Ancient Iran (Room 52)
The Rahim Irvani Gallery
3000 BC – AD 651
Iran was a major centre of ancient culture. It
was rich in valuable natural resources, especially metals, and
played an important role in the development of ancient Middle
Eastern civilisation and trade. Room 52 highlights these ancient
interconnections and the rise of distinctive local cultures, such
as in Luristan, during the age of migrations after about 1400
BC.
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Gold griffin-headed armlet from the Oxus treasure, Achaemenid Persian, 5th-4th century BC
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Gold griffin-headed armlet from the Oxus treasure, Achaemenid Persian, 5th-4th century BC
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Stone relief showing a sphinx, 5th century BC
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Stone relief showing a sphinx, 5th century BC
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Cyrus Cylinder, Babylonian, about 539-530 BC
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Cyrus Cylinder, Babylonian, about 539-530 BC
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Silver plate showing Shapur II, Sasanian, 4th century AD
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Silver plate showing Shapur II, Sasanian, 4th century AD
During the sixth century BC, Cyrus the Great
founded a mighty Persian empire which eventually stretched from
Egypt to Pakistan. Objects on display from this period include the
Cyrus Cylinder and the Oxus Treasure. Monumental plaster casts of
sculptures from Persepolis are also displayed in Room 52 and on the
East stairs.
The later periods of the Parthian and Sasanian
empires mark a revival in Iranian culture and are represented
through displays including silver plates and cut glass.
explores how the birth of farming
in the Middle East affected life in ancient Europe.