The Paleolithic of Iran

Understanding the emergence of modern humans and the disappearance of Neanderthals: Insights from Kaldar Cave (Khorramabad Valley, Western Iran)

“…In conflict with the statement by Tsanova 15 that the Iranian Zagros cannot be the source of bladelet technology and cultural modernity as the Warwasi rockshelter lacks both radiocarbon dates and evidence of antecedent blade technology, strong evidence indicates that the Zagros assemblages are not merely blade-based. Over 90 sites contain evidence of clear blade(let) production (defined as the Rostamian tradition), and these tools are all similar to and associated with those from the well-stratified Ghare-Boof locality 8 9 10 11 .…”

“…Locally, the early phase of the technocomplex associated with early AMHs is known as the Baradostian. The early Upper Palaeolithic assemblages are also known as the Rostamian, which is defined as a bladelet-based technocomplex 8 9 10 11 . Although Conard et al view the Rostamian as an industry distinct from the Baradostian 11 , both terms refer to the early Upper Palaeolithic in the Zagros region.…”

“…However, the discovery of over 90 sites in the southern Zagros mostly associated with bladelet-based technologies—one of which dates to 40,000 cal. BP—suggests that the technology in the region featured a high degree of complexity 5 8 9 10 11 .…”

The Kulbulak Bladelet Tradition in The Upper Paleolithic of Central Asia

“…Recently a new culture was described in western Iran, named Rostamian. A series of uncalibrated dates for its key site, Ghar-e Boof, is within the 37-31 ka BP period (Conard, Ghasidian, 2011). The Ghar-e Boof industry appears to be very close to the Baradostian.…”

Shanidar Cave and the Baradostian, a Zagros Aurignacian industry

“…Until new investigations at Shanidar Cave began in 2015, the main focus of study of the materials from the cave has been the Neanderthal skeletal remains (Trinkaus 1983) and associated sediments and artefacts. Elsewhere in the region, however, subsequent work has revealed Zagros-based derivatives of both Mousterian and Aurignacian industries (Conard et al 2013;Heydari-Guran 2014;Olszewski 1999;Olszewski & Dibble 1994, 2006Otte 2010;Otte & Biglari 2004;Otte & Kozlowski 2007;Piperno 1974;Rosenberg 1985). Work at a number of sites in Iran has recovered Middle and Upper Palaeolithic materials and, at a limited number of sites, associated human remains.…”