Nat’l Museum of Iran puts on display 163 Achaemenid tablets
The National Museum of Iran unveiled 163 Achaemenid tablets that were returned to the country from the US last year.
The showcase took place on Saturday, with the attendance of the deputy minister of the Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts, and Tourism Organization, and several foreign ambassadors, IRNA reported.
The return of these ancient artifacts follows the repatriation of 3,506 Achaemenid tablets to Iran in September 2023.
This significant event occurred during Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi’s visit to New York, marking the end of more than 85 years since the tablets had left Iran.
According to the director of the National Museum of Iran Jebrael Nokandeh, this recent exhibition represents the fifth shipment of tablets returned to the country.
In addition to the showcase of the Achaemenid tablets, over 120 lesser-seen museum and archaeological artifacts were unveiled in 11 provinces of Iran.
This unveiling coincided with the International Museum Day (May 18) celebrations. The ceremony at the National Museum of Iran featured representatives from foreign embassies in Iran, UNESCO office members, archaeologists, and museum managers from both private and public institutions.
Seyyed Ahmad Mohit Tabatabai, the head of the National Committee of Museums (ICOM Iran), emphasized the crucial role of museums in the development of a country, adding that the presence and maintenance of museums are key indicators of a nation’s advancement.
During the event, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Ali Darabi, announced the opening of 14 online exhibitions across 11 provinces. These exhibitions feature significant artifacts, including the millennia-old Gold Bowl of Hasanlu, a significant archaeological find named after the location where it was excavated some 66 years ago from West Azarbaijan and historical coins from East Azarbaijan.
Darabi also highlighted the contributions of the media in raising public awareness and interest in cultural heritage.
Darabi mentioned that several priority projects for the current Persian year include the completion of the Jiroft Museum and ongoing restoration efforts nationwide.