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Project

Middle to upper Paleolithic transition of Zagros: Techno-typological assessment of lithic assemblages from Kaldar Cave in the central Zagros Mountains, Iran

Research Objective The early Upper Paleolithic Period witnessed the replacement of Neanderthals and other indigenous populations by Homo sapiens. The way in which this historic process might be reflected in the archaeological transition from Middle to Upper Palaeolithic material cultures is one of the most questionable subjects in the prehistory of the Old World. For sure, there is no simple one-to-one relationship between biological and cultural change. However, before any historical scenario can be forwarded, precise knowledge of both the nature and the timing of regional archaeological transitions is a condition sine qua non. For the entire region of southwest Asia, we are far from that. We cannot distinguish rapid technological turnovers from gradual technological adjustments nor do we know which species or populations used exactly which lithic production systems. As a matter of fact, this region is particularly complicated because both Neanderthal and early Modern Human populations have been present here during a long stretch of Upper Pleistocene time. They were using quite a similar Middle Palaeolithic and Middle Stone Age technologies, very much complicating our understanding of the precise path of change towards the Upper Palaeolithic, culture of the Aurignacian. The latter is considered the hallmark of Modern Humans entering into Europe. My research objective is to clarify the origin of the Aurignacian, both culturally and chronologically. While researchers maintain that the discontinuous chronostratigraphic phenomena of Neanderthal and Homo sapiens exist in the Levant, it seems that continuity evidence is identified in the western Zagros Mountains in Iran. These regions (Zagros in Iran and Iraq, Syria, and Turkey) are the Aurignacian and modern human’s origin. This project will try to find more continuity features to improve the human origin hypothesis by both anthropological and archaeological evidences in the Zagros Mountains in Iran. The regional archaeological record The prehistory of the eastern slopes of the Zagros mountains is mainly known from the late 1920s through the late 1960s by western‘pioneers’ like Dorothy Garrod (Hazar Merd (Garrod, 1930), Carleton Coon (Bisitun, Tamtama, Khunik (Coon, 1951, 1957; Smith, 1986) Braidwood's team in the 1950s (Braidwood & Howe, 1960), Hole and Flannery ’s 1960s research in Kunji, Gar Arjeneh, Ghamari sites (Hole & Flannery, 1967; Smith, 1986;  Young & Smith, 1966) Peder Mortensen (Hulailan sites (Mortensen, 1974,1993), and Charles Mc Burney (Ke-Aram I (Mc Burney, 1970; Bew-ley, 1984) Warwasi Cave (Olszewski, 1993) and recent researches (Otte et al., 2009; Vahdati-Nasab, 2011; Bar Yosef, 2013; Conard et al., 2013; Vahdati-Nasab et al., 2013; Bazgir et al. 2014, Heydari-Guran, 2015; Speth, 2014; Biglari & Shidrang 2016; Shidrang et al., 2016; Valdividia et al. 2017 and Bazgir et al., 2017). At present, the archaeological record for the Levantine Upper Paleolithic is shown by researchers at several dozen well-excavated and well-documented sites. The most important of these are, Qafzeh Cave Units E/D/Levels8–9 (Bar-Yosef and Belfer-Cohen, 2004), Umm el Tlel Units I–III (Ploux and Soriano, 2003, Ziffer, 1978), Ksar Akil Rockshelter Levels 6–25 (Azoury,1986; Bergman 1987, Ohnuma 1989), Kebara Cave D-E/Units I-IV (Ziffer, 1978), Tor Sadaf Rockshelter Units I–III (Coinman and Fox, 2000), Ucagizli in Turkey (Kuhn et al., 1999, p. 514). Early Upper Paleolithic sites are also found in the Zagros Mountains region of Iraq and Iran. Taking into account stratigraphic positions, typology and technology of the lithic assemblages, it seems that continuity between Middle and Upper Paleolithic is more likely in the Iranian Zagros than the Levant as seen at Warwasi Rockshelter Levels AA-LL (Iran) (Dibble and Holdaway, 1993; Otte & Kozlowski, 2007; Olszewski & Dibbel, 2009; Tsanova, 2013), Shanidar Cave in Iraq (Solecki 1958), Ghamari, Gilvaran and Kaldar caves (Bazgir et al., 2014; Bazgir et al., 2017), Eshkaft-E Gavi cave (Sumner, 1973; Scott and Marean, 2009), and Yaftet cave in Iran. Kaldar stratigraphy shows that Levels 1 to 3 (including sub-layers 4 and 4II). The Islamic and historical periods, Iron Age, Bronze Age, Chalcolithic, and Neolithic. Level 4 (including sub-layers 5, 5II, 6, and 6II), this stratigraphy includes dark- brown deposits with Upper Paleolithic and early Upper Paleolithic remains. The dates of this layer obtained from a fireplace in Upper Paleolithic layers. AMS radiocarbon dates of 38650–36750 cal BP, 44200–42350 