Sedimentology and Geoarchaeology of Paleolithic (Mousterian) Lithic Tools in Central Iran

Determining and studying collected lithic assemblages، biota remains and deposited beds (regarding to sedimentology) of two rock shelters in the age of Late Pleistocene to recent interval in central Iran were the aims of this research. Mobarekeh (Qaleh Bozi) and Yekeh Chah (near Golpayegan) are two sites in which remains of consumed and hunted biota by human were checked by this research. Lithic assemblages are studied considering their sources. Mousterian lithic assemblages from Qaleh Bozi caves and rock shelters (Hassan Abad Caves) are made of silica pebbles (limestone with Nummulite or cherty beds in the age of Paleocene to Eocene time interval) that hominids had collected from the Zayandeh Rud River in the Middle Paleolithic Period. Finally it should be stated that lithic artifacts in Yekeh Chah are mostly Quartzite sandy shale (probably belong to Jurassic). Black beds (charcoal lenses) in Qaleh Bozi and Yekeh Chah caves were sampled and washed for Determining biota remains and sedimentary components. All washed samples from two localities had remains of: burned wood (charcoal)، large vertebrate mammals (mostly horse)، vertebrate and micro vertebrates (fish، rodent، reptile and amphibian)، egg of birds، seeds and grass. SEM photos related to hunted and consumed birds’ beak and nails from Mobarekeh and Yekeh Chah confirmed that the food of man in those localities could be similar. This research is first report the presence of hunter-gatherer hominids in Central Iran (Mousterian). Lithic assemblages are collected from Separab Naein in the age of Mesolithic and from Tapeh Ashena (Chadegan) in the age of Neolithic as well.