Karaftu caves explained

The Karaftu caves (Persian: کرفتو,) are an ensemble of artificially cut rock chambers located between Saqqez and Divandarreh, Kurdistan Province, Iran. The cave complex dates back to the 3rd or 4th century BC and is of major importance due to its Greek inscription; "one of the very few examples preserved in situ" in Iran.^[1]

Alongside the Bisotun Herakles, it represents one of the only extant Seleucid rock-cut artworks.

The rock-cut cave complex dates to the Seleucid era, and likely served as a Seleucid garrison.^[2]

UNESCO

This cave was registered as one of Iran's national monuments on February 10, 1940 with registration number 330. Also, this cave was registered in UNESCO's temporary world list on November 15, 2022.^{[3] [4] [5]}

References

36.2667°N 97°W

Notes and References

1. Encyclopedia: KARAFTO CAVES . Gall . Hubertus von . http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/karafto-caves . Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. XV, Fasc. 5 . 533–536 . 2010 .
2. Book: Matthew P. . Canepa. Matthew P. Canepa. The Iranian Expanse: Transforming Royal Identity through Architecture, Landscape, and the Built Environment, 550 BCE–642 CE . 2018 . University of California Press. 186. 978-0520964365.
3. https://mehrnews.com/xYT8b غار باستانی کرفتو در فهرست موقت جهانی یونسکو ثبت شد
4. https://donya-e-eqtesad.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%DA%AF%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%B4%DA%AF%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%87%D8%A7-120/3917668-%D8%AB%D8%A8%D8%AA-%D8%BA%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%AA%D9% ثبت غار باستانی «کرفتو» در فهرست موقت جهانی یونسکو
5. https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/6193/ Natural-Historical Complex / Cave of Karaftoo