An underground labyrinth city and aqueduct were recently unearthed in the ancient town of Abarkuh in Yazd Province, Iran. Mohammad-Reza Falahati, the Deputy of Cultural Heritage at the Yazd Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department, announced the discovery of the site.
Further research into the interconnected chambers and tunnels of the city is currently underway.
Hossein Hatami, the governor of Abarkuh, stated that 60,000 square meters of the town’s historical structures, out of a total of 170,000 square meters, are covered by underground channels. Hatami also noted how the ancient inhabitants of the city transformed the spaces between the rock foundations into gardens.
Archaeologists have uncovered a remarkable “underground city” beneath five historical homes in the ancient town of Abarkuh, located in Yazd province, central Iran.https://t.co/hkDffTMV4u
— Tehran Times (@TehranTimes79) January 25, 2025
The underground labyrinth city reveals how ancient inhabitants of Abarkuh, Iran, mastered city planning
The discovery of this ancient underground city showed that the ancient peoples of Iran had mastered urban planning. This is especially evident in the small stone chambers. It was initially thought that these were storage spaces. However, according to Hatami, they have other specialized purposes. Some of these include transferring water within the city, storage security, and daily living.
This site is also set to have high touristic value for Yazd. Local officials say that this labyrinth-like city’s discovery has the potential to “revolutionize” cultural tourism in Iran, making Abarkuh a must-visit destination.
The most impressive component of this site is the stone aqueduct, which is similar to those found in Qajar era (1796–1925) homes. The aqueduct’s design allowed water to flow through underground tunnels, cooling the subterranean spaces, which was crucial for the summer.
The historical homes in the city featured staircases that descended directly into the cool tunnels, enabling residents to easily access water in the channels. Some archaeologists speculate that these homes may have even been summer residences.
New research suggests there might be more underground structures
The full extent of the underground city remains undetermined, as archaeologists continue to speculate that additional structures may yet be discovered.
Despite the excitement this discovery has generated for the local government regarding the site’s tourist potential, some challenges remain to ensure public safety. For instance, recent construction projects redirecting wastewater underground have already hindered excavation and preservation efforts in the labyrinthine city.
The Abarkuh region is one of Iran’s richest cultural regions, and the discovery of this underground city is the latest addition to the ever-growing list. So far, 400 historically significant sites have been identified here, and 147 have been designated as national cultural heritage monuments.
