers of the holes and the holes all being in one size show that they were games most probably played with some sort of beads. Jean Perrot, a world-known archaeologist and a retired expert of Louvre Museum who has also studied the boards told CHN that boards similar to these, plus some beads, have previously been discovered in the historical sites of Mesopotamia, and their form and structure shows that ancient people used them as games to entertain themselves. The boards are right now kept in the archeology museum of Jiroft and Iranian and foreign experts are studying them further to find out how they were played.‬

‪Persian Zodiac - Scorpio

This image come form an egyptian manuscript from the 14th/15th centuries. It reproduces a persian astrological treatise from ~9th century - 'Kitâb al-Mawalid' - by Abû Ma'shar, said to have been the most influential document in the development of western astrology. Although produced in Cairo, the manuscript illustrations were almost certainly by a persian artist.‬

‪Persian Zodiac - Taurus

This image come form an egyptian manuscript from the 14th/15th centuries. It reproduces a persian astrological treatise from ~9th century - 'Kitâb al-Mawalid' - by Abû Ma'shar, said to have been the most influential document in the development of western astrology. Although produced in Cairo, the manuscript illustrations were almost certainly by a persian artist.‬

‪Mask with Earrings CIRCA: 1st Millennium B.C.

This striking, museum-quality mask represents a superlative example of the Luristan bronzeworker’s craft. Examples of this size and condition are exceptionally rare. Cast with exceptional attention to detail, the oval face has a rounded chin, commanding, pointed nose, and cut-away almond-shaped eyes with well defined lids and bowed eyebrows that meet the bridge of the nose. The small, slightly recessed mouth lends the face a serene, impassive expression. The focuses of the viewer’s attention, however, are the six silver earrings which adorn each ear, attached through circular piercings. They indicate that the mask represents a high-status individual; given that the reverse is hollow, it may have been intended to be worn, either during elaborate rituals or as a funerary mask.‬

‪An Achaemenid Silver Rhyton in the Form of a Buck Protome

‪An Achaemenid Silver Rhyton in the Form of a Buck Protome Silver and silver gilt, Late 5th-early 4th century B.C.E., allegedly from the Black Sea Region In view of the vessel's length, it was back raised from about the middle. The vessel was then filled with either bitumen/pitch or with a mixture of powdered sulphur rock and fine sand, heated to render fluid. Once hardened the fluting was then hammered in or impressed from the outside. The mouth of the vessel is then hammered and annealed to shape and the lotus frieze is outlined by "tracing", the surface within the contours lightly grooved and thin gold sheet applied and burnished into place. The protome formed as the vessel and in keeping with its sophistication worked extensively and elaborately by the repoussé method from both sides. The ears and antlers shaped separately by cutting and hammering, the former inserted by means of a dowel, the latter, it would appear, by a sort of plate held in place by three dowels. The various thin gold sheet elements executed as the lotus frieze. The inlays for the rosettes, the legs and hooves would appear to be of electrum. A round hole in the centre of the muzzle to enable passage of the liquid through a spout.‬

Ancient Wind Power Designs

Wind for Cooling and Heating: Ancient Persian Wind Towers Persia is also the original home of one of the most complex passive ventilation and cooling systems that has ever existed – 2,000-year-old engineering that rival modern hi-tech equivalents with the simple and elegant effectiveness of their design. Using a combination of air pressure differentials, structural orientation and running water these windcatcher structures help regulate temperatures in the harshest of desert environments with cool nights and burning hot days.‬

‪The circular city of Darabgird

Aerial view of Darabgird, a circular city located in southern Iran, 9km south-west of modern-day Darab. It was thought to have flourished in the Sasanian period of the third to seventh centuries AD. The main structure of the city consists of the following elements: • circular fortifications comprising a rampart, ditch and other related features; • route systems, consisting of four gates and four main streets; • residential zones, the four areas are enclosed by the four main streets; • a government citadel, located on high ground at the centre of the city; • an irrigation network (an artificial channel has been located).‬

