Archaeologists from Tajikistan and Israel have discovered a multi-layered archaeological site in Tajikistan's Zeravshan Valley that provides rare evidence of human settlement dating to between 20,000 and 150,000 years ago, Xinhua reported.
The study – the result of a collaboration between the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan – was published in the journal Antiquity.
Excavations at the site revealed numerous stone tools, animal bones, and ancient plant remains from the Middle and Late Paleolithic periods.
The authors of this study note that Central Asia remains “relatively understudied” from an archaeological perspective. They describe the site in the Zeravshan Valley as a valuable site for studying the Paleolithic diversity of the region.
Archaeologists hypothesize that the site, located along a Central Asian mountain system, may have served as a major transit route for ancient human populations.
Further research will include detailed analysis of stone and animal remains, as well as radiometric dating to better understand the historical significance of the site.
In a statement, the study authors said the research could provide new insights into early human development and migration in Central Asia, an important crossroads in human evolution.
/TS/
