Zendaya Wears 3,000-Year-Old Iranian Zivia Gold Earrings at Odyssey Event

Hollywood actor Zendaya has sparked widespread discussion after wearing a pair of earrings featuring authentic 3,000-year-old Iranian gold plaques during the London promotional event for The Odyssey. Styled with a custom white Jacquemus halter gown, matching headscarf and Christian Louboutin heels, the actress's jewellery quickly became the focal point of her appearance. While many fashion enthusiasts praised the blend of ancient craftsmanship with modern design, others questioned the ethics of wearing historical artefacts as luxury accessories.

The earrings were created by Zivia and sourced through London-based antique jewellery dealer Barron London. They feature authentic gold discs dating back to the first millennium BCE, which were reset in 18-carat yellow gold and accented with diamonds. The ancient discs are engraved with a radiating sun motif, one of the oldest symbols found across the ancient Near East. In Assyrian culture, the symbol represented Shamash, the sun god associated with justice, divine authority and protection.

The jewellery traces its origins to the Zivia Treasure, discovered in 1947 near the village of Zivia, close to Saqqez in Iran's Kurdistan region. Historical accounts state that villagers uncovered a bronze coffin containing hundreds of gold artefacts. With no archaeologists present during the discovery, many of the objects were reportedly broken apart and sold individually before experts could properly document the site. The find later attracted international archaeological attention and became one of the region's most significant ancient discoveries.

Also Read: Can Stress Really Make You Sick? Experts Explain Its Impact On Health

French archaeologist André Godard displayed several pieces from the collection in Paris in 1948, while archaeologist Roman Ghirshman later documented more than 600 objects linked to the treasure. Today, surviving Zivia artefacts are housed in major museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Louvre, the British Museum and the National Museum of Iran, while other pieces remain in private collections. The provenance and dispersal of the collection continue to be subjects of historical and cultural interest.

Zendaya's decision to wear the earrings has generated mixed reactions online. Supporters described the look as an elegant celebration of ancient craftsmanship and cultural history. Critics, however, argued that displaying archaeological artefacts as fashion accessories raises ethical concerns about cultural ownership, preservation and the movement of historical objects from their countries of origin. The debate reflects broader discussions surrounding heritage, collecting practices and the commercial use of antiquities.

Commenting on the controversy, London-based author and Islamic history expert Zirrar Ali told The New Arab that the use of such artefacts by Western celebrities can raise questions about history, ethics and cultural power. He argued that wearing archaeological objects from the Global South may be viewed by some as an assertion of ownership over another culture's heritage. Despite the criticism, Zendaya's appearance has once again highlighted her influence in the fashion world as she prepares for the global release of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, in which she portrays the goddess Athena.

Also Read: Diet Coke As Treatment? Expert Explains Rare Ozempic-Related Stomach Issue