Zendaya’s Ancient Earrings Controversy: The Ziwiye Treasure, Persian Heritage, and the Debate Over Cultural Ownership

Hollywood actress Zendaya became the center of an international cultural heritage debate after wearing a pair of ancient gold earrings reportedly connected to the Ziwiye (Ziviyeh) Treasure of Iran during the London premiere of The Odyssey.

The jewelry, described by the dealer as ancient Iranian gold medallion plaques dating back to the first millennium BCE, attracted significant attention on social media and in cultural circles. While many fashion observers praised the historical design and craftsmanship, archaeologists, historians, and heritage experts questioned whether thousands-of-years-old artifacts should be transformed into celebrity fashion accessories.

The controversy has revived a much larger global discussion:

Who has the right to display ancient cultural objects? How should museums, collectors, celebrities, and luxury jewelers handle artifacts connected to civilizations outside the Western world?

For critics, Zendaya’s appearance represents a continuing pattern in which ancient objects from the Middle East and the Global South are admired aesthetically while their historical, political, and cultural meanings are overlooked.

For others, the appearance brought renewed global attention to ancient Iranian art and introduced millions of people to one of the most fascinating archaeological treasures associated with Persian civilization.

July 24, 2026 | 7:37 pm