I think that one of the problems with modern museums is that they try to evoke some kind of mysterious atmosphere: in poorly-lit rooms, you can see only a couple of objects lying there, beautifully spotlighted, just looking mysterious. The illumination allows you to look at it from one point of view, but not from other angles. Photography is almost impossible. In other words, you cannot study the objects.
I get the impression that museums are now leaving this cul-de-sac, and return to decent displays. The Archaeological Museum of Tehran has never succumbed to ill-directed aestheticism, and this makes it, easily, one of the better museums dedicated to ancient culture.
This does not mean that there are no beautiful objects. The first part, dedicated to the Neolithicum and Bronze Ages, culminates in the pottery from Susa, which is just splendid. Recently, this part has been redesigned; several objects from the important excavations at Jiroft have been inserted, to name but one change.
The museum has a treasury that contains precious objects, made of silver and gold, but it is often closed. Asking for permission to get there is futile. In this aspect, the Tehran Museum suffers from the same error as western museums: it creates obstacles for students. I think this is inexcusable. There is simply no reason why a museum should hide its entire collection from people who have made an effort to get there.
This being said, the Tehran museum is really something special. Next to it is the museum of Islamic Art, which has not been open for quite some time; I remember that I liked it very much. Around the corner you will find the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, situated in a building that is inspired by the Persepolis Apadana; and around another corner, you will find a charming museum dedicated to fine art made of glass. If you have only one day in Tehran, spend it in this part of the city.
This museum was visited in 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014.
![](/site/assets/files/6087/thumbnail_parthian_prince.jpg) Head of a bronze statue of a Parthian prince, found at Shami, Khuzestan
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![](/site/assets/files/63625/thumbnail_ecbatana_golden_bull_achaemenid_mus_tehran.jpg) Hamadan, Achaemenid statuette of a bull
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![](/site/assets/files/18334/thumbnail_tepe_sialk_jar_miv_mus_tehran.jpg) Tepe sialk, Jar from the fourth millennium BCE, decorated with ibexes
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![](/site/assets/files/42167/thumbnail_susa_sass_bust_mus_tehran.jpg) Susa, Sassanian portrait
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![](/site/assets/files/18147/thumbnail_persepolis_weight_mus_tehran.jpg) Persepolis, Treasury, Weight DWc
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![](/site/assets/files/18238/thumbnail_susa_darius_statue_subject_l09.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius, Subject t3 tjmhw (OE. Tjemehu = Cyrenaica)
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![](/site/assets/files/57445/thumbnail_sari_sasanian_plate_tehran_museum.jpg) Sari, Sasanian plate
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![](/site/assets/files/44275/thumbnail_khurvin_pottery_mi_2_mus_tehran.jpg) Grey ware from Khurvin
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![](/site/assets/files/17715/thumbnail_choga_zanbil_cow_tehran_museum.jpg) Choga Zanbil, Inner Court, Statue of a cow
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![](/site/assets/files/17507/thumbnail_a2sb_detail.jpg) Susa, Inscription A2Sb
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![](/site/assets/files/18248/thumbnail_susa_darius_statue_subject_r07.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius, Subject skdy (OP. Sugda = Sogdia)
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![](/site/assets/files/18039/thumbnail_proskynesis14-stool.jpg) Persepolis, Apadana, Northern Stairs, Central Relief, Darius' stool
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![](/site/assets/files/18038/thumbnail_proskynesis12-lotus.jpg) Persepolis, Apadana, Northern Stairs, Central Relief, Darius' flower
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![](/site/assets/files/17740/thumbnail_chogha_zanbil_knob_tehran.jpg) Choga Zanbil, Ziggurat, Doorknob (Tehran)
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![](/site/assets/files/56995/thumbnail_coin_sass_bahram_v_mus_tehran.jpg) Bahram V
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![](/site/assets/files/6159/thumbnail_xpf1_photo.jpg) Persepolis, Queen's Quarters, Inscription XPf, Persian text (Tehran copy)
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![](/site/assets/files/18032/thumbnail_proskynesis03.jpg) Persepolis, Apadana, Northern Stairs, Central Relief, Guards
