Zendaya's Ancient Iranian Earrings Spark Cultural Heritage Debate

During a London promotional event for Christopher Nolan’s film “The Odyssey,” actress Zendaya wore a pair of gold medallion earrings made from ancient Iranian artifacts dating to around 700 BCE. The jewelry originates from the looted Ziwiye treasure, discovered in north‑western Iran in the 1940s, and is owned by the London gallery Barron London, which loaned the pieces for the shoot.

Archaeologists and art historians have condemned the use of the historic objects as fashion accessories, calling it cultural appropriation and highlighting the broader issue of looted heritage being displayed in commercial contexts. Barron London has defended the loan, stating it complies with legal provenance requirements and was not intended for commercial gain. The controversy has sparked broader discussion about the responsibility of celebrities and the entertainment industry in handling cultural artifacts.

The incident has drawn attention from media outlets in the United States, the United Kingdom and Iran, and raises questions about the ethical use of antiquities in contemporary media and fashion.