this is epic iran.tion is very unusual, in that it traces the history and cultural development of iran from the beginning of history, which we reckon to be about 3200 bc — that's when the first rudimentary writing appears in iran — right up until now. so that's a 5,000—year continuum. the first section starts at 3200 bc, with the introduction of writing, and it goes on until the start of the achaemenid empire in 550. so that in itself covers a very long period. we call that "emerging iran". there are some very interesting pieces in the first part of the exhibition showing the advanced and prosperous civilisations in some of those centres. particularly, for example, in ilam, in southwestern iran, i draw your attention to a very fine little bronze group which shows a man and a woman, possibly a king and a queen. they are worshipping figures, and it was undoubtedly something that was put into a shrine in order to represent the supplicants in perpetuity. also some very interesting gold vessels from the mali