Following a survey and research by the cultural heritage exploration group, an underground town was found under some houses in Abarkuh, Yazd. It is believed that this underground city exists under the houses throughout the historical context of this city.
According to Mehr, Mustafa Fatemi, Director General of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism of Yazd Province, announced the discovery of an underground city under five houses in the historical context of Abarkuh.
Fatemi said: “In the past, the people of Abarkuh used to build their houses and important places in the city on top of rocks, but studies show that the spaces between these stones, on which the houses were built, were turned into orchards.”
He added: “This system building most probably was both for easy access, and to maintain security, and most important, for water supply.”
Referring to the discovery of chambers under large stone beds, Mustafa Fatemi said: “With the discovery of these chambers, the study of the cultural heritage excavation group began, and after 18 months of relentless efforts, the secret of this underground city was revealed.”
The Director-General of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism of Yazd Province continued: “In this new discovery, an underground complex of houses was found under 5 houses, in one of the historical areas of Abarkuh, but it is highly probable that these complexes exist under all 200 hectares of Abarkuh historical texture.”
He pointed out that this underground city’s height varied from 1 m to 3 m, depending on the application its different sections.
In conclusion, Fatemi stated: “Investigation and research are underway to discover other parts of this underground city.”
