Posted on Mar 14, 2026 / Travel

Even though Kharg Island is mostly known for oil today, it actually has a long and interesting history. Archaeologists have found remains from the Achaemenid era, which dates back more than 2,000 years. There are also rock-cut tombs and inscriptions carved into the stone from ancient Persian periods. One of the most surprising discoveries on the island is the ruins of a Christian monastery believed to date from around the 7th century. The island was also an active trading stop for ships moving between India, the Persian Gulf, and Mesopotamia. During the 18th century, the Dutch East India Company even operated a trading station there. These historical remains show that Kharg Island had global connections long before oil was discovered.
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