The Ali-Sadr Cave (Persian: غار علیصدر), originally called Ali Saadr or Ali Sard (meaning cold), is a water cave which attracts visitors every year.[1] It is located in Ali Sadr, Kabudarahang County, about 100 kilometres (62 mi) north of Hamadan, western Iran.
Faces of discovers, engraved on a stone board near cave entrance
Description
Ali-Sadr Cave
This cave is located at 48°18'E 35°18'N, in the southern part of Ali Sadr village.
In the summer of 2001, a German/British expedition surveyed the cave, finding to be 11 kilometres (6.8 mi).[2]
Early occupation
Excavations and archeological studies of the cave have led to the discovery of ancient artworks, jugs and pitchers dating back to 12,000 years ago.[3] Animals, hunting scenes and bows and arrows are depicted on the walls and passages of the exit section. These images suggest mesolithic man used the cave as their abode. The cave was known during the reign of Darius I (521-485 BC) which can be verified by an old inscription at the entrance of the tunnel. However, the knowledge of the existence of the cave was lost and it was only rediscovered in 1963 by Iranian mountaineers.[1]
Ali-Sadr Cave is the world's largest water cave
