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PRESS TV A senior Iranian archeologist says recent findings about a legendary Iranian army in Egypt shows that there are huge potentials in the field of Achaemenian studies. 
Two Italian archeologists recently declared that they have found clues about the 50,000-strong army of the Achaemenian King Cambyses II that disappeared in a desert in Egypt in 525 BC. Below is an interview with Dr. Mohammad-Reza Kargar, an archeology professor at Tehran's Tarbiat Moddares University, who has been the Head of Iran's National Museum for eleven years up to one and a half years ago. Press TV: Would you please give us some details about the new findings about the ancient army? Dr. Mohammad-Reza Kargar: Two Italian archeologists have been searching for the legendary army in Egypt over the past 15 years and there have been reports about their findings over the past years. But their recent conclusive evidence encouraged them to officially announce their findings. These findings include ornaments such as necklaces that have been found with the skeletons found in the region that were similar to the previously found Achaemenian ornaments in Iran. Press TV: How important are the new findings about the ancient army? Dr. Mohammad-Reza Kargar: There have been always controversies about the realities of the ancient military expedition. Such findings could provide the researchers and historians with precious material to adjust the historical records and to find out more about the realities of the ancient human civilization. The findings could provide details not only about ancient wars and military strategies but also about ancient architecture, art and other aspects of life. The study of the ancient army will provide new insights to the major role that the Achaemenian Empire has played in development of the human civilization. The Achaemenian Empire still remains unknown to a great extent. One major reason is the empire's vast geographical expansion that reached to Egypt from the west and India to the east and included central Asia. The findings about the empire have never been integrated to contribute to a better understanding of it. Once in a while we see reports that Achaemenian relics have been found in different parts of the world. Press TV: As you know President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in response to a letter from Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization (IHCO) has issued a decree to follow up the issue through forming a panel of archeology experts. How important is the move? Dr. Mohammad-Reza Kargar: The decision by the Iranian president is certainly a welcome move that could pave the way for opening new horizons towards studying Iran's ancient history. Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization or even the government could establish a Foundation for Achaemenian Studies to carry out comprehensive studies about the Achaemenian Empire in different countries. Countries such as Turkey and Greece are among countries that are expected to welcome the move. Such a foundation could find new insights into the Achaemenian history, which is a major part of the Iranian history. The issue should not be politicized and we expect Egypt to provide full support and cooperation for studying the site of the new findings because the findings would help the world people to better understand the human civilization. This could be the most important result of the studies about the legendary army.
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