Over 1,800 tourism projects are currently underway across the country with an investment worth 430 trillion rials ($4.5 billion), heralding bright prospects for the industry, said the head of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization.
During his visit to the southern province of Fars on Tuesday, Ali Asghar Mounesan emphasized that efforts are aimed at “completing over 1200 projects by the end of the current administration’s term [2021],” CHTN reported.
Focusing on the global image of the historically rich region, Mounesan noted, “With a share of 17 trillion rials ($179 million) of the total investment, Fars will enjoy 177 new facilities which will add 5600 beds to the province’s lodging capacity.”
Reportedly, Fars is already able to accommodate over 17,000 visitors. /ft/
Arghavan Shamsara : With a history of nearly over 8,000 years, Tappe Sialk prehistoric site in Iran’s central city of Kashan in Esfahan Province is believed to be the probable birthplace of the world’s oldest civilization, oldest fixed settlement, oldest architecture, oldest ziggurat, oldest pottery kilns and oldest metal furnaces.
Following climate changes at the end of the seventh millennium BC, which led to formation of grasslands, the cave dwellers of the Iranian Plateau started living in plains, among which Tappe Sialk site is probably the oldest location discovered so far.
The entire Sialk civilization is thought to have originated from the pristine large water sources nearby which still exist.
A large number of farm animal bones discovered at the site suggest that the dwellers of Sialk were meat eaters of domesticated animals.
Artifacts excavated from the site, including some very fine painted potteries, are currently on display at the Louvre, he British Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the National Museum of Iran and some others are at private collections.
The ancient site comprises two hills, nearly 600 meters apart, in the northern and southern sides. The northern mound is 25 meters high and the southern one is six meters high.
The file photo shows a reconstructed pictorial view of the Tappe Sialk prehistoric site in central Iranian city of Kashan.
Archeological investigations conducted during the 20th century have divided the history of the settlement into six cultural periods. The northern mound was made during the first and second periods.
During the first period rudimentary architecture emerged which included huts made of reed and covered with mud. The ceramic produced at the time was initially rather rough but its quality improved with the time.
In the second period, which dates back to nearly 5,500 BC, the residents were hunting, farming and herding.
Hand-made bricks were being used as the main construction material and the remains discovered from this period show signs of developing technology.
People started painting animals and plants as well as geometrical designs on their pottery for decorative purposes. They also started making small jewelry items using copper.
The third period started in 4,000 BC, when the dwellers moved from the northern mound to the southern side. During this era, the Iranians probably became the first people who invented pottery wheels which enabled them to produce more subtle shapes by clay.
They also heated ceramics in furnaces in which temperature could be controlled manually. Artistic designs on pottery works also became more intricate and paintings of humans were used as well.
The file photo shows a pottery work discovered at the Tappe Sialk prehistoric site in central Iranian city of Kashan.
Cultivation of wheat and barley and commercial interactions based on the two agricultural products were also introduced by Iranians during this period.
Iranians also started production of silver from mines and manufactured silverware during this period.
Evidence shows that Tappe Sialk was an important hub of metal production in central Iran during the third and fourth periods of the settlement.
The fourth period of Sialk history started around 3,000 BC, when writing system was introduced. The settlement experienced a remarkable commercial boom at the time and its population grew significantly.
The ruins of what is considered to be the oldest Ziggurat in the world date back to this period.
After an abandonment of more than a millennium, the Sialk was reoccupied for two more periods. The archaeological remains of these two periods have been mainly discovered in the two necropolises, known as necropolis A and necropolis B.
The archeological discoveries of the fifth period, which started nearly 3,200 year ago, included weapons and other objects in bronze, as well as jewelry, and some iron items.
The file photo shows a clay ram head discovered at the Tappe Sialk prehistoric site in central Iranian city of Kashan.
The ceramic in this period was gray-black, or red, which were sometimes decorated with geometric patterns.