cal BP, and 54400–46050 cal BP have been obtained from charcoal material located below this layer. Level 5 (including sub-layers 7 and 7II) includes highly cemented reddish-brown sediment, consisting of small angular limestone blocks, and middle Paleolithic remains (Bazgir et al 2017). In the Iranian Zagros, the oldest reported date is 54.400 Cal B.P from Kaldar Cave. Furthermore, the Khorramabad caves and rock shelter assemblages include early Upper Paleolithic as well as Middle Paleolithic features. This project will focus on the sequence at Kaldar Cave. It provides an exceptional opportunity to get more detailed analyses of stratigraphy, technology, and typology of assemblages in this site, Therefore, the intensive re-examination of the old collections alongside the analysis of new ones will add significantly to our knowledge of this interesting industry. Furthermore, I shall conduct a wide regional comparative analysis, using several Near- and Middle Eastern key sites, for example, the upper levels of the Middle Palaeolithic sequence of Karain on the Southern Anatolian coast (Turkey) and Shanidar, of which the lithic material remains virtually unknown. It will be very interesting to compare the Mousterian from Shanidar Cave not only with other Middle Palaeolithic cave sites from the region (e.g. Bisitun, Ghamari, Gilvaran, and Kaldar caves and Warwasi rock shelter,) but also with the recently discovered open-air sites from Iran (Mirak site). Upper Paleolithic industry appears to be similar to Baradostian culture artifacts from Zagros Mountain. In this way, I shall be able to address the question of the Baradostian. This was also uncovered from other cave sites at Warwasi and Yafteh in Iran but its origin still remains controversial. The new excavation at Kaldar Cave would possibly find the arguments for the in situ (continuum) development of this Upper Palaeolithic culture from the local Mousterian. This important information would enhance international debates on the appearance of the first cultures attributed to anatomically modern humans in Near East and Europe. Materials and Methods The artifacts will be analyzed from a techno-typological method, recording the types of raw materials used, production techniques and the chronological framework. The lithic assemblages will be studied following an integrated methodology, including taphonomical, technological, and typological analyses (with promotor: Prof. Philip Van Peer and Co-promotor: Prof Marcel Otte from ULg). Lithic industry analyses: In general, lithic assemblages of Kaldar site include about 2000 pieces. Kaldar Cave (Layer 5 - sub-layers 7 and 7II) includes Mousterian assemblage with the most popular elements; retouched tools, Levallois flakes, cortical pieces, Levallois blades, Levallois points, Levallois cores, other types of cores, and hammerstones, debris. Importance of the research The data obtained from the proposed excavation will contribute new data to our knowledge of the Neanderthals and Homo sapiens in the western Zagros Mountains of Iran. This project will help to build a comprehensive framework of the migration path of modern humans from Central Asia to Europe and will enhance a global position of the area in Paleolithic studies. Our project will be synthesized during an integrative analytic and interpretive research phase. The synthesis will include the different aspects of the arrival of modern human's culture (technology, subsistence, settlement patterns, etc.) considered within a refined chronological framework and provide an interpretation for the behavior and adaptations of modern humans as they expanded and colonized Europe. Results obtained during the project will be regularly published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presented at international scientific meetings. Lithic assemblages will be analyzed, helping to clarify sequences on a regional basis in the Zagros Mountains and this highly innovative project will help us obtain a global position for this type of study for the region. Reference: Azoury, I., 1986. Ksar Akil, Lebanon (Vol. 289). BAR. Bar-Yosef, O., & Belfer-Cohen, A. (2013). Following Pleistocene road signs of human dispersals across Eurasia. Quaternary International, 285, 30-43. Bar-Yosef, O., & Belfer-Cohen, A. (2004). The Qafzeh upper Paleolithic assemblages: 70 years later. Eurasian Prehistory, 2(1), 145-180. Bazgir, B., Ollé, A., Tumung, L., Becerra-Valdivia, L., Douka, K., Higham, T. ... & Blain, H. A. (2017). Understanding the emergence of modern humans and the disappearance of Neanderthals: Insights from Kaldar Cave (Khorramabad Valley, Western Iran). Scientific Reports, 7, 43460. Bazgir, B., Otte, M., Tumung, L., Ollé, A., Deo, S. G., Joglekar, P., & van der Made, J. (2014). Test