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In the heights of the Zagross mountains, due to the sedimentation of limestone, many crevices and caves composed from such materials have been created. Some of these caves have streams or natural springs within them. The important caves of the province are: Doosheh Cave, Khorram Abad The historical cave of Doosheh is in the village of Karshurab in the district of Chagni (Khorram Abad). This cave has many interesting historical drawings and inscriptions in it. The cave has a regular circular shape within, and is approximately 5 m. in height. Its straight walls are adorned with about 110 drawings done in black. On its western wall, besides these paintings are two inscriptions, one of which has been ruined and the other has faded and cannot be read. Within the crevices at the end of the cave bones of human and animal skeletons as well as pieces of earthenware have been found. Kalmakareh Cave, Pol-e-Dokhtar This cave is located 20 km. south west of Pol-e-Dokhtar. The said cave is valuable, both as a natural phenomenon and from the cultural aspect. This cave is situated in a historical and ancient region, and in a valley known as Darreh Baq, in the heights of Kooh Mahaleh. Vast spaces and crevices have created a mysterious atmosphere in the cave. The cave holds great importance regarding the remnants of ancient civilizations. At the entrance and within the cave are evidences of the presence of humans and animals of the past. Due to earth-quakes or natural erosion of the mountain, some of the so called 'halls' in this caved have been blocked. The heights of the Kooh Mahaleh are in a triangular shape, with the two rivers of Seimareh and Kashkan running on either sides. This brings into focus as to why this area was favored by man in the pre-historic and historic ages, especially during the Elamite, Parthian and Sassanian periods. Vestiges such as earthenware, large pots covered with limestone residue, can be noted within the cave, as well as the hillocks surrounding it. This cave does not seem to have been permanently inhabited, but was a good hiding place or refuge at the time of attacks and war for the inhabitants of 'Kooh Mahaleh'. There is also a possibility that the cave was used as a shelter by out-laws and revolutionaries in the past. Koogan Cave, Khorram Abad This cave is one of the historical man-made caves dug out in the breast of the mountain. The said cave is 8 km. from Khorram Abad - Kermanshah Road. The cave is not within easy reach. Coins that have been discovered in the surroundings are related to the Parthian era. Throughout the ages the cave has served as a permanent shelter. Mirmelas Cave, Koohdasht The above mentioned cave is in the Mirmelas Valley in the Sarsarkhan Mountains, 30 km. from the city of Koohdasht. There are drawings or paintings on the northern and southern walls of the cave as well as the ceiling. Some of these drawings display scenes from hunting activities, whilst others are those of animals, some of which cannot be fully recognized. These drawings are prone to natural erosion. Qajeh (Moqar) Cave, Khorram Abad This cave is in the south-east of Kooh Yafteh in the district of Chagni Khorram Abad. The opening of this cave faces east, and inside there are pools with very cold water to the depth of 1.5 m. Besides which the cave also has stalactites and stalagmites. The cave forms a shelter for hunters and is a sight-seeing area with its natural surroundings. Qomri Cave, Khorram Abad The Qomri cave is located to the west of the valley of Khorram Abad, and internally it is more than 200 m. Besides, it has a long and narrow passage, the end of which has not been discovered yet. Other Caves, Lurestan Other caves of Lurestan Province are: The 'Yafteh' Cave (25 km. south-west of Khorram Abad), 'Kanji' Cave (4 km. south of Khorram Abad), 'Arjaneh' Cave ( valley of Khorram Abad), 'Bard-e-Sefid' Cave (Koohdasht), 'Bothkhaneh' Cave (Koohdasht), ' Semsa' Cave (Alishtar), 'Aliabad' Cave (Koohdasht), the 'Manqush-e-Hamiyan Caves 1 and2' (north of Koohdasht), the 'Tamandar' and ' Boznaveed' Caves (Aligoodarz), 'Roqani' Cave (Azna), and the Caves of 'Zayd Ali and Omareh' (Kabir Kooh). |
