Something astonishing was hiding beneath the streets of Abarkuh, Iran, and no one knew about it—until now. Archaeologists digging under five historic homes made a jaw-dropping discovery: a sprawling underground city with massive halls, hidden passageways, and an ancient water system that may have been a secret lifeline for its people. But the most shocking part? This lost city could be much larger than anyone ever imagined.
Beneath Abarkuh’s stone foundations, researchers uncovered an elaborate network of underground chambers, tunnels, and a sophisticated water distribution system. These subterranean spaces weren’t just for storage—they were an entire hidden world designed to help ancient people escape the brutal desert heat and possibly even enemy invasions.
Guverner Abarkuha, Hossein Hatami, revealed that between layers of stone, early engineers created interconnected living spaces, pathways, and gardens. “These spaces weren’t just about water transportation,” Hatami said. “They created an entirely different way of life, hidden from the surface world.”
A Brilliantly Engineered Water System
At the heart of this underground city lies a qanat system—an intricate network of underground water channels that provided a steady flow of fresh water to residents. This system not only kept the settlement habitable but also allowed people to manage water supplies efficiently, ensuring survival in one of the harshest climates on Earth.
Archaeologists believe that as more people moved underground, additional rooms and resting spaces were carved out near these water channels. Over time, this created a fully functional subterranean settlement that remained hidden for centuries.
Beyond climate control and water management, historians suspect that this underground network may have also served a defensive purpose. Hatami suggested that during periods of conflict, residents could have retreated into the tunnels to escape danger. “It is said that this complex was used as a shelter during times of war or attack,” he explained.
This hidden city spans approximately 150 acres, but the true extent of its underground network remains unknown. Some of the tunnels have been lost to modern construction, yet experts believe that even more undiscovered chambers and pathways are waiting to be found.
An Engineering Marvel from the Qajar Era
The evidence suggests that much of this underground settlement was built during the Qajar period (18th–20th century), an era known for its advanced irrigation systems and architecture. The construction materials found within the qanat closely match those used in Qajar-era buildings, reinforcing the theory that this civilization mastered underground engineering long before modern technology.
“The depth and ventilation of these tunnels kept the water cool as it traveled through the underground channels,” said geopolitical analyst Irina Tsukerman in an interview with All That’s Interesting. The ingenuity of these builders ensured a sustainable way of life hidden beneath the surface.
The shocking discovery of this underground city has left archaeologists wondering: how much more is still hidden beneath Iran’s historic landscapes? Hatami believes that similar structures may exist beneath other neighborhoods, waiting to be uncovered. As researchers continue to dig, they may rewrite the history of how ancient civilizations adapted, survived, and thrived—completely out of sight.
