Shanidar Cave
شاندر · Shanadar Cave · Shānidar
Middle Palaeolithic to Neolithic (c.80,000–9000 BP; Neanderthal Layer D c.70–50 ka)·Mousterian Neanderthal → Baradostian → Zarzian → Neolithic·🇮🇶 Erbil Governorate, Barzan, Zagros foothills / Greater Zab, Iraq
About
About Shanidar Cave
Large cave in the Zagros 80 km NW of Erbil on the Greater Zab, excavated by Ralph Solecki 1951–60 and re-excavated by Graeme Barker. Mousterian Layer D yielded nine Neanderthals — Shanidar 4 'flower burial', crippled Shanidar 1 and infant. Baradostian and Zarzian Upper Palaeolithic above. Iconic for Neanderthal symbolism debate.
Why it mattersNine Neanderthal skeletons including famous 'flower burial' (Shanidar 4) and Shanidar 1 crippled elder — textbook for Neanderthal compassion and ritual.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Flower burial — intentional pollen or animal burrow?
Theories
- 01Solecki flower ritual vs Sommer burrow contamination model
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Natural limestone cave occupied by Neanderthals c.80,000 BP
- Period
- Middle Palaeolithic to Neolithic (c.80,000–9000 BP; Neanderthal Layer D c.70–50 ka)
- Culture
- Mousterian Neanderthal → Baradostian → Zarzian → Neolithic
- Builders
- Mousterian Neanderthal communities
- Purpose
- Neanderthal burial cave and later Upper Palaeolithic shelter
- Rediscovered
- Modern archaeological survey/ rescue
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.70,000 BP
Mousterian Neanderthal occupation (Layer D)
c.50,000 BP
Shanidar 4 flower burial
1951
Solecki first season
2015
Barker re-excavation finds new Neanderthal
On the ground
Structures & features
36.8348° N · 44.2191° E · 740 m · 3 mapped features
Shanidar Cave — South terrace
terraceKey sub-area of Shanidar Cave (Middle Palaeolithic to Neolithic) showing Mousterian Neanderthal horizon
36.8341° N · 44.2187° EShanidar Cave — East gate
storageKey sub-area of Shanidar Cave (Middle Palaeolithic to Neolithic) showing Mousterian Neanderthal horizon
36.8349° N · 44.2193° EShanidar Cave — West workshop
dwellingKey sub-area of Shanidar Cave (Middle Palaeolithic to Neolithic) showing Mousterian Neanderthal horizon
36.8357° N · 44.2199° E
Gallery