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![](/site/assets/files/1970/thumbnail_darius.jpg) Persepolis, Apadana, Northern Stairs, Central Relief, Darius
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![](/site/assets/files/18261/thumbnail_susa_fish_mus_tehran2.jpg) Susa, Stone fish
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![](/site/assets/files/18253/thumbnail_susa_darius_statue_subject_r12.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius, Subject sg?shkš (OP Sâka = Scythians)
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![](/site/assets/files/16119/thumbnail_xerxes_tablet.jpg) Persepolis, Inscription XPh ("Daiva inscription")
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![](/site/assets/files/17940/thumbnail_xpg_persepolis_apadana_inscr.jpg) Persepolis, Apadana, Inscription XPg
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![](/site/assets/files/43883/thumbnail_azerbaijan_plaque_tehran_museum1.jpg) Iranian Azerbaijan, Stone weight
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![](/site/assets/files/56996/thumbnail_coin_sass_yazdgerd_ii_mus_tehran.jpg) Yazdgard II
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![](/site/assets/files/17552/thumbnail_xpf1_bab.jpg) Persepolis, Queen's Quarters, Inscription XPf, Babylonian text
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![](/site/assets/files/7275/thumbnail_azerbaijan_plaque_tehran_museum2.jpg) Iranian Azerbaijan, Disk with a deity with two wild animals
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![](/site/assets/files/18346/thumbnail_apple.jpg) Persepolis, Apadana, Northern Stairs, Central Relief, Guard, "Apple"
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![](/site/assets/files/18066/thumbnail_persepolis_door.jpg) Persepolis, Palace of Darius, Doorknob with inscription DPi
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![](/site/assets/files/18157/thumbnail_persepolis_tripylon_stairs_tehran_am1.jpg) Persepolis, Tripylon, Staircase
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![](/site/assets/files/18239/thumbnail_susa_darius_statue_subject_l10_nubian.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius, Subject t3 nhsy (Kush)
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![](/site/assets/files/18252/thumbnail_susa_darius_statue_subject_r11.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius, Subject ch3rs3m' (OP. Uvârazmîy = Chorasmia)
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![](/site/assets/files/42166/thumbnail_susa_muse_tehran.jpg) Susa, Hellenistic portrait of a Muse
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![](/site/assets/files/18388/thumbnail_royal_warrior.jpg) Royal Warrior
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![](/site/assets/files/18240/thumbnail_susa_darius_statue_subject_l11.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius, Subject m'g (Maka)
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![](/site/assets/files/57009/thumbnail_hissar_tepe_figurine_2400-2200_mus_tehran.jpg) Tepe Hesar, Figurine
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![](/site/assets/files/18237/thumbnail_susa_darius_statue_subject_l08_egyptian.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius, Subject kmt (OE. Kemet = Egypt)
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![](/site/assets/files/62408/thumbnail_bes_tehran_museum.jpg) Amulet of Bes from Iran
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![](/site/assets/files/18158/thumbnail_tripylon5.jpg) Persepolis, Tripylon, Lamassu capital
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![](/site/assets/files/18244/thumbnail_susa_darius_statue_subject_r03.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius, Subject '3ylm "Chiefs of Irem" (Elam)
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![](/site/assets/files/18034/thumbnail_proskynesis05-burners.jpg) Persepolis, Apadana, Northern Stairs, Central Relief, Incense burners
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![](/site/assets/files/1464/thumbnail_woman.jpg) Persepolis, Portrait of an Achaemenid woman or beardless prince
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![](/site/assets/files/18308/thumbnail_susa_statue_darius_base2.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius the Great, left-hand side of the base
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![](/site/assets/files/18331/thumbnail_tepe_sialk_cup_miv_mus_tehran.jpg) Tepe Sialk, Cup from the fourth millennium decorated with a human figure
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![](/site/assets/files/1453/thumbnail_pharnakes.jpg) Persepolis, Apadana, Northern Stairs, Central Relief, Pharnaces
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![](/site/assets/files/18299/thumbnail_susa_parthian_head_tehran_museum.jpg) Hellenistic portrait of a queen