‪Manticore

The manticore is a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the face of a human. It has three rows of sharp teeth, like a shark, and a tail with poisonous spiked barbs that it can throw like javelins at its enemies. The mythology behind this strange creature began in Persia, where it was first known as the Martyaxwar which literally translates to “man-eater”. As the legend moved west, the name shifted to a more Greek pronunciation, and this creature became most famously known in Greek mythology as “Manticore”. Though it had the head of a human, it was considerably more monster than man. It could not speak any languages, and had a voice that was described as sounding like a trumpet. That’s not to say the manticore wasn’t clever. It’s favorite way to lure prey was to hide its red lion body in the tall grass so from a distance humans would see only the head of a man. Those who were fooled into coming too close were never seen again. And I mean never. In Greek mythology this beast would devour a human whole, including all of their clothes and all of their possessions, leaving nothing left for family or friends to find. Often people who had gone missing were assumed to have been eaten by one of these rarely seen monsters.‬

‪Jewel-Studded Globe of Iran

The jewel-studded globe stands 110 cm high and has a diameter of 45 cm. and is covered with over 51 thousand precious gemstones. The seas and oceans are shown with emeralds. Land masses are mostly displayed in rubies and spinels. Iran, Britain, France, and parts of South Asia are shown in diamonds. Approximately 35 kilograms of pure gold is used in the globe. According to legend, Nasseridin Shah (1848-1896) ordered the construction of the globe to help keep track of the loose gemstones in the treasury. The largest ruby used in the globe is approximately 75 ct. The largest spinel is approximately 110 cts. The largest emerald is approximately 175 cts., the largest sapphire is approximately 34 cts, and the largest diamond is approximately 15 cts.‬

‪Achaemenian golden vessel

The founding dynasty of the Persian empire a little more than 2500 years ago - were renowned for their highly skilled craftmanship.‬

‪Oxus chariot model - Achaemenid Persian, 5th-4th century BC

The Oxus Treasure is the most important surviving collection of gold and silver to have survived from the Achaemenid period. The model chariot is pulled by four horses or ponies. In it are two figures wearing Median dress. The Medes were from Iran, the centre of the Achaemenid empire. The front of the chariot is decorated with the Egyptian dwarf-god Bes, a popular protective deity. The chariot can be compared with that shown being ridden by the Persian king Darius on a cylinder seal also in the British Museum. A second fragmentary gold chariot now in the British Museum was acquired by the Earl of Lytton, the Viceroy of India, about the same time that the Oxus treasure was discovered and is thought to have come from the same source.‬

‪Sheikh Bahai Public Bath

The Sheikh Bahai Public Bath is located in Isfahan in a small street named after him which leads northwest off of the southern section of the old bazaar close to the Masjed’e-Jomeh. The bath derives it principal fame from the story that they were heated by a single candle which never needed renewing. The English are widely credited with destroying this unlikely phenomenon. This miracle of this bath was constructed under Sheik Bahai’s skilful supervision. The special feature of the bath was that the water in it used to be lukewarm in all seasons although there was no apparent heating arrangement there. The bath was providing warm water to the bathers, even during the peak of winter seasons for some 250 years. When the English arrived there during the period of Fath Ali Shah, they were very much surprised. Trying to understand the mechanism behind the bath’s heating system, they demolished the water reservoir of the bath and found that at the bottom of the structure only a small wax candle was burning. The candle was rather larger than the ones we use on tables and the clay pipes which circulated the water became unusable many years ago. According Sheikh Bahai’s own instructions, the candle's fire would be put out once disclosed. This happened during the restoration and repair of the building and no one could make the system work again. It is believed that the reason for the constant warm water was due to the particular construction of connecting pipes from the sewage system which enabled the extraction of energy in the form of gasses such as Methane which in turn manifested themselves as heat.‬

