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Natural-Historical Complex / Cave of Karaftoo

摘要: Justification of Outstanding Universal Value  Troglodytic architecture of Karaftoo complex, carved in special and creative structure in 4 floors, including 9 rooms, corridors and passageways connectin

Justification of Outstanding Universal Value

  Troglodytic architecture of Karaftoo complex, carved in special and creative structure in 4 floors, including 9 rooms, corridors and passageways connecting the floors, was used for various functions during history. It was a special type of architecture in the historic Era and a Prototype of settlements, temples and sanctuaries of its own time. Carving places as crypts in natural stone rocks is characteristics of the architecture in the first millennium BC, especially in Median Era. The plan of the temple of the cave is the prototype of the Mehr cave temple in Iran which had a significant role in investigating Mehr temple cave in Iran. As  a memorial of an important historic era, the Mehr temple among ethnic groups of India, Iran, Europe, North Africa, Armenia, and Anatolia,  in different periods or at the same time, has had a special and sacred role and is of significance in studying the history of Mehr worshiping Mehr. Karaftoo is a symbol of exchanging supreme religious human values in a cultural zone, in relation to the specific rituals. The specific architecture of Karaftoo, and the evidence inside (including motifs and reliefs) is of great significance in archaeological studies, beautiful valuable nature increased its importance. The natural beautiful landscape and the special landscape of Karaftoo area, its geographical location in the preserved environmental region of “abdurrazagh”, which is  home to 120 animal species and local plants, has made it  an outstanding natural-historical  area to the west of Iran.

  Criterion (ii): Troglodytic architecture of Karaftoo complex, during various historic eras, from Median and Achaemenids to the late Islamic period (Ilkhanids) had been used as shelter, settlement, temple and crypt. The creative architecture and specific plan of the cave including more than 9 rooms and numerous corridors and passageways as well as reliefs with human, animal and plant patterns / motifs represents the human creativity and genius in constructing a settlement. In studying the history of Mehr worshiping, Karaftoo has a significant position, therefore Karaftoo can be considered as a symbol of interaction of supreme human values in a specific period, in an universal cultural zone in relation to specific religion and rite.

  Criterion (iii): The cultural and natural landscape of Karaftoo bears exceptional and even unique testimony to the evolution over centuries of a traditional way of life in close interaction with nature. It bears testimony to significant social and religious activities from the ancient times.

  Indeed, in a relatively limited area, this cultural landscape comprises a significant range of elements and man-made structures, representing different stages of human life evolution. These include shelters for humans and religious spaces.

  Karaftoo cave, is the prototype of cave-like Mehr temples of Europe and is considered as few spaces demonstrating part of Greek culture. In ancient Rome, worship of Mithra was in a particular way which similar to that cannot be found in Iran while there has been found evidences of worshiping of Meh in Karaftoo cave, dating back to a century before its roman way of worshiping, therefore it can be considered the prototype of cave-like Mehr temple of  Europe. 

  Due to the importance of Mehr worshiping, its ritual had been performed in specific spaces dedicated to it , before it was held in caves. At the end of Median period, and political changes at early Achaemenid periods, especially at the reign of Darius, a new religion emerged and was defined for the empire, which resulted in enclosure and suspension of Mehr worship and temples, As the real believers of Mehr, were not assumed the new, they surreptitiously worshiped Mehr in dark sanctums of caves. Thus, this kind of worship was transferred to Rome in the early years after the Christ. Karaftoo cave is a special type of theses temples and rituals, with a very long history to the west of Iran.   

  Criterion (iv): Troglodytic architecture of Karaftoo complex is very special and in fact is an outstanding type of architecture, the natural and cultural landscape of which had been in use during history and various periods .The nominated property is an outstanding example of a cultural and natural landscape that illustrates significant stages in the development of human habitat and settlement and dated initially to the median and Achaemenid periods. The troglodyte residences of Karaftoo illustrate the evolution of such habitat from the use of natural caves and simple holes dug into the ground to more elaborate man-made troglodyte spaces for a diversity of purposes, including residences and religious spaces.

  Criterion (v): Karaftoo is also an outstanding example of a specific natural landscape that has been transformed to a new manifestation as the result of humans’ interactions with the nature.

  Criterion (vii): Karaftoo is formed in limestone, and its location in a  giant rock , has an outstanding perspective, demonstrating a very beautiful natural landscape including more than 120 animal species and plants, (a type of golden head eagle, at the threat of extinction, , Egyptian vulture, bats and a type of white mouse of the cave, ). There are springs inside and outside the cave, multiplying the beauty of the space. Karftoo is located in a special geographical region, in one hand, it is located between two present provinces of Kordestan and Azarbaijan and, on the other hand, it is in the middle distance between ancient Median Empires and Athropaten monarchies from the historical perspective.

  Criterion (x): Karaftoo complex, is located in a very important and special preserved area,  called abdulrrazagh, comprising of 120 animal species and local plants, exclusive to the mountainous regions, some of which are at the threat of extinction. Therefore preserving these area is of great significance for preserving these species as well as the whole landscape.


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