Avevo dato la notizia della scoperta dei resti di soldati persiani nel deserto egiziano (qui e qui). Oggi torna sull’argomento il Tehran Times, che dà la parola a due storici iraniani. Uno di loro mette in dubbio la testimonianza di Erodoto, sostenendo che alcune iscrizioni epigrafiche dicono che il figlio di Ciro ebbe una morte differente:

1. “The Herodotus’ story is the only document claiming that the Cambyses’ army was caught in sandstorm,” Moradi Ghiasabadi told the Persian service of CHN.  “NO other ancient historian has referred to the issue. In addition, all Herodotus’ remarks about Cambyses have been rejected by historians so far,” he added.  Moradi Ghiasabadi referred to the Darius inscription in Bisotun, saying, “Darius talked about Cambyses in the inscription, but there is no reference to his (Cambyses) invasion (of the Temple of Amun) in the ancient document.” “In addition, Darius also discussed the death of Cambyses in the inscription and said that he met his death naturally,” he added.
   

Un altro studioso, però, dissente:

1. However, another Iranian archaeologist said that the event was likely to be true. “The event is not beyond belief as we see Alexander was caught in a sandstorm in Iran’s Lut Desert,” Mir-Abedin Kaboli said.
   

E deve anche ammettere, che i reperti trovati sono di fattura acheminide:

1. The photos taken by the Italian brothers of the artifacts, which they claimed were discovered along with the bones, appear to confirm that they belonged to the Achaemenids, Kaboli said. “However, we must acertain the authenticity of the photos,” he noted.
   

Come? Le foto potrebbero essere state manipolate? Viene imputata anche la malafede ai nostri archeologi. Come dire: quello che era mio me lo scopro io.