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Pourdavoud Institute

Established in 2017 as the premier research center for the study of ancient Iran, the mission of the Pourdavoud Institute for the Study of the Iranian World is to engage in transformative research on all aspects of Iranian antiquity, including its reception in the medieval and modern periods, by expanding on the traditional domains of Old Iranian studies and promoting cross-cultural and interdisciplinary scholarship. We serve as a disciplinary home to stimulating intellectual encounters and exchanges for scholars working on ancient Iran and the ancient world.

Archaeological Gazetteer of Iran

The UCLA Archaeological Gazetteer of Iran is a living research tool dedicated to the preservation of the global patrimony of the archaeological sites of Iran. Acting as a repository of cultural heritage, the Gazetteer’s goal is to preserve the virtual memory of archaeological remains. Through the interactive map and encyclopedia entries of archaeological sites, the Gazetteer serves the research and teaching needs of scholars in all branches of the humanities, including anthropology, art history, history, and digital humanities, but more specifically aids those working on the archaeology of Iran and the ancient Near East.

Podcast: Legacies of Ancient Persia

Join the Pourdavoud Institute as we explore elements of the many legacies of ancient Persia and their relevance to global patrimony with the Legacies of Ancient Persia podcast. Learn how the ancient Iranian civilization impacted its neighbors and how the interconnectivity of ancient cultures influenced Persia. Featuring interviews with thought leaders in academia, conversations with specialists in the entertainment industry who reimagine ancient worlds for modern society, and round-table discussions that bring together a multiplicity of perspectives, we highlight Persia’s interactions with the wider ancient worlds and explore how this entangled history is received in the modern era.

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Latest News

Happy Norouz 2024

On behalf of the Pourdavoud Institute, we would like to express our best wishes for a serene and healthy Norouz 1403. Our thoughts are with the intrepid...

Job Opening: Digital Content Design and Web Developer

The Pourdavoud Institute is seeking a digital content design and web developer. Under the direction of the Assistant Director of the Pourdavoud Institute for the Study of...

Inaugural Pourdavoud Faculty Lunch Lecture Series with Prof. Lara Fabian

Last week, Prof. Lara Fabian gave the first talk of the new Pourdavoud Faculty Lunch Talk series entitled "Of Pithoi and the Parthians: Burial Practices in the...

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