Meymand - Historical cave dwellings of an ancient village dating back 12,000 years, Kerman

Question

Meymand, a village situated near Shahr-e Babak city in Kerman Province, Iran, is considered one of the earliest human settlements in the Iranian Plateau, with an estimated history dating back to 12,000 years ago.

The village is renowned for its age-old cave dwellings, comprises of 350 hand-dug houses that are intricately carved into the rocks, and some have been continuously inhabited for up to 3,000 years. The presence of stone engravings dating nearly 10,000 years and pottery deposits that are nearly 6,000 years old bear testimony to the long-standing history of human settlement at the village site.

The village is primarily inhabited by farmers and livestock herders who have retained their traditional lifestyle for thousands of years, reflecting their strong ties to their land and a reputation for hospitality.

Visitors can reach Meymand by car or public transportation from the city of Kerman, which is located about 200 kilometers away. The village is a popular tourist destination, and visitors can experience the unique culture and history of this ancient village by staying in one of the traditional cave houses and exploring the surrounding desert landscape.

Image source: Wojciech Kocot / Wikimedia

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