Excavations in the "Gunpowder Barrel": Archaeologists discovered Paleolithic artifacts in western Iraq (photos included).

In the western part of the Iraqi desert, archaeologists have discovered hand axes estimated to be 1.5 million years old and identified seven Paleolithic sites within an area of 10 by 20 kilometers. This finding sheds new light on the ancient history of the region and human activity, writes Arkeonews.

Ella Egberts, a geoarchaeologist from the Free University of Brussels (VUB), conducted field research in Iraq as part of a project aimed at studying archaeological materials on the surface in the Al-Shabaka area. The goal was to explore the region's history and assess the preservation status of archaeological sites containing artifacts from the Lower and Middle Paleolithic periods.

"As a result of targeted fieldwork, we were able to discover seven Paleolithic sites over an area of 10 by 20 km," stated Egberts. "One of them has been selected for systematic study to determine the spatial distribution of Paleolithic materials and to conduct preliminary technological and typological analysis."

The research area was once a large lake but has since dried up, leaving behind ancient riverbeds. Researchers found over 850 artifacts, including hand axes from the Early Paleolithic and Levallois flakes from the Middle Paleolithic.

Egberts highlighted the potential for further research: "Other sites also merit the same thorough systematic investigation, which will undoubtedly yield a similar amount of material."

The scientist also added that studying the distribution of artifacts in these areas provides valuable information about how ancient humans utilized the landscape. Future studies will cover a broader territory, including detailed technological and typological analyses of the artifacts. The results obtained will contribute to a deeper understanding of human evolution and behavior on the Arabian Peninsula.

In addition to excavations, the project included an educational component. Three Iraqi archaeology students participated in the fieldwork, gaining practical skills in geoarchaeology and the study of the Paleolithic. After the fieldwork was completed, a seminar was held at Al-Qadisiyah University, where more students and scholars learned about the significance of Iraq's Paleolithic heritage.

Egberts reported that despite the complex geopolitical situation in Iraq, often referred to as a "powder keg," the research proceeded smoothly: "Despite the numerous checkpoints, we were able to carry out our work without issues. The people are friendly, and working in Iraq is actually very pleasant. Initially, at the beginning of last year, we had to postpone our expedition due to warnings about potential dangers related to the war in Gaza."

In the future, Egberts plans to continue her research to reconstruct Pleistocene environmental changes and early human activities in the Western Desert. This collaborative initiative strengthens global archaeological partnerships while simultaneously uncovering new knowledge about Iraq's prehistoric past.

We also reported on a "rhinoceros" beneath the highway. Archaeologists discovered a 1500-year-old stone coffin from the Roman era, weighing 750 kilograms.