Shirz Canyon, Natural canyon in Lorestan and Ilam Provinces, Iran.
Shirz Canyon is a natural gorge straddling Lorestan and Ilam provinces, where the Seimare and Cheshmeh Sefid rivers flow through steep-sided valleys. The cut through the Zagros Mountains creates dramatic vertical rock walls that define the landscape.
Archaeological evidence shows human presence in the canyon dating to Stone Age times, indicating its long importance as a settlement area. This early occupation demonstrates that the site held significance for people over thousands of years.
Local communities have long-standing connections to this site, reflected in traditional stories and practices tied to the canyon and its rivers. This relationship shapes how people understand and relate to the landscape around them.
Visiting the canyon requires planning ahead and arranging transportation from larger towns in the surrounding provinces. Visitors should be prepared for basic conditions and make arrangements with local guides or operators in advance.
The rock walls display sedimentary layers from the Devonian period, revealing millions of years of geological evolution. These banded rock formations create a visible timeline of mountain building and environmental change.
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