عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Culture

US Returns to Iran Latest Batch of Ancient Clay Tablets

Achaemenid-era clay tablets returned from the United States and on display at Iran's National Museum in Tehran on October 2, 2019 - AFP
Achaemenid-era clay tablets returned from the United States and on display at Iran's National Museum in Tehran on October 2, 2019 - AFP
TT
TT

US Returns to Iran Latest Batch of Ancient Clay Tablets

Achaemenid-era clay tablets returned from the United States and on display at Iran's National Museum in Tehran on October 2, 2019 - AFP
Achaemenid-era clay tablets returned from the United States and on display at Iran's National Museum in Tehran on October 2, 2019 - AFP

The United States has returned to Iran more than 1,000 clay tablets dating from the Achaemenid-era, official media said, reporting the sixth such handover of its kind.

Iran's official IRNA news agency said Thursday evening that the tablets, 1,100 in all, were returned with President Masoud Pezeshkian who had attended the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Found at the ruins of Persepolis, the capital of the Persian Achaemenid Empire which ruled from the 6th to 4th centuries BC in southern Iran, the repatriated tablets reflect how the ancient society was organised and its economy managed.

According to AFP, the tablets constitute records of "the rituals and the way of life of our ancestors", said Ali Darabi, vice-minister of cultural heritage, cited by IRNA.

The tablets were returned to Iran by the University of Chicago's Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, West Asia & North Africa, formerly known as the Oriental Institute.

A large portion of the tablets were returned in three batches between 1948 and 2004 before the rest were blocked by legal action until 2018.

More than 3,500 tablets were repatriated in September, 2023.

"The American side undertook to return the rest," Darabi said, cited by Iran's ISNA news agency.

Most Viewed

 
 
Culture

Saudi Heritage Commission Wins 2025 New York Product Design Award

Saudi Heritage Commission Wins 2025 New York Product Design Award
TT
TT

Saudi Heritage Commission Wins 2025 New York Product Design Award

Saudi Heritage Commission Wins 2025 New York Product Design Award

Saudi Arabia's Heritage Commission achieved a new international milestone after winning the Silver Category at the 2025 New York Product Design Awards for its creative work, Al-Qaayed Craft Mural, one of the most prominent products of the Artisans House in Jazan Region.

This recognition coincides with the Year of Handicrafts 2025, launched by the Kingdom to strengthen the presence of traditional crafts and highlight their cultural and economic value. The award reflects the commission’s ability to present Saudi handicrafts in contemporary forms that keep pace with innovation while showcasing the richness of national identity, SPA reported.

With this achievement, the Heritage Commission has raised its total award count this year to six, including five international honors and one regional distinction, bringing its overall accolades since establishment to 13 across the fields of heritage, handicrafts, and design.

The commission emphasized that this international recognition embodies its ongoing commitment to preserving and developing handicrafts within the framework of the Year of Handicrafts 2025.

It also highlights the integration of efforts by its specialized teams and its effective local and international partnerships to support male and female artisans and enable their products to reach global creative platforms, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

Culture

Saudi National Museum Celebrates World Arabic Language Day with Focus on Heritage, Crafts

The Saudi National Museum is organizing a cultural program to celebrate World Arabic Language Day 2025, which is observed annually on December 18
The Saudi National Museum is organizing a cultural program to celebrate World Arabic Language Day 2025, which is observed annually on December 18
TT
TT

Saudi National Museum Celebrates World Arabic Language Day with Focus on Heritage, Crafts

The Saudi National Museum is organizing a cultural program to celebrate World Arabic Language Day 2025, which is observed annually on December 18
The Saudi National Museum is organizing a cultural program to celebrate World Arabic Language Day 2025, which is observed annually on December 18

Saudi Arabia’s National Museum is organizing a cultural program to celebrate World Arabic Language Day 2025, which is observed annually on December 18.

The program will run over three days, offering visitors a unique experience that combines heritage, arts, and the Arabic language.

The celebration will feature a series of cultural and intellectual dialogues exploring the human and cultural dimensions of the Arabic language.

A key highlight is a session titled "the aesthetics of language in Saudi folk songs," which will examine the relationship between traditional folk songs and highlight the role of language in preserving cultural heritage, connecting tools and crafts to the living heritage of Saudi societies.

The program also offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore literary and cultural works through a book signing session with a conversational style, allowing direct interaction with authors and the exploration of the aesthetics of Arabic in their texts.

The program will conclude its activities with a series of workshops, interactive activities, and artistic performances that reflect the richness and diversity of traditional crafts and arts, providing visitors with an exceptional cultural experience that blends discovery, knowledge, and celebration of living heritage.

Culture

Saudi Culture Ministry Signs Partnership with ESSEC Business School for Riyadh University of Arts

The signing ceremony was held at Fenaa Alawwal, a leading cultural hub in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter. SPA
The signing ceremony was held at Fenaa Alawwal, a leading cultural hub in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter. SPA
TT
TT

Saudi Culture Ministry Signs Partnership with ESSEC Business School for Riyadh University of Arts

The signing ceremony was held at Fenaa Alawwal, a leading cultural hub in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter. SPA
The signing ceremony was held at Fenaa Alawwal, a leading cultural hub in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter. SPA

The Saudi Ministry of Culture signed on Sunday a partnership with ESSEC Business School, for Riyadh University of Arts (RUA)’s College of Cultural Management, to nurture creative talent and foster cross-cultural exchange, according to a statement issued by the ministry

The signing ceremony was held at Fenaa Alawwal, a leading cultural hub in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter. Deputy Minister for National Partnerships and Talent Development at the Culture Ministry Noha Kattan signed for Riyadh University of Arts, while Dean and President of the ESSEC Business School Vincenzo Vinzi signed on behalf of ESSEC Business School.

Under this partnership, ESSEC will collaborate with RUA to co-design and deliver specialized programs for the College of Cultural Management, equipping future leaders with the skills to shape the evolving cultural landscape.

Founded in 1907, ESSEC Business School is among Europe’s most prestigious institutions, recognized for its academic excellence, global reach, and commitment to innovation and ethical leadership. Its programs emphasize experiential learning and empower students to drive meaningful impact across industries.

Riyadh University of Arts will offer a progressive educational framework spanning all levels and disciplines within the arts and culture sectors, including short courses, diplomas, bachelor’s, higher diplomas, master’s, and doctoral programs.

Further details on RUA, its academic programs, and international partnerships will be available on its official website, set to launch in the first quarter of 2026.

The statement added that the partnership with ESSEC is part of a series of partnerships and MoUs between Riyadh University of Arts and top-tier international institutions, advancing academic excellence, research collaboration, and world-class cultural education.