Darreh Shahr Ancient City

Darreh Shahr Ancient City, also known as Madaktu and Seymareh, is the name of a 200 hectares (490 acres) ruined area next to the existing city of Darreh Shahr in southwest Iran, in Ilam Province. The ruins belong to an ancient city of the late Sasanian era (224 – 651 AD) and is believed to be built on remnants of the Elamite capital, Madaktu. Historic texts and also recent findings reveal the fact that the city included about 5,000 houses with some modern aspects such as a water distribution system through clay pipes and underground sewers. The city was destroyed and deserted after a huge earthquake around 950 AD.