khorramabad valley
states: [iran]
category: cultural
year: 2025
region: Asia and the Pacific
latitude/longitude: 33.4921083333, 48.3455722222
unesco id: 1744
world heritage site: 1744
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The Prehistoric Sites of the Khorramabad Valley, inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in July 2025, are a significant archaeological treasure in Iran’s Zagros Mountains, featuring five caves and one rock shelter with evidence of human habitation dating back 63,000 years. Including the Kaldar, Yafteh, Konji, Gilvaran, Ghamari caves, and Gar Arjeneh rock shelter, these sites reveal traces of Neanderthal and early modern human activity, showcasing the valley’s role as a cradle of early human settlement. The valley’s abundant water, diverse flora and fauna, and natural defenses highlight its importance as a prehistoric hub.