Geosite of Gabr[1] Houses is one of the most unique cultural – historical and geoarchaeological monuments of Tabas Geopark, located in the geosites of Kal-e-Jenni and Kal-e-Sardar (kal means valley). These monuments were excavated in the steep walls of these valleys, made of alluvial sediments of the present time (Quaternary). The architectural structure of these houses shows them as two rows of horizontal and vertical cavities in the walls of the valley. The cavities are located in one direction and vertically. In fact, the bottom cavity is a channel and an entrance. It is possible to access the top cavities in horizonal rows by passing about 3-4 meters and through a well. The design of the corridors and roofs of the Gabr houses, which have an arched shape, is very close to the curves and arches of the Sassanid period, inducing an atmosphere of that time. On the other hand, given that Zoroastrians were called Gabr after Islam, this could be a reason for the construction and use of these houses by Zoroastrians who lived in the early years of the Islamic era.

Also, due to the greater distribution and diversity of Gabr houses in Kal-e-Sardar compared to Kal-e-Jenni, it can be concluded that this valley had better life conditions. Besides, these houses were mainly built in an area of the valley with a more extensive angle of view. Today, this geosite is considered as one of the most obvious active evidence of regional tectonic in Tabas Geopark.

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[1] Gabr is a New Persian term originally used to denote a Zoroastrian.