Üçağızlı Cave

Why it mattersEarliest Upper Palaeolithic on Mediterranean Hatay coast, anchor for Neanderthal-to-modern transition and Nassarius exchange.

Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.

Built

Sea cave occupied c.43,000 BP

Period

Initial Upper Palaeolithic to Epipalaeolithic (c.43,000–17,000 BP)

Culture

Early Ahmarian → Aurignacian (Levantine IUP)

Builders

Early Ahmarian communities

Purpose

Upper Palaeolithic coastal forager camp with shell beads

Rediscovered

Modern archaeological survey/ rescue

Excavation

Excavation ongoing

1. c.43,000 BP

   Initial Upper Palaeolithic occupation

2. c.32,000 BP

   Nassarius bead horizon

3. 1997

   Kuhn-Stiner project starts

4. c.17,000 BP

   Epipalaeolithic final

• Üçağızlı Cave — West workshop

  gate

  Key sub-area of Üçağızlı Cave (Initial Upper Palaeolithic to Epipalaeolithic) showing Early Ahmarian horizon

  36.0952° N · 35.8873° E

• Üçağızlı Cave — Ceremonial building

  mound

  Key sub-area of Üçağızlı Cave (Initial Upper Palaeolithic to Epipalaeolithic) showing Early Ahmarian horizon

  36.0960° N · 35.8879° E

• Üçağızlı Cave — Storage quarter

  structure

  Key sub-area of Üçağızlı Cave (Initial Upper Palaeolithic to Epipalaeolithic) showing Early Ahmarian horizon

  36.0968° N · 35.8885° E