‪The Cup of Jamshid

The Cup of Jamshid is a cup of divination which, in Persian mythology, was long possessed by the rulers of ancient Greater Iran. The cup has also been called Jam-e Jahan nama, Jam-e Jahan Ara, Jam-e Giti nama, and Jam-e Kei-khosrow. The latter refers to Kaei Husravah in the Avesta, and Sushravas in the Vedas. The Cup of Jamshid has been the subject of many Persian poems and stories. Many authors ascribed the success of the Persian Empire to the possession of this artefact. It appears extensively in Persian literature. Examples: For years my heart was in search of the Grail (Cup of Jamshid) What was inside me, it searched for, on the trail Divan of Hafez The cup ("Jām") was said to be filled with an elixir of immortality and was used in scrying. As mentioned by Ali-Akbar Dehkhoda, it was believed that one could observe all the seven heavens of the universe by looking into it. It was believed to have been discovered in Persepolis in ancient times. The whole world was said to be reflected in it, and divinations within the Cup were said to reveal deep truths. Sometimes, especially in popular depictions such as The Heroic Legend of Arslan, the cup has been visualized as a crystal ball. This Picture is a Famous Ancient Persian Cup, possibly representing the Cup of Jamshid‬

Embossed ornament

‪

Embossed ornament in the form of a lion-griffin, from the Oxus treasure Achaemenid Persian, 5th-4th century BC This embossed ornament is part of the Oxus treasure, the most important collection of silver and gold to have survived from the Achaemenid period. The treasure is from a temple and dates mainly from the fifth and fourth centuries BC. This piece, in the shape of a winged stag with a horned lion's head, is decorated with hollows for inlay. There are two long pins at the back for attachment, though it is unclear what the ornament originally decorated. This composite creature reflects the 'Animal Style' of South Russia and demonstrates the close relations between the Persians and the nomadic people of the northern steppe lands. The Persian kings had indirect access to the wealth and artistic traditions of northern Central Asia and Siberia, and some contacts are illustrated by this piece.‬

‪The Birth of Rostam (Rustam) by caesarean section

NOW the son of Zal was born, Rudabeh was sore afflicted, and neither by day nor night could she find rest. Then Zal in his trouble bethought him of the Simorgh, his nurse, and how she had given unto him a feather that he might use it in the hour of his need. And he cast the feather into the fire as she had commanded, and straightway a sound of rushing wings filled the air, and the sky was darkened and the bird of God stood before Zal. And she said unto him: "O my son, wherefore art thou troubled, and why are the eyes of this lion wet with tears?" Then he told her of his sorrow, and she bade him be of good cheer, "For verily thy nurse who shielded thee, and reared thee when thy father cast thee out, is come yet again to succour thee." And she told him how he should act, and when she had done speaking she Turned her once more towards her nest. But Zal did as she had commanded, and there was born to him a son comely of limb. And when Rudabeh beheld the babe, she smiled and said: "Verily he shall be called Rostam (which, being interpreted, meaneth delivered), for I am delivered of my pains." And all the land was glad that a son was come unto Zal the hero, and the sounds of feasting and joy were heard throughout its breadth. This picture is a scene from Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, Rudabeh gives birth to Rustam by caesarean section through her side. The man in the image is a mobed, a Zoroastrian priest, physician and surgeon (cf. magus)‬

gold silver ibex

‪Achaemenid foiled gold silver ibex, Iran Approximately 600 years BC‬

‪Hormoz Island Displays World's Largest Soil Carpet

The soil carpet covering an area of 1200 square meters is made of 70 different colors of soil, Twenty five artists from Hormozgan Province collaborated on the 10-day project that began November 29. They used the rare colorful soil of the island in making the soil carpet. Before this project, the world's largest soil carpet was made on the Canary Island and measured.‬

