TEHRAN – The mudbrick structure of a centuries-old traditional watermill has been accidentally unearthed in the village of Qaleh Now, located in Torbat-e Heydarieh county of Khorasan Razavi province, northern Iran.

The discovery was made after a landslide exposed the remnants of the historic structure, bringing to light a piece of the region’s rich past, ISNA reported on Thursday.

Ali Mohammadi, the head of the Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Office of Torbat-e Heydarieh, shared details of the find in an interview with ISNA.

He explained that the watermill’s remains were revealed beneath one of the village’s streets following a local subsidence event. “The street had shown signs of subsidence before,” Mohammadi noted, “and elder residents of the village confirmed that there was once a mill in the area.

“After further examination, the roof and remains of the mill became visible.”

The discovered watermill is believed to date back to the Qajar era, a period known for its distinctive architecture and cultural achievements in Iran.

Mohammadi stated that efforts are currently underway to complete the excavation, clear the debris, and restore the watermill. “We are working as quickly as possible to fully uncover this structure from the earth,” he added.

The village of Qaleh Now is historically significant, with traces of Safavid-era structures and predominantly Qajar and early Pahlavi architecture.

In recent years, the village has seen the discovery of five cisterns, most of which also date back to the Qajar period. These findings highlight the village’s potential as a future tourist attraction.

Qaleh Now already boasts several historical remnants, including a tower, cisterns, and the recently discovered watermill in its southern district. To enhance the village’s appeal, a traditional guesthouse and an ethnographic museum have been established, both of which have been warmly received by visitors and tourists.

AM