Indication of their dwarfism is found in the local architecture.
These adobe dwellings are less than two meters tall with narrow doorways that cannot be entered without stooping.
Some of these houses have ceiling as low as 140 cm.
A boy stands in front of a tiny house in the village of Makhunik, in Iran.
Photo credit:tripyar.com
For centuries, Makhuniks ancestors lived in almost complete isolation from modern civilization.
The region was dry, desolate and barren that made growing crops and keeping animals difficult.
Turnips, grain, barley and a date-like fruit called jujube constituted the only farming.
Malnutrition contributed significantly to the residents height deficiency.
Some of these genes happened to produce dwarfism.
Lack of height wasnt the only reason why these people built smaller houses.
So locals had to carry all supplies by hand for kilometers.
Kids grew healthier and taller than their parents, and with improved healthcare dwarfism began to subside.
Most of Makhuniks 700 residents are now of average height.
It has been years since they left their ancestor’s Lilliputian dwellings and moved into brick houses.
But aside from their homes and their heights, nothing much have improved for these villagers.
Life is still harsh, and agriculture poorer, thanks to continued drought.
The younger people go to nearby cities for work and women do some weaving.
Older residents rely on government subsidies.
Photo credit: Mohammad M. Rashed
Photo credit:monji12info/Twitter
Photo credit:Nezare/Twitter
Photo credit:tripyar.com
