غار دربند رشی

Darband Cave - Darband Rashi Cave

Useful Information

Location:	From Teheran Highway 2 west, then Highway 1 west, exit Jubon, through Tutkabon 10 km, turn left towards Dafraz 10 km. Trailhead at the road Dafraz-Sidasht, 900 m hike. (36.8349749, 49.6545982)
Open:	no restrictions. [2026]
Fee:	free. [2026]
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:	A=750 m asl.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:	F. Biglari, S. Shidrang (2006): The Lower Paleolithic Occupation of Iran Near Eastern Archaeology 69(3–4): pp 160-168. F. Biglari, V. Jahani, M. Mashkour, A. Argant, S. Shidrang, K. Taheri (2007): Darband Cave: New Evidence for Lower Paleolithic occupation at Western Alborz Range, Gilan Iranian Journal of Archaeology and History 41:30-37. (In Farsi, with an English abstract.) F. Biglari, V. Jahani (2011): The Pleistocene Human Settlement in Gilan, Southwest Caspian Sea: Recent Research Eurasian Prehistory 8 (1-2): 3-28
Address:	Darband Rashi Cave, Tel: +98-.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

2005	cave discovered by V. Jahani.
2012	cave excavated.

Description

غار دربند رشی (Darband Rashi Cave) is located at 750 m asl on the north side of a deep tributary canyon of the Siahrud River, which flows into the Sefīd-Rūd River, which flows into the Caspian Sea. A team of Iranian archaeologists from the Paleolithic Department of the National Museum of Iran and ICHTO of Gilan under the direction of Fereidoun Biglari excavated the cave in 2012. They found large amounts of cave bear and brown bear remains, and as the stone artifacts were rather sparse they guessed that it was primarily a bear den. The oldest remains were from the late Middle Pleistocene. It seems the humans visited the cave when it was not used by the bears, beginning during the Lower Paleolithic. This makes this site the earliest known prehistoric human cave occupation in Iran.

This is an archaeological site, a huge portal followed by a single large cave chamber. There is no dark cave and no speleothems. The cave is excavated and the content is mostly removed, the cave is freely accessible. While a torch is actually not really necessary, we recommend to bring one, if you want to have a look into the rear parts. There is a 1 km hike to the cave with a moderate ascent, you should plan about 20 minutes one way. There are educational signs and the trail is marked with arrows. Wear sun protection, good walking shoes, and bring some water.