Scholars from different countries have participated in an international conference held on the role of Iran in the development of the Silk Road.

More than 30 scholars will present papers during the three-day conference, held at the National Museum of Iran starting February 12, 2011.

“The conference aims to analyze the documents discovered along the ancient route,” museum director Azadeh Ardakani told IRNA.

Austrian numismatist and director of the Coin Cabinet of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna Michael Alram will be among the participants of the conference.

Hellenistic and Parthian eras expert Marek Jan Olbrycht will also attend the event along with several other international scholars including Iranian studies professor of the Sapienza University of Rome Carlo Cereti.

“Since the presented papers are based on new Silk Road discoveries, the conference can help students and scholars increase their knowledge about the route,” Ardakani said.

An exhibition will also be held on the sidelines of the event to display a collection of artifacts, discovered in ancient Iranian sites on the Silk Road during archaeological excavations.

Participants will also discuss the history, culture and customs of Silk Road countries, suggesting new ways to endorse and revive the ancient route as a major tourism hub.

The 2,000-year-old Silk Road was a trade route linking Asia and Europe through Persia. The 7,000-kilometer-long road extended from the Chinese cities of Luoyang and Xi'an, to Europe via south and central Asian countries.