Time Periods
Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Time Periods
Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Location
About
Shanidar Cave, located in the Zagros Mountains of northern Iraq, is a significant archaeological site known for its extensive Neanderthal remains. The site features a large cave that served as a habitation space and burial ground for Neanderthals between approximately 65,000 and 35,000 years ago. Key finds include the well-preserved Shanidar 1, a Neanderthal male who exhibited signs of severe injury and possible care by his community, and Shanidar 4, known for the 'flower burial' which suggested ritualistic behavior. The cave also contains a proto-Neolithic cemetery dating back to around 10,600 BCE. The presence of various cultural layers, including Mousterian and Baradostian, along with Neolithic deposits, highlights the cave's long-term occupation and its role in understanding human and Neanderthal evolution, subsistence practices, and social behaviors.
Gallery
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Archaeological Features
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Burial and Funerary Structures
Domestic and Habitation Structures
Environmental and Natural Features
Historical Timeline
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Plan Your Visit
Details
- Country
- Iraq
- Source
- Wikipedia
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