SHANIDAR CAVE — SOLECKI 



405 



Iraq, was engaged on the project for more than 6 work weeks during 

 the fall and winter of 1951. Ahmad Mahdi, a staff member of the 

 Directorate General of Antiquities, represented his institution at 

 Shanidar the first season. Excavation was begun with a test trench 

 in the middle of the cave floor area. As the results of this preliminary 

 assessment seemed to be very promising, a grid plan of 5 feet (1.62 

 m.) was staked out for the areal control of the sounding (fig. 5). A 



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Figure 5. — Grid plan of Shanidar cave sounding. 



datum plane for vertical or depth control was established. The 

 sounding was excavated and screened by 6-inch (15.24-cm.) levels. 

 The 1951 sounding measured 15 by 20 feet (4.57 by 6.10 m.) in ground 

 plan, with a depth reaching to 25 feet (7.62 m.) in the deepest area. 

 The sounding was "stepped" back. 



Four major cultural layers were recognized as the result of the 

 first season's operation : Layers A, B, C, and D, from top downward 

 (pi. 3, a, 6; figs. 6, 7). Layer A, marked by a thick accumulation of 

 ash beds, hearths, and organic-stained soil, contained modern, historic 

 through probably "Neolithic" horizons. Layer B, a thinner zone of 



