Har Karkom sites by periods

Palaeolithic period

The most important feature of Palaeolithic ages at Har Karkom is the presence of several sites primarily lying on the surface, due to the desert conditions, that allow the investigation of site morphology related to the prehistoric culture in a large number of sites. The survey of the Palaeolithic started in 1990, since a specific study group was formed to record and investigate the Palaeolithic sites. In total, 245 sites were recorded, Lower Palaeolithic flint implements having been found in 44 sites, Middle Palaeolithic in 136 and Upper Palaeolithic in 134 sites. More than one Palaeolithic culture was recorded in several sites.

On the top of the plateau, the remains of 165 Palaeolithic sites are still lying on the ground surface, about 8 squared Km, with a density of about 20 sites/squared Km. On the contrary, the density of Palaeolithic sites in the surroundings of the mountain does not exceed 1 site/squared Km. Therefore, the systematic survey of Palaeolithic sites was primarily directed to Har Karkom plateau.