The new settlers who occupied the Sialk around 2,900 years ago built their homes on the ruins of the previous period, completely destroying the architectural remains of the former dwellers.
Considering the fact that Tappe Sialk can provide priceless information with regard to the history of human civilization, archeologists around the world have launched a campaign to preserve the site.
In a conference held in London this week, scholars and archeologists from different parts of the world decided to form a consultative committee to set up a digital data base and launch a website for Tappe Sialk. The scholars also decided to sum up their studies in the course of two future conferences in France and Germany.
Iranian short animation ‘Alphabet’ directed by Kianoush Abedi will go on screen at four international film festivals.
The 11th Iranian Film Festival in San Francisco, the 3rd edition of Slemani International Film Festival in Iraq, 2018 Revolution Me Film Festival in New York City and Alexandre Trauner Art/Film Festival in Hungary are four events that will screen Iranian short movie ‘Alphabet’.
The 6-minute animated piece narrates the story of people who have forgotten life and are separated from knowledge and truth. The animation depicts a nation that has forgotten the alphabet to life, cannot see, cannot hear, and cannot speak, but the words are waiting for them impatiently.
‘Alphabet’ has so far joined some international film events, winning a number of awards, including the best short film award at the 5th Sayulita Film Festival in Mexico, the Best Experimental and Animation award at the 6th Speechless Film Festival as well as the 15th Southside Film Festival in the US, and the 5th edition of Tripoli Film Festival in Lebanon. /MNA/
Researchers at Rutgers University-New Brunswick have developed a smart wristband that uses a biosensor technology to monitor personal health conditions.
The plastic wearable device can count particles and is expected to help in tracking the blood cells. It can be wirelessly connected to a smartphone, allowing the remote transfer of data.
This technology can be leveraged for watches and other wearable devices designed to monitor heart rates and physical activity.
The new wristband comprises a flexible circuit board and a biosensor with a channel, or pipe, embedded with gold electrodes.
A circuit is included to process electrical signals, along with a micro-controller to digitise data and a Bluetooth module to wirelessly transmit the data.
The device obtains blood samples via pinpricks, and the blood is fed through the channel and associated cells are counted. Blood cell counts help in disease diagnosis, such as low red blood cell counts indicate internal bleeding.
Rutgers University School of Engineering Electrical and Computer Engineering department assistant professor Mehdi Javanmard said “there’s a whole range of diseases where blood cell counts are very important.”
“Abnormally high or low white blood cell counts are indicators of certain cancers like leukaemia, for example.”
The smart wristband is expected to help is conducting quick blood tests in the field, offices and hospitals, avoiding the requirement for lab-based equipment that is considered costly and bulky. / Mehr news /
According to Web of Science, Iran ranks fourth in nanotechnology in the world by publishing 8,791 articles in the field.
As per the latest updates, Iran holds the fourth place above countries such as South Korea, Germany, Japan and France.
China with the staggering number of 56,648 articles tops the list while the United States and India came in second and third places respectively.
What is nanotechnology?
Generally, nanotechnology is a field of research and innovation concerned with building ‘things’ – materials and devices – on the scale of nanometer – one-billionth of a meter.
As Aznano describes, nanotechnology is hailed as having the potential to increase the efficiency of energy consumption, help clean the environment, and solve major health problems. It is said to be able to massively increase manufacturing production at significantly reduced costs. Nanotech advocates claim that products of nanotechnology will be smaller, cheaper, lighter yet more functional and require less energy and fewer raw materials to manufacture.
Nanotechnology in Iran
Iran’s first researches in this field started in 2000 and with publishing 9 articles, the country achieved the rank of 52 in that year.
The national nanotechnology development headquarters was established in 2005, with the aim of making policies, assessing achievements in field of nanotechnologies, raising public awareness about nanoscience, improving quality of life and creating lucrative markets.
Recognizing the great importance of nanotechnology, Iranians have had boosted researches in the field year on year.