‪Nutrition and Yin-Yang

The concept of yin-yang is similar to the Zoroastrian concept of 'the two' as a fundamental feature of creation. While in matters of ethics - right and wrong, good and bad - Zoroastrianism guiding principles require making a choice between one or the other, in aspects of healing, health, diet and nutrition, Zoroastrianism precepts are similar to those suggested by the yin-yang discipline. In orthodox Yazdi communities, healings foods such as the aush stew are prepared with the view of maintaining or restoring the balance of 'hot' and 'cold' in the body. Foods are classified as being 'hot' and 'cold' and those who are familiar with this traditional knowledge will recommend the right kind of food to heal a person. This concept applies to herbal remedies as well. Herbs are an essential ingredient of all traditional Zoroastrian Iranian foods. A spiritual element is added when a prayer is said over the foods - a practice followed at traditional Yazdi Gahanbars (The seasonal festivals, called gahambars -meaning "proper season"-, occur six times a year.) and Jashnes(ceremonies).‬

Nature of Hormoz Island

‪ Hormoz or Hormuz island is a small island in the Persian Gulf that belongs to Persia. Hormoz Island has many attractions. It has many colorful mountains- colored earth, multicolored stones and and some salt cave. Beauty of nature, kindness of indigenous people who live in the Island can be a reason for tourists to make this their vacation spot during the winter. The climate in this Island is extremely favorable in the months during late autumn and winter.‬

Caesarean

‪In the Shahnameh , Ferdowsi mentions a mobed using a knife of blue steel to deliver the legendary Rustam by caesarean section, and his mother Rudabeh being given a healing drink of milk and plants (cf. haoma) with the dried residue placed on the stitched cut as a dressing. The verse from the Shahnameh reads: Simorgh's (the mythical giant bird) advice to Zal: "Bring a blue-steel dagger and Seek an accomplished surgeon. Calm the lady first with wine to ease her pain and fear, Then let the physician ply his craft And take the lion from its lair By piercing her waist while she is unconscious. Then to stop the bleeding, stitch up the cut. Put trouble, care, and fear aside, and Rub with milk and musk a plant that I will show you And dry them in the shade (cf. haoma). Dress and anoint Rudabeh's wound and Watch her come to life." While every one looked on amazedly With wounded spirit and with bloodshot eyes. Sindukht, the royal maid, Wept tears of blood in torrents, asking: "How can the infant come forth through the side?" There came a mobed, one deft of hand, Who made the moon-faced lady bemused with wine, Then pierced her side while she was all unconscious, And having turned the infant's head aright Delivered her enormous babe uninjured. None had seen a thing so strange. A day and night the mother lay asleep, Bemused, and unconscious. The cut on her side had been sown up And her anguish relieved by the dressing.‬

The 6000 years old kiss from Iran

‪An eternal kiss, The 6000 years old kiss! The Lovers’ from 1972 season at Hasanlu Hasanlu is an archaeological excavation site in Iran, Western Azerbaijan, Solduz Valley. Theses skeletons were found in a Bin with no objects. The only feature is a stone slab under the head of the skeleton on the left hand side.‬

‪Historical maps with reference to the Persian Gulf

Asia by Heinrich Bunting - The work uses the phrase Persicus Sinus(Persian Gulf) c. 1590 Heinrich Bunting (1545 – 1606) was a Protestant pastor and theologian. He is best known for his book of woodcut maps titled Itinerarium Sacrae Scripturae (Travel book through Holy Scripture) first published in 1581. The title of this map is Asia Secunda Pars Terrae in Forma Pegasir (‘Asia, the Second Part of the Earth, in the Form of Pegasus‘). The winged horse of Greek mythology is the son of Poseidon and Medusa, was tamed by Athena and became the horse of the Muses. This obviously pagan origin of the image makes its appearance in a Holy Land travel book a bit of a mystery. Persia is delineated by the saddle-cloth: the left foreleg curves back on itself to contain the Persian Gulf.‬

