KARA KAMAR, Sarqia-i- Afghania 1

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

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.