Karaftu caves

The Karaftu caves^[a] (Persian: کرفتو,Kurdish: کەرەفتوو) 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]

Gallery

Notes

^ Also spelled "Karafto".

References

^ Gall, Hubertus von (2010). "KARAFTO CAVES". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. XV, Fasc. 5. pp. 533–536.
^ Canepa, Matthew P. (2018). The Iranian Expanse: Transforming Royal Identity through Architecture, Landscape, and the Built Environment, 550 BCE–642 CE. University of California Press. p. 186. ISBN 978-0520964365.
^ غار باستانی کرفتو در فهرست موقت جهانی یونسکو ثبت شد، خبرگزاری مهر، آبان ۱۴۰۱
^ ثبت غار باستانی «کرفتو» در فهرست موقت جهانی یونسکو ، دنیای اقتصاد، ۲۶ آبان ۱۴۰۱
^ Natural-Historical Complex / Cave of Karaftoo, UNESCO

36°16′N 46°51′E / 36.267°N 46.850°E / 36.267; 46.850

Kurdistan Province, Iran

Capital

Sanandaj

Counties and cities

Baneh County	Baneh Armardeh Buin-e Sofla Kani Sur
Bijar County	Bijar Babarashani Yasukand
Dehgolan County	Dehgolan Bolbanabad
Divandarreh County	Divandarreh Zarrineh
Kamyaran County	Kamyaran Muchesh
Marivan County	Marivan Chenareh Kani Dinar
Qorveh County	Qorveh Delbaran Dezej Serishabad
Sanandaj County	Sanandaj Shuyesheh
Saqqez County	Saqqez Saheb Santeh
Sarvabad County	Sarvabad