Afghanistan

Dasht-e Nawar

Palaeolithic stone tool site with fortifications

Location

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Historical Context

About

Dasht-e Nāwar, located in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, is a significant archaeological site known for its Palaeolithic heritage. Situated near a brackish lake, the area is notable for its stone tool assemblages predominantly made of obsidian, accounting for 98% of the tools found. These include cleavers, large scrapers, choppers, and microblades, with some attributed to the Lower Paleolithic and others resembling the Darra-i Kūr industry from the Middle Paleolithic. Additionally, the site features a large stone hill fortification, though its exact date remains uncertain. The presence of these artifacts highlights the technological advancements and adaptive strategies of early human societies in this region, making Dasht-e Nāwar an essential site for understanding prehistoric human activity in Afghanistan.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

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Lower Paleolithic stone tool production

3.3 million years ago – 300,000 years ago

Middle Paleolithic stone tool production

300,000 years ago – 50,000 years ago

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Defensive Structures

Hill Forts
category

Industrial and Craft Structures

Toolmakers’ Areas
Knowledge Base

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Reference

Details

Country

Afghanistan

Coordinates

33.68° N, 67.72° E