The main entrance to Tehran University was constructed about 40 years ago. Few people are aware that the university is the world’s only university to have a symbolic structure as an entrance gate.
Information about the gate has to be compiled as very little is known about it. It would be helpful if the prestigious university authorities install a board within the campus to provide information about the structure. This can be the first step toward recording the specifications of other national monuments. It is unacceptable to see the entrance gate of the huge center of learning lack documentation when the specifications of other ordinary structures are readily available.
The gate is among the symbols of Iran, particularly among the academics. The two parts of the gate resemble the wings of a bird ready for flight. The international standing of Tehran University has led to the recognition for its entrance gate as the only structure in the world to have such unique symbolic value.
Documents indicate that in 1966-67 on the order of the then-chancellor, students and planners were invited to design the entrance gate. The winning design was submitted by a student of architecture by the name of Kourosh Farzami. In 1969, the Persian newspaper ’Kayhan’ published a report titled ’New Entrance Gate of Tehran University’. Hence, it is believed that the construction of the gate was completed in the same year (1969). Science and knowledge are like two wings to enhance knowledge. Other people describe the university’s entrance gate as an open book which shows the importance of education among Iranians. The construction of Tehran University’s entrance is believed to have cost 6.5 million rials in 1969. Some academics had acknowledged in interviews with newspapers published in 1968 that Italian engineers undertook the task of calculating the measurements of the ceiling of the entrance gate.
These days, symbols play an important role in the social lives of people, particularly in communications. Media theorists have categorized symbols as a new communication tool, accessible for all. Symbolic structures should not necessarily be restricted to ancient monuments just because of their antiquity.

While results of Carbon-14 experiments confirm the human settlement in Kelardasht Hill date back to 6,000 years ago, archaeologists believe that most probably they can identify human life in the hill and its vicinity during the Neolithic and Paleolithic eras.
Expressing this, head of the archaeology team in Kelardasht in Mazandaran province, Mehdi Mousavi further said that the second season of archaeological excavations in the hill begins on July 22, reported CHN.
In addition to conducting geological studies, archaeologists are planning an extensive project to discover traces of human life in ancient times, he said, adding that a few caves and shelters from the Neolithic and Paleolithic periods have been identified in the ancient and historical site of Kelardasht until now. “We intend to study the findings carefully to identify human life in the area in ancient times.“
Late last year, the latest results of Carbon-14 experiments on coal and bone samples in Kelardasht by Oxford University experts confirmed that human beings lived in the area some 6000 years ago.
This was indeed a breakthrough, as the predominant viewpoint was that human settlements in some regions of Gilan and Mazandaran dated back to some 3500 years ago.

An Iranian researcher will hoist Iran’s tri-colored flag on the North Pole for the first time, according to Mehr News Agency
“I will take a handful of Iran’s soil, water from Mount Damavand and a Persian carpet with me to the North Pole and will perform several traditional Iranian ceremonies during my ten-hour stay,“ Hamid Jodeiri Khodashenas told CHN on Sunday.
Jodeiri who will be accompanied by filmmaker Sassan Tavakkoli Farsani added, “We will set off for Finland on July 19 and later board an icebreaker at the Russian port of Murmansk on July 20. We hope to arrive in the North Pole, also called the roof of the world, on July 26.“
He added, “On the way back, we will visit Franz-Joseph Land of the Arctic Ocean, Eskimos, polar bears and seals. We will also observe a total eclipse of the sun from the North Pole on August 1. Several astronomers, geologists and ornithologists will be onboard and will also be giving lectures for all the passengers.“
Jodeiri explained that he is planning to make several movies, take photos, give lectures and write daily notes.
Referring to his earlier trips to the five continents, he explained, “This has helped me attend several international conferences in various countries.“
He is the founder of Sayeh Research Center that conducts research on total solar eclipses. He is currently working on his largest project in which he follows the path of the eclipse that took place in Africa in 2001, and studies its effects on various species of animals. He finances the activities from personal funds.