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

Document Type : Short Article

Authors

1 Depratment of Geology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

2 Neanderthal Museum, Mettmann Düsseldorf, Germany and DiyarMehr Institute for Palaeolithic Research, Iran.

3 Institute for Prehistoric Archaeology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany, DiyarMehr Institute for Palaeolithic Research, Iran.

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.

Keywords

References

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Iranian Journal of Archaeological Studies
Volume 14, Issue 1
2024
Pages 95-100

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