Ali-Sadr Cave
The Ali Sadr Cave (Persian: غار علی صدر) originally called Ali Saad (meaning dam) or Ali Saard (meaning cold) is the world's largest water cave which attracts millions of visitors every year.[1] It is located about 100 kilometers north of Hamedan, western Iran (more accurately at 48°18'E 35°18'N). Since the cave is situated between the large cities Hamadan, Tehran, and Qom it is a popular destination for Iranians. Tours of the cave are available by pedal boats.
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[edit] Description
This cave is located at 48°18'E 35°18'N, in the southern part of Ali Sadr village. The cave is entered at the side of a hill called Sari Ghiyeh which also includes two other caves called Sarab and Soubashi, each 7 and 11 kilometers from Ali Sadr Cave. Apparently, the water in Ali Sadr cave is supplied by a spring in Sarab.
In the summer of 2001, a German/British expedition surveyed the cave, finding to be 11 kilometers long.[2] The main chamber of the cave is 100 meters by 50 meters and 40 meters high.
The cave walls can extend up to 40 meters high, and it contains several large, deep lakes. The cave has a river flowing through it and most travel through the cave system is done by boat. More than 11 kilometers of the cave's water canals have been discovered so far. Some routes are 10 to 11 kilometers long and all lead to "The Island", a centrally located large atrium.
[edit] 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. Animals, hunting scenes and bows and arrows are depicted on the walls and passages of the exit section. These images suggest primitive 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 70 million-year old cave was lost, and it was only rediscovered in 1963 by Iranian mountaineers.[1]
[edit] See also
Alisadr Cave was recovered by a Rancher from Alisadr Village in which the Cave is located.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Ali-Sadr, Iran's unique water cave - Hamedan
- ^ Laumanns, Michael; Simon Brooks, Ingo Dorsten, Georg Kaufmann, Matthias Lopez-Correa, Bernd Köppen (2001). "Speleological Project Ghar Alisadr (Hamadan/Iran)". Berliner Höhlenkundliche Berichte (Berlin: Speläoclub Berlin) 4: 43. ISSN 1617-8572. http://www.speleo-berlin.de/gb_abstracts_band_04.html.[dead link]
[edit] External links
- Ghar Ali Sadr
- Publications of the Speläoclub Berlin (SCB)
- Das Iran Projekt "Ghar Alisadr"
- List of caves in Iran in Persian
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