Qaleh Kurd cave (Persian: غار قلعهکُرد) is the oldest archaeological site discovered in Iran[1]. The cave is located at the very western limit of the Iranian Central Plateau, not far from the village of Qaleh in Qazvin province, surrounded by the Alborz and Zagros mountains.
Persian: غار قلعهکُرد | |
  Shown within Iran | |
| Location | Qazvin province, Iran |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 35°47′50″N 48°51′26″E / 35.7972°N 48.8572°E |
| Altitude | 2,137 m (7,011 ft) |
Name
editThe name in Persian language means the castle of Kurd and has been transcribed to English as Qaleh Kurd[1][2], Ghaleh Kord[3] and Ghaleh Kurd.
Archeological importance
editQaleh Kurd Cave is the oldest prehistoric site in Iran where traces of human activities dating back to the Middle Pleistocene have been discovered. Indeed, the results of analyzes concerning different archaeological assemblages in the cave are dated between -452.000 and -165.000 years ago[1].
These discoveries make this site, from a regional and chronological point of view, a key site for the knowledge of the first human settlements and their dispersion between the Levant and Asia.
The cave is known for its archeological importance especially for the discovery in situ of Chibanian archaeological assemblages. There have been multiple excavations in the Qaleh Kurd cave performed by different teams. During these excavations numerous artifacts have been discovered that include human remains, animal bones and neolithic artifacts.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b c Vahdati Nasab, H.; Berillon, G.; Hashemi, S. M.; Bahain, J.J.; Sévêque, N.; Jayez, M.; Bonilauri, S.; Jamet, G.; Kharazian, M. A.; Nateghi, A.; Abdollahi, A.; Antoine, P.; Beheshti, I.; Boulbes, N.; Chapon-Sao, C.; Gallet, X.; Falguères, C.; Garbé, L.; Kazzazi, M.; Zavar Mousavi, A.; Nematollahinia, Sareh.; Özçelebi, J.; Stoetzel, O.; Tomberet, O.; Zeitoun, V. (2024-05-23). "Qaleh Kurd Cave (Qazvin, Iran): Oldest Evidence of Middle Pleistocene Hominin Occupations and a Human Deciduous Tooth in the Iranian Central Plateau". Journal of Paleolithic Archaeology. 7 (1). doi:10.1007/s41982-024-00180-4.
- ^ Shoaee, M. J.; Breeze, P. S.; Drake, N. A.; Hashemi, S. M.; Vahdati Nasab, H.; Breitenbach, S. F. M.; Stevens, T.; Boivin, N.; Petraglia, M. D. (2023-03-01). Iovita, R. (ed.). "Defining paleoclimatic routes and opportunities for hominin dispersals across Iran". PLOS ONE. 18 (3): e0281872. Bibcode:2023PLoSO..1881872S. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0281872. PMC 9977010. PMID 36857333.
- ^ "Avaj holds potential to become a tourism hub". Tehran Times. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
- ^ Kamrani, Z.; Vahdati Nasab, H.; Bonilauri, S.; Hashemi Sarvandi, S. M.; Jayez, M.; Akhavan Kharrazian, M.; Beheshti, S. I.; Berillon, G. (2023-02-20). "Techno-typological Analysis of Qaleh Kurd Cave Lithic Industries, Aavaj, Qazvin". Quaternary Journal of Iran (in Persian). 8 (3, 4). doi:10.22034/irqua.2023.705430.