Jiroft Ziggurat

‪The Jiroft Ziggurat with an area of 16 Hectares which makes it three times bigger than the Biggest Egyptian Pyramid of Cheops (Khufu) Is North Konar Sandal a ziggurat? A ziggurat is a temple-tower commonly believed to be of the Sumerian origin. Dr. Madjidzadeh has dated this structure to 2300 BC. Two superimposed platforms are located on the mound Konar Sandal North (Madjidzadeh, 2008, pp. 88-89). The upper structure measures 250 x 250 m and the lower 400 x 400 m. While opinions are divided among scholars whether the ziggurat like structure in Jiroft is a true ziggurat with such an early dating, the accompanying picture compares the measurements of the Biggest Egyptian Pyramid of Cheops (Khufu) with an area of 52900 sq.mt. or 5.29 ha to the Jiroft Ziggurat with an area of 160000 sq.mt or 16 ha, making it three times bigger than Cheops (Khufu).‬

chamrosh

The chamrosh is a Persian bird with the body of a dog. Like it’s more famous cousin, the Simurgh (or Senmurv), the chamrosh lives at the peak of Mount Alburz, under the Haoma or Hōm tree, sometimes known as the Harvisptokhm, or “tree of all seeds.” This tree is the source of all the seeds found throughout the world. Whenever the Simurgh takes off or lands on her roost, the seeds of the tree fall to the ground, where the chamrosh gathers them for distribution. The creature uses wings and body to sweep the varied seeds into the heavenly Vourukasha Sea. From there the seeds would be taken up into clouds and rained down upon the Earth. According to the Avesta, it is also charged with the protection of Persia. Every three years, the chamrosh is sent by an angel to snatch invaders and drop them from mountaintops to protect the land. Some accounts claim that the chamrosh is the archetype of all birds, and the ruler of all avifauna. However, it is more common to see the Simurgh given this role. As the chamrosh is less well-known and bears a strong resemblance to early depictions of the larger creature, it is possible that the attributes of the two creatures is being mixed up. In more recent stories of the Simurgh, the chamrosh is completely removed, and the function of distributing seeds is achieved through the flapping of her wings. It is possible that she inherited the other abilities and responsibilites of the chamrosh as the mythology changed and the chamrosh faded into obscurity.‬

‪Persian Achaemenid Golden Lion

‪Persian Achaemenid Golden Lion - Approximately 500 B.C. - 23k Gold A winged Lion (or griffin) as depicted in Achaemenid arts. used as decoration on top of flag pole carried by the Persian cavallry in battle. As noted by Darius Kadivar, this image was falsely depicted as a “Roman” symbol in the blockbuster movie, Gladiator starring Russell Crowe.‬

Oramanat Takht Village-Kurdistan

‪ "Ouraman" that its pronunciation is "Houraman" in Kurdish language, is a village located 65 km. from the eastern south of "Marivan" city. It is located in a valley on steep slope overlooking the northern front of Takht Mountains. The houses are arranged such that the roof of one house is the courtyard of the other. This beautiful village has a moderate and mountainous climate and unique nature. Stair-formed architecture of village is the most interesting attraction for tourism.‬

An old Persian Earning

Late 5th to early 4th century B.C.; Achaemenid Dynasty; Gold and faience; 7.7 x 5.3 cm Many of the Persian courtiers and delegates on the reliefs of Persepolis are shown wearing elaborate earrings. This earring, probably from Susa (the southern administrative capital of the empire), is characteristic of jewelry of this period. When in motion, the beads tremble like a tiny chandelier and the gold surfaces brilliantly reflect the light.‬

