KARA KAMAR, Sarqia-i- Afghania 1
36.400000,67.883300
Description
Kara Kamar (note 1), a south facing rock shelter in probably Cretaceous limestone (note 2), is the first Stone Age site in Afghanistan to be scientifically excavated (note 3). The more than 20 m wide entrance, at an overhang of about 6 m (COON 1954), is curved like a crescent moon, or like a huge mouth smiling (COON 1957a: 234). The cave plan (in COON 1957a: 240) shows a few narrow leads (penetrable?) in the back of the shelter. SITUATION: At an altitude of 975 m (COON & RALPH 1955: 921) in the flank of a mountain (note 4), about 125 m above the village of Sarqia-i- Afghania (note 5), and on the road from Aybak (Haibak) to Kholm (Khulm =Tashqurghan, Tashkurgan Tachqourghan) and Mazar-i- Sharif.Kara Kamar (note 1), a south facing rock shelter in probably Cretaceous limestone (note 2), is the first Stone Age site in Afghanistan to be scientifically excavated (note 3). The more than 20 m wide entrance, at an overhang of about 6 m (COON 1954), is curved like a crescent moon, or like a huge mouth smiling (COON 1957a: 234). The cave plan (in COON 1957a: 240) shows a few narrow leads (penetrable?) in the back of the shelter. SITUATION: At an altitude of 975 m (COON & RALPH 1955: 921) in the flank of a mountain (note 4), about 125 m above the village of Sarqia-i- Afghania (note 5), and on the road from Aybak (Haibak) to Kholm (Khulm =Tashqurghan, Tashkurgan Tachqourghan) and Mazar-i- Sharif.
Documents
Bibliography 06/01/2018History
EXPLORATION HISTORY: 1954.03.27: Dr. Carlton Stevens COON (1957a, 1957b) and Mrs. (=Elizabeth 'Lisa' K. Ralph), Henry 'Hank' W. Coulter jr. (geologist) and Mohammed Nader Saweri Khan (inspector of the Antiquities Department of the Ministry of Education, Kabul) saw the entrance for the first time. 1954.04.06: COON (1957a: 238-254) and others commenced archaeologal excavation.
Caves nearby
Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
---|---|---|---|
1.6 | KARA KAMAR, Sarqia-ye Afghania 2 | ||
7.2 | KOKJAR (Cave at) | ||
16.6 | KAFTAR KHANA, Haibak | ||
17.0 | Hazarsum, Haibak | ||
19.7 | HAIBAK ROCK CHAMBER | ||
21.2 | TAKHT-i- RUSTAM 5, Haibak Vihara (Cave at) | ||
21.2 | TAKHT-i- RUSTAM 1: tunnelcave 1 (Cave at) | ||
21.2 | TAKHT-i- RUSTAM 3: monolithic house (Cave at) | ||
21.2 | TAKHT-i- RUSTAM 4: rock chambers (Caves at) |