Results
Title

Deeper Insights Into the Lithic Raw Materials on the Iranian Plateau: West-Central Zagros Mountains.

Authors

Hariri, Nemat; Ranjbaran, Mohsen; Ghasidian, Elham; Heydari-Guran, Saman

Abstract

Recent prehistoric research, which involved surveys and excavations in the Kermanshah Region, has focused on understanding the nature and timing of the Middle Palaeolithic to Upper Palaeolithic transition. This research, conducted as part of the Human Evolution in the Zagros Mountains (HEZM) project, specifically targets the Nawdarwan area. The Bawa Yawan Rockshelter was selected for further investigation. Over four excavation seasons (2016-2021), evidence of long-term occupation spanning from the Middle Palaeolithic to the Epipaleolithic (EPI) periods has been uncovered. These findings are embedded in five geological horizons, covering a time range from 83,000 years ago to 13,400 years ago. These excavations have yielded more than 11,000 lithic artifacts. As one of the primary goals of the HEZM project which is conducting comprehensive studies on lithic raw materials in the West-Central Zagros region, we have initiated a comprehensive research project centred on the Bawa Yawan site and around it. This short paper presents our preliminary observations on the variety and extension of stone raw resources used in this key location in Zagros.

Subjects

MIDDLE Paleolithic Period; RAW materials; HUMAN evolution

Publication

Iranian Journal of Archaeological Studies, 2024, Vol 14, Issue 1, p95

ISSN

2251-743X

Publication type

Academic Journal

DOI

10.22111/IJAS.2024.48870.1303