Seated Ducks Gold

‪Achaemenid Gold Bracelet with Inlaid Termini in the Form of Seated Ducks Gold with lapis lazuli, turquoise, onyx, and rock crystal inlay, mid-6th-4th century B.C.E., W. 10.5 cm. The jeweler of this bracelet chose ducks as terminal figures and combined them with a rather heavy looking circlet that can be opened. The ducks were fashioned separately, and all the feathers and the eyes were originally characterized by inlays. The ducks' bills are not preserved. The birds are fixed to a single massive tubular circlet, which originally had colored inlays at the junction between the ducks. The use of colored inlays for the details of the feathering is a feature of Egyptianizing tendencies in Achaemenid craftsmanship. Though the "Great Kings" are known to have employed Egyptian craftsmen, the use of this technique does not necessarily imply that the jeweler was an Egyptian, because the technique was widely used on objects of truly Achaemenid style. The choice of animal is interesting as ducks are rare among the animals on Achaemenid bracelets or torques. It should be noted that this rather exceptional motif was used on no less than three bracelets now in the Shumei collection and that all of these pieces have a rather sturdy appearance, whereas Achaemenid jewelers usually preferred a much more slender concept. All these aspects add up to a highly remarkable picture that considerably widens our conception of Near Eastern jewelry. Although details like the turned-back heads of the birds or the depiction of complete animals instead of simply heads or protomes (foreparts) reflect Achaemenid conventions, the rather naturalistic articulation and coloration of the feathering is definitely not in keeping with the ornamental standards of Achaemenid art. Exceptions are always possible, but it should be noted that the idea of parting the bracelet vertically between the sitting birds is reminiscent of second-century B.C. Hellenistic bracelets fashioned in truly Greek style. This piece may suggest that the Hellenistic concept could have been derived from much older Achaemenid prototypes, but it seems not entirely impossible that this and the following bracelet actually belong to a group of Achaemenizing objects that draw heavily on Achaemenid conventions but were manufactured after the breakdown of the Achaemenid Empire.‬

‪Bronze Ibex

‪Bronze Ibex from Achaemenid Dynasty (550-330 BCE) This design of an ibex is so stunning and for me is reminiscent of animal worship throughout the ancient world. The ibex is widely present in archeological records. Particularly in the Near East and Mediterranean regions.‬

Persian mother goddess, Anahita

This day is sacred to the ancient Persian mother goddess, Anahita. She was the goddess of all the waters...rivers, streams, lakes, and the sea, as well as the life-giving fluids of mankind, such as semen and mother's milk. Rivers and lakes were sacred to her, as they were thought to be the waters of birth. She is depicted as a beautiful young woman with full breasts. She is dressed in golden robes complete with jewels and a halo crown. One of the earliest of the great mothers, Her titles include Golden Mother and Immaculate One. Anahita originated in Babylon, traveled throughout Asia Minor, Egypt, and India. She was identified with the planet Venus and was possibly descended from Ishtar, the chief goddess of the region in the pre-lndo-European era. Anahita was also the patroness of women and the goddess of war who rides in a chariot drawn by four white horses. Along with Mithra and Verethragna, She lost much of Her power during Zoroastrian period but She did not completely disappear. May Ahura Mazda be rejoiced!.... Ashem Vohu: Holiness is the best of all good.... I confess myself a worshipper of Mazda, a follower of Zarathushtra, one who hates the Daevas and obeys the laws of Ahura; For sacrifice, prayer, propitiation, and glorification unto [Hawan], the holy and master of holiness.... Unto the good Waters, made by Mazda; unto the holy water-spring ARDVI ANAHITA; unto all waters, made by Mazda; unto all plants, made by Mazda, Be propitiation, with sacrifice, prayer, propitiation, and glorification. Yatha ahu vairyo: The will of the Lord is the law of holiness....

