Zendaya faces backlash for wearing ancient Iranian jewellery at Odyssey event

Zendaya at a photocall in London for The Odyssey. The earrings are fashioned from the Ziwiye hoard, which was uncovered in Iran in 1947. Photograph: Scott A Garfitt/AP

The Odyssey is a story about a Greek king’s long journey home. But a pair of earrings worn on the new film adaptation’s press tour – and their long separation from their homeland – is sparking controversy.

At a photocall in London, Zendaya, who plays the goddess Athena in the Christopher Nolan film, wore a pair of earrings fashioned from Iranian artefacts dating back to 700BC.