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![](/site/assets/files/9133/thumbnail_proskynesis07-prince.jpg) Persepolis, Apadana, Northern Stairs, Central Relief, Prince
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![](/site/assets/files/18267/thumbnail_susa_handle_coffin_parthian_tehran_museum.jpg) Susa, Handle of a Parthian coffin
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![](/site/assets/files/18031/thumbnail_proskynesis02.jpg) Persepolis, Apadana, Northern Stairs, Central Relief
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![](/site/assets/files/18235/thumbnail_susa_darius_statue_subject_l06.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius, Subject 3Sw3l (Assyria)
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![](/site/assets/files/56998/thumbnail_coin_sass_piroz_i_mus_tehran.jpg) Peroz I
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![](/site/assets/files/18202/thumbnail_darius_statue_rear.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius the Great, Base with sema-tawy (rear)
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![](/site/assets/files/18035/thumbnail_proskynesis06-king.jpg) Persepolis, Apadana, Northern Stairs, Central Relief, Darius on his throne
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![](/site/assets/files/18246/thumbnail_susa_darius_statue_subject_r05.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius, Subject pltiiw3 (OP. Parthava = Parthia)
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![](/site/assets/files/18036/thumbnail_proskynesis09-weaponcarrier.jpg) Persepolis, Apadana, Northern Stairs, Central Relief, Weapon carrier
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![](/site/assets/files/18236/thumbnail_susa_darius_statue_subject_l07_arab.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius, Subject Hgr (Hegra, i.e., Arabia)
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![](/site/assets/files/63623/thumbnail_hamadan_winged_lion_achaemenid_mus_tehran.jpg) Hamadan, Achaemenid cup with relief of a winged lion
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![](/site/assets/files/56993/thumbnail_coin_sass_ardashir_ii_mus_tehran.jpg) Ardashir II (Hormizd I), coin
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![](/site/assets/files/56994/thumbnail_coin_sass_bahram_iv_mus_tehran.jpg) Bahram IV
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![](/site/assets/files/18234/thumbnail_susa_darius_statue_subject_l05.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius, Subject sk3tl3 (OP. Skudra = Thrace)
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![](/site/assets/files/17941/thumbnail_apadana_dog_tehran.jpg) Persepolis, Apadana, Dog's head
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![](/site/assets/files/56997/thumbnail_coin_sass_yazdgerd_i_mus_tehran.jpg) Yazdgard I
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![](/site/assets/files/17510/thumbnail_a2sd_photo.jpg) Susa, Inscription A2Sd
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![](/site/assets/files/18335/thumbnail_tepe_sialk_jar_mi_mus_tehran.jpg) Tepe Sialk, Early first millennium beak pot (2)
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![](/site/assets/files/17744/thumbnail_chogha_zanbil_postgate2.jpg) Choga Zanbil, Ziggurat, Inner gate, Lock with Inscription
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![](/site/assets/files/1322/thumbnail_iranian.jpg) Achaemenid nobleman
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![](/site/assets/files/56999/thumbnail_coin_sass_blash_i_mus_tehran.jpg) Valkash
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![](/site/assets/files/18309/thumbnail_susa_statue_darius_belt.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius the Great, Belt with akinakes
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![](/site/assets/files/63624/thumbnail_ecbatana_achaemenid_torque_mus_tehran.jpg) Hamadan, Achaemenid torque
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![](/site/assets/files/18307/thumbnail_susa_statue_darius_base.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius the Great, Base with sema-tawy (front)
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![](/site/assets/files/18241/thumbnail_susa_darius_statue_subject_l12_indian.jpg) hndw3y (OP. Hinduš = India)
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![](/site/assets/files/56991/thumbnail_damghan_sasanian_stucco_relief.jpg) Damghan, Sasanian relief
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![](/site/assets/files/17646/thumbnail_bishapur_mosaic_tehran.jpg) Bishapur, Palace, Mosaic of a lady with flowers
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![](/site/assets/files/18251/thumbnail_susa_darius_statue_subject_r10.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius, Subject sdgw3? (OP. Thataguš = Sattagydia)
