Geological Studies in Esfahan Palaeolithic Cave - CAIS Archaeological & Cultural News of Iranian World©

LONDON, (CAIS) -- Geological studies on a 15,000-year-old cave in Esfahan will begin soon, head of the archaeology team for the study of the cave said.

Mohsen Javari told ISNA Persian Service that a group of geologists from Geology Faculty of Esfahan University would jointly work with experts from provincial Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department on the project.

According to the official, preliminary stratigraphic studies had so far been conducted on the Palaeolithic cave found in Esfahan last year.

The Palaeolithic Period begins about 750,000 years ago and lasts until the beginning of the Mesolithic Age, about 15,000 years ago.

The group would study issues pertaining to geological environment during this year’s operations which is to start in late summer, he expanded.

Javari, who is also head of the department’s Archaeology Office, explained that historic objects discovered in the cave date back to the Palaeolithic era. The tools include axes and stone blades in different sizes used by early inhabitants.

He said the world’s oldest discovered caves go back to the Middle Palaeolithic age--the time period of Neanderthal men which ended about 35,000 years BCE.

The official stated that most studies carried out on the cave were to compare it with caves located elsewhere in the world.

Terming Esfahan’s two discovered caves as ’unique,’ Javari pointed out that experts are scouring other parts of Esfahan for human remains dating back to the age.

The Palaeolithic cave is located 30 km southwest of the capital city of Esfahan

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