Palaeolithic Cave in Western Iran Being Explored

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Ilâm

 Archaeologists have embarked on groundbreaking explorations on a rock shelter from the Palaeolithic age in the western Iranian province of Ilam.

This marks the first time after the Islamic revolution that studies are carried out on a Palaeolithic site in western Iran.

Head of the Kal Anar shelter explorations team Fereydun Biglari said preliminary findings suggest the place was used as a makeshift game place by hunters some 14,000-16,000 years ago.

Remains of the late Palaeolithic hunting communities have been found in places near Kermanshah, Khorramabad and Halilan in the Ilam province.

Biglari noted the concentration of Palaeolithic sites in the Ilam province provides Archaeologists with study opportunities aimed at gathering information on settlements, hunting, food collection and tools making methods in late Palaeolithic age in the Zagros mountain area.

In addition to Archaeological studies in the Kal Anar shelter, environmental studies are also underway in the Quchali mountain pass where the historical sites are located.

The geological features of the area mean that there are several similar ancient caves and shelters. The Kal Anar shelter and some other historical sites in the area have already been inscribed on the national heritage list.