excavations and initial results at the Middle and Upper Paleolithic sites of Gilvaran, Kaldar, Ghamari caves and Gar Arjene Rockshelter, Khorramabad Valley, western Iran. Comptes Rendus Palevol, 13(6), 511-525. Bergman, C.A. and Goring-Morris, A.N., 1987. Conference: The Levantine Aurignacian with special reference to Ksar Akil, Lebanon March 27-28, 1987 Institute of Archaeology, London. Paléorient, pp.142-147. Biglari, F., Shidrang, S. (2016). New Evidence of Paleolithic Occupation in the Western Zagros foothills: Preliminary report of cave and rockshelter survey in the Sar Qaleh Plain in the West of Kermanshah Province, Iran. In Kopanias, K., MacGinnis, J. (Eds.), The Archaeology of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and Adjacent regions, 29-47. Braidwood, R.F. and Howe, B., 1960. Prehistoric investigations in Iraq Kurdistan. Coinman, N. R., & Fox, J. R. (2000). Tor Sadaf (WHNBS 8): the transition to the Upper Paleolithic. The Archaeology of the Wadi al-Hasa, West-Central Jordan, 2, 123-142. Conard, N. J., Ghasidian, E., & Heydari–Guran, S. (2013). The Paleolithic of Iran. In The Oxford Handbook of Ancient Iran. Coon, C. S. (1951). Cave exploration in Iran 1949 (Museum Monographs). Philadelphia (PA): University Museum. Coon, C. S. (1957). The seven caves: Archaeological explorations in the Middle East. New York: Knopf, 1957 [c1956]. Dibble, H. L., & Holdaway, S. J. (1993). The Middle Paleolithic industries of Warwasi. The Paleolithic Prehistory of the Zagros-Taurus, 75-99. Garrod, D. A. E. (1930). The Palaeolithic of Southern Kurdistan: Excavations in the Caves of Zarzi and Hazar Merd. Bulletin of the American school of Prehistoric Research, 6, 9-43 Heydari-Guran, S. (2015). Tracking Upper Pleistocene human dispersals into the Iranian Plateau: a geoarchaeological model. HEADS, 4, 40-54. Hole, F., Flannery, K. V. (1967). The prehistory of southwestern Iran: A preliminary report. Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society, 33, 147–206. Kuhn, S. L., Stiner, M. C., & Güleç, E. (1999). Initial Upper Palaeolithic in south-central Turkey and its regional context: a preliminary report. Antiquity,73(281), 505-517. MC Burney, C.B.M. (1970). Paleolithic excavation in the Zagros area. Iran 8: 186–7. Mortensen, P. (1974). SURVEY OF PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENTS IN NORTHERN LURISTAN. Acta Archaeologica, 45, 1-47. Mortensen, P. 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IN THE LATE PLEISTOCENE LITHIC INDUSTRIES OF THE CENTRAL ZAGROS: A TYPO-TECHNOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF LITHIC ASSEMBLAGES FROM GHAR-E KHAR CAVE, BISOTUN, IRAN. Smith, P.E.L. (1986). Paleolithic Archaeology in Iran. The University Museum, Philadelphia. Braidwood, R.J., Howe, B., 1960. Prehistoric Investigation in Iraqi Kurdestan. In: Oriental Institute Studies in Ancient Oriental Civilisation, vol. 31. University of Chicago Press, Chicago. Solecki, R. S. (1958). The 1956–1957 season at Shanidar, Iraq: A preliminary statement. Sumer, 14(1104), e1108. Soriano, S., & Ploux, S. (2003). Umm el Tlel, une séquence du Paléolithique supérieur en Syrie centrale. Industries lithiques et chronologie culturelle. Paléorient, 29. Speth, J. D. (2014). The importance of Iran's Paleolithic record for unraveling key issues in human evolution. International Journal of the Society of Iranian Archaeologists, 1(1). Sumner, W. M. (1973). CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE KUR RIVER BASIN, IRAN. AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF SETTLEMENT PATTERNS. Tsanova, T. (2013). The beginning of the Upper Paleolithic in the Iranian Zagros. A taphonomic approach and techno-economic comparison of Early Baradostian assemblages from Warwasi and Yafteh (Iran). Journal of human evolution, 65(1), 39-64. Becerra-Valdivia, L., Douka, K., Comeskey, D., Bazgir, B., Conard, N. J., Marean, C. W., & Higham, T. F. (2017). Chronometric investigations of the Middle to Upper Paleolithic transition in the Zagros Mountains using AMS radiocarbon dating and Bayesian age modeling. Journal of human evolution, 109, 57-69. Young, T. C., & Smith, P. E. (1966). Research in the prehistory of central-western Iran. Science, 153(3734), 386-391. Ziffer, D. (1978). A re-evaluation of the Upper Palaeolithic industries at Kebara Cave and their place in the Aurignacian culture of the Levant. Paléorient, 273-293. In Tab19, the Upper Palaeolithic artifacts of Layer 4 (sub-layers 5 & 5II) conclude bladelets dominate, followed by blades, retouched tools, cortical pieces, by-products, bladelet cores, undetermined cores, pointed flakes, a blade core, and debris.

Date:23 Apr 2020 →  Today
Keywords:archaeology
Disciplines:Archaeology of art
Project type:PhD project