INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
TEHRAN - Thousands of years ago, people in Maymand carved out rocky hillsides to take refuge from the harsh climate of the Iranian
plateau.Sandwiched between a desert and a mountain, the village of Maymand has cold winters and exceedingly hot summers yet abundant with
mulberry and blackberry trees
Living conditions in the village are considered severe due to the aridity of the land, high temperature in the summertime, and very cold
Maymand is situated near Shahr-e Babak in southeastern Kerman province
Some of its natural and manmade caves are still used for housing and shelter.The houses in the continually inhabited village are carved like
caverns inside the mountain
The internal spaces have corridors and pillars featuring rural architecture
chisel, but rather a type of local, pointed stone that was hard enough to carve images onto the rocks
This method of carving is still practiced in the region
Some of the stone engravings in the village date back to 10,000 years ago.The majority of inhabitants are semi-nomadic shepherds
They raise their animals on mountain pastures, living in temporary settlements in spring and autumn.The community has a strong bond with the
natural environment that is expressed in social practices, cultural ceremonies, and religious beliefs.The local dialect contains words from
the ancient Sassanid and Pahlavi languages
The dialect has barely changed due to the remoteness of the village.The area is also home to various animals such as snakes, lizards,
hedgehogs, deer, leopards, wolves, foxes, and also birds of prey
Few seasonal springs around the village contribute to the flourishing of agriculture in the area
In such an arid climate, residents have to collect every drop of water to make a living as their ancestors did.Iran is a haven for ancient
troglodytic architecture which is somewhat forgotten though they are filled with life and creativity
The northwest Kandovan village is one of the most famous examples of troglodytic architecture in the country; its ice-cream cone-shaped
In 2018, the country hosted the 3rd International Troglodytic Architecture Conference in which tens of experts, researchers, and academia
discussed troglodyte-associated architecture, culture, and technology.In 2015, the Cultural Landscape of Maymand was inscribed on the UNESCO