‪Ovan lake

Ovan lake (also known as Evan lake) is a small alpine lake in Alamut region of Arburz range, in Qazvin province of Iran. The only tributary that flows into the lake, is a stream with the same name, Ovan, coming down from northern mounts. The north of the lake is also surrounded by three small villages, namely from east to west: Varbon, Ovan and Zar-abaad.‬

This is a picture of Simurgh, Sassanian Royal Symbol‬

‪Simurgh - pt.1 aka: simorgh, simurg, simoorg, simourv, Angha Simurg is the modern Persian name for a benevolent, mythical flying creature. The simurgh is depicted in Iranian art as a winged creature in the shape of a bird, gigantic enough to carry off an elephant or a whale. It appears as a kind of peacock with the head of a dog and the claws of a lion; sometimes however also with a human face. The simurgh is inherently benevolent and unambiguously female. Being part mammal, she suckles her young. It has an enmity towards snakes and its natural habitat is a place with plenty of water. Its feathers are said to be the colour of copper, and though it was originally described as being a Dog-Bird, later it was shown with either the head of a man or a dog The figure can be found in all periods of Greater Iranian art and literature. the Byzantine empire, and other regions that were within the sphere of Persian cultural influence. The mythical bird is also found in the mythology of the Turkic peoples of Central Asia and is called Kerkés, Semrug, Semurg, Samran and Samruk. The name simurgh derives from Middle Persian Pahlavi sēnmurw (and earlier sēnmuruγ), also attested in Middle Persian Pāzand as sīna-mrū. The Middle Persian term derives in turn from Avestan mərəγō Saēnō "the bird Saēna", originally a raptor, likely an eagle, falcon or sparrowhawk, as can be deduced from the etymological cognate Sanskrit śyenaḥ "raptor, eagle, bird of prey" that also appears as a divine figure. Saēna is also a personal name which is root of the name. This is a picture of Simurgh, Sassanian Royal Symbol‬

Persian Gulf

‪Historical maps with reference to the Persian Gulf - (n.18) Map of Asia by Jan Huygen Van Linschoten - The work uses the phrase Persicus Sinus(Persian Gulf) c. 1596 Jan Huyghen van Linschoten (1563 – 8 February 1611) was a Dutch Protestant merchant, traveller and historian. An alternative spelling of his second name is Huijgen. He is credited with publishing important information about Asian trade, such as the navigational routes that enabled the passage to the elusive East Indies to be opened to the English and the Dutch. This enabled the British East India Company and the Dutch East India Company to break the 16th century monopoly enjoyed by the Portuguese on trade with the East Indies.‬

‪Simurgh

‪Simurgh - pt.2
 "Si-", the first element in the name, has been connected in folk etymology to Modern Persian si "thirty". Although this prefix is not historically related to the origin of the name simurgh, "thirty" has nonetheless been the basis for legends incorporating that number, for instance, that the simurgh was as large as thirty birds or had thirty colours. Iranian legends consider the bird so old that it had seen the destruction of the World three times over. The simurgh learned so much by living so long that it is thought to possess the knowledge of all the Ages. In one legend, the simurgh was said to live 1,700 years before plunging itself into flames (much like the phoenix). The simurgh was considered to purify the land and waters and hence bestow fertility. The creature represented the union between the earth and the sky, serving as mediator and messenger between the two. The simurgh roosted in Gaokerena, the Hōm (Avestan: Haoma) Tree of Life, which stands in the middle of the world sea Vourukhasa. The plant is potent medicine, is called all-healing, and the seeds of all plants are deposited on it. When the simurgh took flight, the leaves of the tree of life shook making all the seeds of every plant to fall out. These seeds floated around the world on the winds of Vayu-Vata and the rains of Tishtrya, in cosmology taking root to become every type of plant that ever lived, and curing all the illnesses of mankind.‬

شهبانو فرح پهلوی پهلوی در کنار گلشیفته فراهانی

نمایش قدیمی‌ترین مجسمه جهان

قدیمی‌ترین مجسمه جهان مجسمه جهان با قدمت 27 هزار سال که شمایل یک زن است، در محوطه تاریخی «دلنی وستونیس» در منطقه «موراویا» در جمهوری چک کشف شد و اکنون در قالب نمایشگاهی تحت عنوان «هنر عصر یخبندان: ورود به ذهن انسان مدرن» در معرض دید علاقه‌مندان قرار گرفته است.