Inside a cave, in an area known for its archaeological importance, archaeologists discovered artefacts 450,000 years old. What they found may change our understanding of the early lives of people in the region.
The research is done in Gors Valley, Kızılepe, Mardin City, Turkey. Archaeologists discovered the artifacts in Ulukoy Cave. The excavation, led by researchers from Mardin City’s Artuklu University (MAU), has brought to light evidence that could change what we know about how the first people lived in the area.
Revealing the achievements of history
The cave is 23 meters long and 16 meters deep. It was the main point of interest of the archaeological excavations aimed at the discovery of the earliest signs of life. According to the excavation’s scientific adviser, Associate Professor Ergul Kodas, surface investigations have shown that the cave contained remains from the Paleolithic Age, more than 20,000 years ago, in the past.
The Gors Valley, in Mardin, has turned up historical finds from the Late Roman, Early Byzantine, Seljuk Turk and Ottoman periods, and has been the focus of many archaeological studies.
After the surface study conducted under the leadership of Associate Professor Kodas, in 2002, a salvage excavation began, under the auspices of the Mardin Museum. The excavation team, which is made up of archaeologists, anthropologists, student volunteers, made important discoveries in the first period of the excavations, containing artefacts 200,000 years old.
This year, the team dug even deeper, uncovering artifacts from the Paleolithic Age, estimated to be 450,000 years old. Kodas explained that “The initial investigations led us to the belief that the site dates back to before 20,000 BC”.
Deeper excavations brought to light new layers that significantly extended this time limit, revealing that the site was inhabited until 450,000 to 500,000 years ago.
The new layers and artefacts discovered mark the end of the Achelian Period.
Glimpses of Early Human Life
The artefacts found in Ulukoy Cave are mainly stone and bone, which sheds light on the diet and lifestyle of the first inhabitants of the area. Kodas emphasized the importance of the findings, noting that they provide valuable information about the animal population and daily life of the people of the period.
Among the discoveries were stone tools of the Acheulo-Yabrudian cultural complex and a cluster of archaeological cultures in the Levant, at the end of the Lower Paleolithic Age, which are usually found in the Levant and Syria region and which date back more than 200,000 years.
These findings, together with those of the Achaelian Period, testify to a wider cultural connection between southeastern Anatolia and the routes leading to Africa.
Humal Industry, the 1st in Anatolia
One of the most defining discoveries was the findings of the Humal industry, a tradition that, until now, was only reported in Syria. It is the first time that artefacts of this kind have been discovered in Anatolia.
Kodas explained: “The findings of the cave Ulukoyhave provided us with tools associated with the Humal industry, especially the elongated, blade-shaped tools, made of flint or obsidian. The discovery verifies the cultural connections between this region and the passage to the Levant.”
Exploring Ulukoy Cave
The Ulukoy Cave is special, as the first site in Northern Mesopotamia to be subjected exclusively to Paleolithic excavation. While the area has been the subject of many Neolithic studies, the recent one marks a distinct milestone for Paleolithic study.
According to Kodas: “Surface studies have been carried out throughout southeastern Anatolia, but the Ulukoy is the first excavation in a cave exclusively dedicated to Stone Age”.
“The materials that came to light from this excavation lead us to a better understanding of other, nearby settlements, making this particular discovery valuable. Although extensive studies have been carried out in the Neolithic period in Southeast Anatolia, this is the first substantial excavation of the Paleolithic period.
The findings from the ongoing excavations are invaluable, and Kodas emphasizes the importance of future research in further exploring and understanding the settlement and the region. “The data we have collected so far is extremely important, while the excavations we are planning for the next few years will help us better understand this ancient site.” explains.
Kodas expressed his gratitude to the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Mardin City Government, the Kiziltepe Regional Government and the Mardin Museum for their support, which led to the discoveries.
Source: www.enikos.gr