There are 257 companies active in this field, 33 percent of which working on nanomaterials, ISNA reported on Tuesday.
These companies have manufactured 376 different products using the nontechnology, showing that this is a field with huge economic and practical advantages.
The reports also demonstrate that these products are being exported to 47 different countries. / Tehran times /
An 800-year-old clay oil lamp dating back to the Islamic Golden Age was accidentally discovered on Tuesday by construction crews digging a ditch in the city of Dandi, Zanjan province, Mehr reported.
“The beige-colored oil lamp which has a flat base and an 11-cm vertical handle was unearthed flawlessly during a construction work at Dandi’s Imam Square,” said Parastu Qasemi, a provincial cultural Heritage official.
“With regard to pottery fragments found nearby, the oil lamp is estimated to date a time between the Seljuk and Ilkhanid eras,” she added.
“A sooty part of the object implies that it is used… furthermore, some oily residues have been identified inside.”
Origins of the oil lamps go back to thousands of years ago and continues to this day, although not commonly anymore. They are often associated with stories in which rubbing an oil lamp would summon a genie dwelling in it. / Tehran times /
MNA – In its latest statistics, Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) reported that 4,407,695 tons of cement, valued at over $159.3 million, were exported in the first three months of current Iranian calendar year (March 21-June 21).
The figures show one percent decline as compared to the same period last year, but no difference in terms of weight.
Meanwhile, 12,786 tons of cement was imported in the same period, showing a considerable 106 percent growth as compared to the last year’s corresponding period.
IRICA also put the cement import value in the first quarter of the current year (March 21-June 21) at $8.3 million, showing a 131 percent hike as compared to the same period last year.
Other reports showed that over 55,192,200 tons of cement was produced in the country in the last Iranian calendar year (ended March 20, 2018).
Moreover, 58,110,200 tons of clinker was produced last year, showing one percent increase as compared to the last year’s corresponding period. / The Iran project /
The First International Specialized Exhibition of Paper, Cardboard Cellulose Products and Related Machinery (PCCM 1397) became operational on Wednesday at the Tehran Permanent International Fairground, IRIB reported.
The opening ceremony was attended by Iranian officials from the Ministry of Industry, the parliament, and related unions, the report said.
Besides Iranian companies, some from Russia, China, India and Turkey are showcasing their latest products in this sector and sharing their experiences with their Iranian counterparts. The event will wrap up on July 4. / Tehran times /
Iranian actress Maral Farjad has won an award at US’ Love International Film Festival for her supporting role in ‘Immortality’ directed by Mehdi Fard Ghaderi.
In a ceremony held in Los Angeles last night, Iranian actress Maral Farjad won the Best Actress in a Supporting Role award while competing with Meagan English (‘In the Wake of Ire’) and Jackie Nova (‘Art of Deception’).
‘Immortality’ is Fard Ghaderi’s debut feature that displays events occurring in a rainy night on a train. The film is the story of six different families each in a different compartment, told through a nonlinear passage of time.
Love International Film Festival, held annually in Los Angeles, is dedicated to showcasing films with a theme on “family values, love, peace, acceptance, tolerance, friendship and introducing intercultural values.”
‘Immortality’ as well as ‘Temporary License’ by Iranian filmmaker Afshin Hashemi had also received nominations for the Best Feature Film award and Best Screenplay at the American festival.
The 2018 Love International Film Festival was held on 24-27 July in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, US. / Mehr news /
By Arghavan Shamsara : The Grand Bazaar of Tabriz in the northwestern Iranian city of Tabriz is known as the largest roofed Bazaar in the world and the oldest one in the Middle East.
The file photo shows a view of Timcheh Amir in the Grand Bazaar of Tabriz in the northwestern Iranian city of Tabriz.
For centuries, the endless labyrinthine of architectural marvels combined with colorful charm of traditional goods and scent of oriental spices has allured visitors of the bazaar.
