Iran unearths 8,000-year-old Neolithic monument in Kermanshah, shedding new light on early human settlements

The recent discovery of a Neolithic monument in Harsin County, Kermanshah Province, Iran, is a significant archaeological find that sheds light on early human settlements in the region. The site, identified as a “circular structure,” is believed to date back approximately 8,000 years to the Neolithic era. This structure likely served ritualistic purposes, reflecting the architectural and cultural practices of that time. The excavation was carried out by a team from the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Organization of Iran.

The monument contributes to a broader understanding of early human civilization in the Zagros Mountains, an area already known for its rich archaeological sites. For instance, Kermanshah is home to the Bisotun Inscription and the Taq-e Bostan rock reliefs, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, highlighting the region’s historical significance. The Behistun Inscription, in particular, provides a detailed record of the conquests of Darius the Great in three different languages, making it an invaluable resource for historians.

Additionally, the region’s natural attractions, such as the Parau Cave, known as the “Everest of the Caves” due to its depth and difficulty, and the Quri Qale Cave, Asia’s largest water cave, add to Kermanshah’s allure for both historians and adventurers. The Zagros Paleolithic Museum in Kermanshah also offers a comprehensive display of artifacts from the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods, further contextualizing the recent find within the broader scope of human history in the area.

Prehistoric and Neolithic periods

• 10,000 BCE: Göbekli Tepe, Turkey – The world’s oldest known temple complex, predating Stonehenge by several millennia. Discovered in the 1990s, it changed the understanding of early human societies and religious practices​
• 8000 BCE: Jericho, Palestine – Considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with evidence of early urban settlement and fortifications​
• 8000 BCE: Neolithic Monument in Harsin County, Iran – Recent discovery of a circular structure believed to have been used for rituals, shedding light on early human settlements in the Zagros Mountains​

Bronze age

• 3000 BCE: Uruk, Iraq – One of the first major cities in the world, featuring ziggurats, writing (cuneiform), and advanced urban planning​
• 2500 BCE: Royal Tombs of Ur, Iraq – Excavated in the 1920s and 1930s, these tombs revealed a wealth of artifacts, including the famous Standard of Ur and intricate jewelry​

Iron Age

• 1300 BCE: Amarna Letters, Egypt – Discovered in the late 19th century, these clay tablets provide valuable insight into diplomatic relations between ancient Egypt and neighboring states​
• 1200 BCE: Ugarit, Syria – Site of an ancient port city that yielded the Ugaritic texts, offering insights into early alphabetic writing and Canaanite religion​

Classical Antiquity

• 800 BCE: Assyrian Palaces, Iraq – Excavations at sites like Nimrud and Nineveh have uncovered grand palaces, reliefs, and libraries, including the famous Library of Ashurbanipal​
• 500 BCE: Persepolis, Iran – The ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, excavated in the 1930s, showcasing monumental architecture and intricate reliefs​

Late Antiquity and Early Middle Ages

• 300 CE: Dura-Europos, Syria – A well-preserved Roman frontier city, providing unique insights into early Christian and Jewish communities, including one of the oldest known Christian churches​
• 500 CE: Qusayr Amra, Jordan – A desert castle from the Umayyad period, famous for its well-preserved frescoes depicting secular and caliphal life​

Modern Discoveries

• 1947: Dead Sea Scrolls, Israel – Found in the Qumran Caves, these ancient Jewish texts have profound implications for the study of the Hebrew Bible and the origins of Christianity​
• 1974: Ebla Tablets, Syria – Discovered in Tell Mardikh, these tablets date back to the 3rd millennium BCE and provide insight into early Semitic languages and cultures​
• 1993: Çatalhöyük, Turkey – A large Neolithic and Chalcolithic proto-city settlement, offering invaluable information on early urban life and social structures

These discoveries have significantly contributed to the understanding of human history and the development of early civilizations in the Middle East.

ALSO READ: Iran gears up to host 15th Nanotechnology Exhibition