Yakhchal

Yakhchal is an Iranian type of ice house used to store ice and food items over the summer. It was invented over 2,000 years ago and is still used today! It works by digging a deep underground space and lining the walls and roof with straw, mud, and other insulating materials. The walls and roof are very thick so that heat can't get in and the cool temperatures inside can help preserve the food. People would fill the yakhchal with ice in the winter, then open the door and let cool air in during the summer to keep the ice from melting. They also used it to store food, like dried fruits, nuts, and grains. The deep underground chambers kept the food from spoiling and made it last longer!