🇮🇷 Iran · Cave
Ghar-e Boof
Middle Palaeolithic to Epipalaeolithic (c.80,000–15,000 BP) · Zagros Mousterian → Baradostian → Zarzian
Dasht-e Boof Palaeolithic shelter 2 m (80–15 ka, Neanderthal parietal, Zarzian microliths) at 1350 m.
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CategoriesCaves
Caverns used as shelter, sanctuary or burial place — and often painted.
🇹🇷 Turkey · Cave
Epipalaeolithic to Early Chalcolithic (c.14,000–5500 BCE) · Anatolian Epipalaeolithic → Aceramic Neolithic → Chalcolithic
Lycian karst cave (14 ka) with Epipalaeolithic burials to Aceramic Neolithic herding above Fethiye.
🇮🇷 Iran · Cave
Middle Palaeolithic to Epipalaeolithic (c.80,000–15,000 BP) · Zagros Mousterian → Baradostian → Zarzian
Dasht-e Boof Palaeolithic shelter 2 m (80–15 ka, Neanderthal parietal, Zarzian microliths) at 1350 m.
🇸🇴 Somalia · Archaeological wonder
Neolithic Pastoral (c.5000–3000 BCE; dated by stratum ceramics) · Early Cushitic Pastoral Neolithic / Horn of Africa pastoralists
Exceptionally preserved Neolithic rock art shelters discovered 2002 by French team (Xavier Gutherz): 10 granite alcoves with polychrome paintings 5000–3000 BCE – long-horned cattle with udders,…
🇮🇷 Iran · Cave
Middle to Upper Palaeolithic (c.70,000–30,000 BP) · Zagros Mousterian → Baradostian
Lorestan cave 8 m deposits (70–30 ka, Mousterian→Baradostian, Neanderthal→UP) near Khorramabad.
🇮🇱 Israel · Ancient city
Middle Palaeolithic to Natufian (c.200 ka–9600 BCE) · Mousterian → Aurignacian → Natufian
Karst cave at the mouth of Nahal Me’arot, type site of the Natufian culture (excavated Dorothy Garrod 1929–1934). 4 m st...
🇹🇷 Turkey · Cave
Lower Palaeolithic to Byzantine (500,000 BP–1200 CE) · Tayacian/Clactonian → Acheulean → Mousterian → Upper Palaeolithic
Anatolia's oldest cave (500 ka) at Antalya — Tayacian to Mousterian with Neanderthal and hippo fauna.
🇮🇶 Iraq · Cave
Middle Palaeolithic to Neolithic (c.80,000–9000 BP; Neanderthal Layer D c.70–50 ka) · Mousterian Neanderthal → Baradostian → Zarzian → Neolithic
Zagros Neanderthal cave (80 ka) with nine burials including 'flower burial' Shanidar 4.
🇹🇷 Turkey · Cave
Upper Palaeolithic to Early Neolithic (c.21,000–6000 BCE; intensive 17,000–11,800 cal BP) · Anatolian Epipalaeolithic → Early Neolithic
Epipalaeolithic flagship 900 m from Karain (17–11.8 ka) with engraved plaquettes and marine network.
🇮🇱 Israel · Ancient city
Middle Palaeolithic to Chalcolithic (c.250 ka–3500 BCE) · Mousterian → Aurignacian → Kebaran → Natufian → Chalcolithic
Multi-period cave (6 m deposits) above the Hayonim terrace, excavated by Tamar Noy and Anna Belfer-Cohen. Sequence Moust...
🇮🇱 Israel · Ancient city
Middle to Upper Palaeolithic (c.55000–16000 BCE) · Late Mousterian → Aurignacian → Kebaran/Geometric Kebaran
Active Levantine cave site (55 ka–16 ka) in the Galilee karst, excavated by Ofer Marder and Omry Barzilai. Mousterian th...
🇹🇷 Turkey · Cave
Lower Palaeolithic to Middle Ages (c.400,000 BP–1400 CE) · Acheulean → Mousterian → Neolithic (Fikirtepe) → Byzantine
Bosphorus Palaeolithic twin cave (400 ka) with Acheulean and Fikirtepe burials on Küçükçekmece.
🇮🇱 Israel · Ancient city
Late Natufian (c.15000–11800 BCE) · Natufian
Late Natufian burial cave (c.15000–11800 BCE) on Mount Carmel, excavated by Dani Nadel. Dense Natufian cemetery with dec...
🇹🇷 Turkey · Cave
Initial Upper Palaeolithic to Epipalaeolithic (c.43,000–17,000 BP) · Early Ahmarian → Aurignacian (Levantine IUP)
Hatay sea cave (43 ka) — Initial Upper Palaeolithic Ahmarian with Nassarius beads.
🇮🇱 Israel · Ancient city
Middle Palaeolithic to Natufian (c.60000–12000 BCE) · Mousterian (Neanderthal) → Aurignacian → Kebaran → Natufian
Deep Mount Carmel cave with 15 m stratified sequence from Middle Palaeolithic (Mousterian, Neanderthal ‘Kebara 2’ pelvis...
