Pre-Parthian Underground City Discovered in Hamedan

Hamadan Province in western Iran has yielded an underground city, which is believed by archeologists to date back to pre-Parthian eras. Archeologists found 25 of the underground citys rooms, halls and corridors in a 4-meter-deep site in Samen located in Malayer County in Hamadan Province. The hand-dug stone structure, which was first identified two years ago, seems to have been a secret place for performing Mithraic rituals.

“We have found earthenware at the site, which have been sent for carbon 14 dating tests,” said head of the archeology team, Ali Khaksar. Archeologists also found some Parthian squat burials, which suggest the possibility that site was used as a burial ground by the Parthians.

“Some 54 human skeletons were found, which were buried along with some objects,” said anthropologist, Farzad Forouzanfar.
Studies also showed that the city was used as a secret haven during the Seljuk, Ilkhanid, Timurid and Safavid eras.
“The underground city has different entries and a number of openings have been created on its top to let in light and air,” explained Khaksar.

“Studies also showed that the inhabitants used torches and oil lamps to light the rooms,” he added.