The director of the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization (CHTO) said on Monday that the cabinet was tasked with making the final decision due to the danger that the rare artifacts could be damaged or stolen in shipping or while on display at the museum.

The cabinet agreed to allow the artifacts to be loaned to the museum after seriously studying the matter, Hossein Marashi explained.

“The officials of the British Museum begun installation work some time ago and have been waiting for the Iranian items,” he added.

Experts believe that the exhibition “Forgotten Empire: The World of Ancient Persia” will be the largest of its kind on the history of the Achaemenid dynasty.

About 400 artifacts will be put on display from the collection of Iran’s museums, such as the National Museum of Iran and the Persepolis and Hegmataneh (Ecbatana) museums, and from the Louvre and the British Museum.

The exhibition, which was previously entitled “Persian Glory”, will open at the British Museum on September 8, 2005 and will continue until January 2006.

In addition, Achaemenid era experts from across the globe plan to participate in a three-day seminar on social issues, women’s rights, the economy, and art during the Achaemenid dynasty that will be held on the sidelines of the exhibition.