A preliminary initiative aimed at scanning the surface material in an Iraqi desert unearthed a remarkable array of 850 distinct artifacts hailing from the Old and Middle Paleolithic epochs. Among the treasures discovered were ancient stone hand axes dating back a staggering 1.5 million years. This cache of relics offers a tantalizing glimpse into the early human activities that once thrived in this region.
The endeavor to delve into the archaeological surface material of the Iraqi Western Desert proved to be a resounding success, yielding a bounty of finds from the Old and Middle Paleolithic eras. This impressive discovery, amounting to 850 diverse Stone Age artifacts, prompted archaeologist Ella Egberts to laud the project as a “huge success,” as reported by Vrije University Brussel.
Scouring the landscape, the team pinpointed seven Paleolithic sites within a relatively compact area spanning just six by 12 miles. Focusing their efforts on one specific site characterized by a desiccated lakebed intersected by a dry riverbed, Egberts and her colleagues meticulously collected over 850 artifacts, including the ancient hand axes potentially dating back 1.5 million years.
Egberts expressed her enthusiasm for delving deeper into the other sites, advocating for a systematic investigation that she believes will likely yield similar quantities of lithic material. The archaeologists’ surface-level exploration, devoid of extensive excavations, managed to unearth an array of stone tools, with the hand axes standing out alongside the relatively recent Levallois flakes—hand tools estimated to date back between 300,000 and 50,000 years.
Employing a strategic analysis of the sites’ distribution and delving into the region’s geomorphological history, Egberts and her team discerned compelling evidence of early human utilization of the landscape. Proposing an expansion of research across a broader expanse, Egberts envisions this approach as a means to gain fresh insights into the progression of human evolution and behavior within the context of the Arabian Peninsula.
Reflecting on the challenges faced by research endeavors in Iraq due to regional instability in recent decades, Egberts highlighted the seamless operation of their project, supported by funding from the British Institute for the Study of Iraq. Despite encountering numerous checkpoints, the team encountered no impediments, with Egberts commending the local populace for their hospitality and the conducive working environment in Iraq.
Encouraged by the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage to persevere, Egberts is resolute in her commitment to continuing the research. With aspirations to secure the requisite funding, she aims to reconstruct a comprehensive picture depicting Pleistocene environmental transformations and the early manifestations of human presence and behavior in the Western Desert—encompassing the intriguing artifacts of hand axes and Levallois flakes.