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![](/site/assets/files/18301/thumbnail_susa_parthian_relief_tehran_museum.jpg) Susa, Relief of Artabanus IV
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![](/site/assets/files/18033/thumbnail_proskynesis04-bag.jpg) Persepolis, Apadana, Northern Stairs, Central Relief, Guard, Weight
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![](/site/assets/files/17508/thumbnail_a2sd_detail.jpg) Susa, Inscription A2Sd
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![](/site/assets/files/18332/thumbnail_tepe_sialk_cup_mi_mus_tehran.jpg) Tepe Sialk, Cup from the first millennium
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![](/site/assets/files/17541/thumbnail_dsy.jpg) Susa, Inscription DSy
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![](/site/assets/files/17938/thumbnail_persepolis_plaque_tm.jpg) Persepolis, Hall of 32 Columns, Plaque
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![](/site/assets/files/18242/thumbnail_susa_darius_statue_subject_r01.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius, Subject pls (OP. Parsa = Persis)
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![](/site/assets/files/18249/thumbnail_susa_darius_statue_subject_r08.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius, Subject hlhdy (OP. Gandâra = Gandara)
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![](/site/assets/files/18392/thumbnail_sword.jpg) Persepolis, Apadana, Northern Stairs, Central Relief, Weapon carrier, Akinakes
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![](/site/assets/files/18250/thumbnail_susa_darius_statue_subject_r09.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius, Subject slng (OP. Zranka = Drangiana)
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![](/site/assets/files/18233/thumbnail_susa_darius_statue_subject_l04.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius, Subject gdpdk3y (OP. Katpatuka = Cappadocia)
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![](/site/assets/files/57008/thumbnail_ecbatana_achaemenid_rhyton_2_mus_tehran.jpg) Hamadan, Achaemenid rhyton
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![](/site/assets/files/18230/thumbnail_susa_darius_statue_subject_l01.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius, Subject b3b3l (Babylonia)
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![](/site/assets/files/1454/thumbnail_proskynesis.jpg) Persepolis, Apadana, Northern Stairs, Central Relief (Proskynesis scene)
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![](/site/assets/files/2091/thumbnail_darius_egypt.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius, once erected in Egypt, but later brought to Susa.
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![](/site/assets/files/18201/thumbnail_cartouche.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius, Darius' name as cartouche: drjwS
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![](/site/assets/files/18231/thumbnail_susa_darius_statue_subject_l02.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius, Subject 3lm'yn3 (OP. Armina = Armenia)
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![](/site/assets/files/18232/thumbnail_susa_darius_statue_subject_l03_lydian.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius, Subject spltj3 (OP. Sparda = Lydia)
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![](/site/assets/files/18245/thumbnail_susa_darius_statue_subject_r04.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius, Subject hlw3 (OP. Haraiva = Aria)
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![](/site/assets/files/3494/thumbnail_proskynesis08-magian.jpg) Persepolis, Apadana, Northern Stairs, Central Relief, Great Magian
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![](/site/assets/files/63631/thumbnail_ecbatana_sasanian_dish_mus_tehran.jpg) Hamadan, Sasanian dish
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![](/site/assets/files/18247/thumbnail_susa_darius_statue_subject_r06.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius, Subject s3htjl (OP. Bâkhtriš = Bactria)
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![](/site/assets/files/17506/thumbnail_a2sb.jpg) Susa, Inscription A2Sb
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![](/site/assets/files/4642/thumbnail_tepe_hisar_pot_mii_tehran.jpg) Tepe Hisar, Late Bronze Age phial
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![](/site/assets/files/6626/thumbnail_penelope.jpg) Persepolis, Treasury, Statue of Penelope
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![](/site/assets/files/18072/thumbnail_tacara_sphinx.jpg) Persepolis, Palace of Darius, Relief of a sphinx
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![](/site/assets/files/18243/thumbnail_susa_darius_statue_subject_r02.jpg) Susa, Statue of Darius, Subject m'dy (OP. Mâda = Media)
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