SKELETONS FROM SHANIDAR CAVE—SOLECKI 613 
soil with many fragments of limestone and rockmeal was observed in 
the 3.75-4.00 m. level. Some fragmentary bones, provisionally iden- 
tified as mammal, were found at this depth. A hearth was observed 
in the northwest part of the section. In general, at a depth of 4.00- 
4.25 m., still above the skeletal remains, the soil was a yellow-brown 
sandy loam and contained many limestone fragments. Fragmentary 
mammal bones, some of which showed traces of burning, were noted 
and collected. Ata depth of about 4.15 m., directly over the skeleton, 
in the left-central part of square A 7, there were a number of smaller- 
sized limestone rocks loosely clustered together in an ovate heap (fig. 
5). They consisted of angular, blocky, portable-sized stones, consti- 
tuting a loose group when compared with normal rockfall concentra- 
tions. ‘The soil among these stones was a loose brown sandy loam, 
forming a contrast with the yellow-brown sandy loam above. I raised 
the question early in my notes whether these stones were part of a rock- 
fall or were intentionally placed over the skeleton. Rockmeal, usually 
associated with rockfalls, was absent. Altogether the stones over the 
skeleton weighed probably not more than a couple of tons. It looked 
like an unusual pocket of smaller stones among a lot of larger stones— 
a cluster superimposed upon a layer. 
The area to the immediate north and sides of the cluster appeared 
to be relatively clear of stones, as though they had been removed and 
piled ina heap. The soil just to the north of the heap of stones was 
a very dense and compact yellow loam, which contrasted with the 
brown loose soil in the stone covering. The yellow loam contained 
occasional flecks of charcoal, perhaps washed in from above. 
The stones just to the south and southeast of the heap were part 
of the compact layer, with no brown soil between them. Instead, the 
soil around these massive blocks was composed of rockmeal. Unlike 
the stones in the heap, these stones were removed with considerable 
difficulty. 
When the first few stones were picked off the heap, it was found 
that a number of well-preserved but fragmentary mammal bones 
were scattered among them (fig. 6). These included two ribs, some 
vertebrae, and several incisors. A large unidentified bone lying to 
the northwest and at a slightly higher elevation than the skull had 
been squashed as flat as tissue. Some flint flakes also were recovered, 
among them one which was broad and had a faceted basal platform ; 
this was a Mousterian type. 
There were abundant indications that Shanidar I was associated 
with an occupational horizon. The bones lay on a dark-brown soil 
zone containing flecks of charcoal, fragmentary mammal bones, and 
flint flakes. Under the sekeleton this layer measured 10 cm. thick. 
- Below this the soil changed sharply to a lighter brown color. At 
least two hearths were found just below the skeletal remains. One 
