Tehran: An ancient underground city believed to have been used as shelter during wars by habitants has been discovered in western Iranian province of Hamedan.
The city is located near the village of Arzanfud, 25
kilometres southeast of the city of Hamedan, the Hamedan
Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department (HCHTHD)
announced Saturday in a press release.
The city, which is comprised of 25 rooms connected to
each other by several corridors, had been dug under a stone
mound at a depth of 4 to 6 metres.
According to initial studies, the city likely dates
back to the kingdom of the Medes or the Parthian era (247 BC ?
224 AD).
The city's original entrance has not been found so
far, but it is accessible through an opening that has been
made by HCHTHD's experts.
There are holes carved in the walls, which had been
made to hold early light fixtures. A crib has also been
identified in the structure.
A number of stone rings and clasps have also been
discovered in the city.
No more details were mentioned about the discovery.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, July 31, 2010, 08:31