Makhunik is a village in South Khorasan province, just 20 km from the Iranian border with Afghanistan. The village is popularly known as the "village of lilliputians," and although you wont meet dwarfs there now, locals say they really used to exist.
If you take a look atMakhunik fromthe nearestmountain, it will remind you a meadow dotted withmushrooms. The "mushrooms" are small houses withnarrow doorways. Being there, anyone would feel likeGulliver.
Founded 1,500 years ago, Makhunik became known asthe village oflilliputians because ofits past, when its inhabitants never grew higher thana meter tall. Researchers say that it could have happened throughthe frequent marriages ofclose relatives, malnutrition withlack ofproteins and vitamins, and drinking water withtrace ofmercury.
There are 700 people living there now. The village's houses still preserve the elements ofNeolithic architecture. The buildings' color once served ascamouflage: it was impossible tospot them fromthe mountains ata distance.
The elderly people prefer old-fashioned kerosene lamps and fireplaces toelectricity. There are also no TVs anywhere, asthe villagers believe that they are fromthe devil.
The village has one school. In the evenings, the young people study theology ata local mosque. Despite its size and location, there is no rush toleave and the small population seems togenuinely love their home and is happy toremain there.
Remains ofsimilar settlements have also been found inother places acrossIran.