Darai Rockshelter

Darai Rockshelter, located in the Sirwan River valley of Kurdistan Province, Iran, is a significant Middle Paleolithic archaeological site. Discovered during the Darian Dam Archaeological Salvage Program in 2015 and excavated shortly thereafter, the site provided a wealth of information on Neanderthal habitation in the region. The deposits, approximately 2.30 meters thick, revealed two main cultural layers rich in fireplaces, faunal remains, and lithic assemblages. The lithic artifacts, predominantly produced through the Levallois and discoid methods, align with the Zagros Mousterian tradition. The faunal remains, mainly from goats and sheep, show evidence of anthropogenic activity. The site's archaeological significance lies in its contribution to understanding Middle Paleolithic habitation patterns and tool-making techniques in the Zagros region.