Wikipedia
Ardehians (Persian: اردهیان) is the name of a tribe of Aryan people who lived in Zagros Mountains before the islamic conquest of Persia in 650 CE. Ardehians in Shahnameh and Persian mythology are known to be the first people who settled in and discovered the Zagros mountains and built their forts, towers and castles there, in order to defend Persian caravans against Arab bandits in the South and southwest of Persia. In Persian mythology it has also been believed that Ardehians were well known for their skills in forging steel and building temples and strongholds for Sassanid empire. According to Michael Axworthy's book, Iran: Empire of the Mind, Ardehians were the providers of chain mail (armour) for Sassanid empire, during their wars and conquests against their western foes