Prehistoric Sites of the Khorramabad Valley

Brief synthesis The Prehistoric Sites of the Khorramabad Valley comprise five prehistoric caves and one rock shelter with evidence of human occupation dating back to 63,000 BP. These are the Kaldar, Ghamari, Gilvaran, Yafteh and Kunji caves, as well as the Gar Arjeneh Rock Shelter (component parts 1 to 6). The Khorramabad Valley is located in the Central Zagros Mountain Range, one of the key routes of human dispersal out of Africa. The numerous caves and rock shelters, ample water resources, rich fauna and flora, suitable stone sources for the tool industry, and relatively mild climate have created favourable conditions for human settlement since the Middle Palaeolithic period. Archaeological excavations and study of the artefacts excavated on the sites have established the scientific chronology of human development in the valley. The Mousterian layers in Kunji Cave testify to the domination of the Neanderthals in the valley during the Middle Palaeolithic. During the transition between the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic periods, anatomically modern humans arrived in the valley, expanded their settlements and eventually supplanted the Neanderthals, illustrating the earliest transition phase in the Zagros region, which shed light on the debate over human migration routes out of Africa into Eurasia. The pendants and other decorative objects discovered at the sites, the evidence of using ochre pigments, as well as a decorated piece of terracotta mark the emergence of human cognitive behaviour and belief systems. The shell pendants were possibly sourced from the Persian Gulf, indicating the existence of communication and exchange routes between the Khorramabad Valley and the lowlands of the Persian Gulf during the Upper Palaeolithic period. Large numbers and varieties of stone tools discovered at the sites bear witness to the sophisticated stone tool technologies of the Baradostian culture that surpassed contemporaneous developments in the Zagros Mountains. Criterion (iii): The Prehistoric Sites of the Khorramabad Valley, with the shell pendants sourced from the distant Persian Gulf and ornaments fashioned from deer canine teeth, are an outstanding manifestation of the emergence and evolution of symbolic communication, a crucial aspect of modern human cognitive development. This evidence, alongside sophisticated stone tool technologies, is an exceptional testimony to the Upper Palaeolithic Baradostian culture on a global scale. The caves and shelters bear witness to the domination of the Neanderthals, to the arrival and expansion of the anatomically modern humans who eventually supplanted the Neanderthals in the valley, and provide insight into the migratory route of human dispersal out of Africa. Integrity The prehistoric sites collectively illustrate the multifaceted life of the prehistoric communities and their evolution, and, individually, each of the six component parts contributes to the overall Outstanding Universal Value in a substantial, scientific, readily defined and discernible way. Each component part has been well preserved with affecting factors under control, and the buffer zones provide an additional layer of protection. Despite the development of human settlements in the Khorramabad Valley and the gradual urbanisation of the area, the component parts have maintained their spatial relationships with their relatively undisturbed surrounding environment. Authenticity The prehistoric sites are authentic in their location, natural forms, and settings. Natural vegetation, seasonal and permanent rivers, water springs and historical paths have been maintained in these spaces. The archaeological resources are largely undisturbed, constituting a vast authentic knowledge reservoir for future research. Protection and management requirements All the component parts have been included on the National Monuments List, conforming to the legislation in force, and are governed, together with their buffer zones, by specific regulations inherent to their protected heritage status. The Iranian Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts (IMCHTH) is responsible for their research, conservation, monitoring, and management. These activities are implemented through the Research Base, which is a decentralised multi-disciplinary centre reporting to the IMCHTH and the management entity of the property. The management plan sets out management objectives and an action plan with short-, medium- and long-term conservation measures to preserve the values and maintain the integrity and authenticity of the property. The legal and management systems in place ensure the long-term preservation of the property and its immediate and wider setting, which is important to sustain and understand the Outstanding Universal Value of the property.