Do-Ashkaft Cave

The Do-Ashkaft Cave, situated near Kermanshah, Iran, is an archaeologically significant Middle Paleolithic site. Its main chamber measures 23 meters deep and 15 meters wide, with evidence of water percolation affecting sediment deposition. The cave's entrance has yielded numerous Middle Paleolithic artifacts, including side-scrapers and a Mousterian point, alongside animal bones indicative of human activity. The bones suggest the presence of Neanderthal occupants who utilized local raw materials for tool-making. A later survey expanded the understanding of the area's prehistory, identifying Upper Paleolithic and subsequent lithic assemblages. The site's archaeological significance is enhanced by its contribution to understanding the paleo-environmental sequence from the late Middle Pleistocene to the Holocene, providing valuable insights into prehistoric human behavior and adaptation in the region.