Located at the center of Tabriz, the complex was one of the most important international trade hubs between the 12th and 18th centuries and it still serves as the economic heart of northwestern Iran.
The file photo shows a view of the historic Jameh Mosque of Tabriz to the west of the Grand Bazaar of Tabriz in northwestern Iran.
Many world explorers and writers throughout the history, including Marco Polo, Yaqut al-Hamawi and Jean Chardin, have lauded the glory of Tabriz Bazaar as a remarkable part of their adventures.
In 2010, the UNESCO declared Tabriz Bazaar as a World Heritage Site.
As it was located on the Silk Road, thousands of caravans from different Asian, African and European countries passed though Tabriz bazaar on a daily basis, making it one of the world’s most flourishing commercial hubs over centuries.
The file photo shows a view of Timcheh Mozaffarieh in the Grand Bazaar of Tabriz in the northwestern Iranian city of Tabriz.
Tabriz bazaar saw its most glorious days in the 16th century, when Tabriz became the capital city of the Safavid kingdom, but the city lost status as a capital in the 17th century.
The file photo shows a view of mourning ceremony on the Day of Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of third Shia leader Imam Hussein, at the Grand Bazaar of Tabriz.
The bazaar, however, still remained flourishing. In 19th century, trade volume at Tabriz bazaar constituted over 25 percent of Iran’s business transactions, passing even higher than that of the capital city of Tehran.
The complex was not built at one phase and different parts were added to bazaar by different architects at several stages.
The bazaar reaches the historic Jameh Mosque of Tabriz to the west, the provincial governor palace to the east and Mehraneh River to the north.
The one-square-kilometer trade center consists of 5,500 stores selling the products of over 40 types of professions, 60 timchehs (sub-bazaars) and saras (small caravansaries), 30 mosques, 20 alleys and sub-bazaars, five baths, 12 schools and five museums.
Similar to many other Middle Eastern bazaars, Tabriz Bazaar was a key commercial center for religious minorities, with Armenians and Georgians owning a major part of businesses and conducting important transactions with European and Central Asian merchants.
The bazaar was destroyed as a result of several massive earthquakes, but it was reconstructed afterwards. In the latest case in 1780, the bazaar was completely destroyed by a huge earthquake and was rebuilt flowingly.
In 2,000, the Cultural Heritage Organization of Iran began a renovation project for the bazaar in cooperation with the shop owners. The project won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2013.
The masterfully-designed high vaults and domes of the structure decorated with intricate brickworks and tileworks have turned the complex into an outstanding masterpiece in oriental architecture.
The complex consists of several sub-bazaars or timchehs. The most important and luxurious part of Tabriz Bazaar is Amir Bazaar, also known as Timcheh Amir, where shop exclusively sell gold and jewelry. The section has the largest dome in the entire bazaar.
Another important section is Mozaffarieh Bazaar, also known as Timcheh Mozaffarieh, for sale of exquisite Persian carpets. The most beautiful architectural design in the complex belongs to this section.
Other sub-bazaars are dedicated for the sale of a variety of other handicrafts, foodstuff and household items.
The majority of timchehs and saras consist of three-floor buildings where the first floor is used as the warehouse, the second floor as the business office and third floor as the resting space.
Apart from its economic status, Tabriz Bazaar has also been a hub of key social and political developments in the Iranian history, including Iranian Constitutional Revolution in the beginning of the 20th century and Islamic Revolution in 1979.
The file photo shows a view of mourning ceremony on the Day of Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of third Shia leader Imam Hussein, at the Grand Bazaar of Tabriz.
It is also a center for holding important religious ceremonies, including Day of Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of third Shia leader Imam Hussein, when merchants cease trading 10 days in advance to hold different mourning ceremonies and assemblies at the venue.
The iconic complex still continues to wield influence over different cultural, social, economic and political arenas in Iran and it is considered as an outstanding example for coexistence of diverse cultures and a model for constructive interaction among different social strata. / Press tv /
