Barda Balka, Archaeological site in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Iraq.
Barda Balka is an archaeological site in Sulaymaniyah Governorate featuring a towering limestone monolith that rises approximately 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) above a barren slope northeast of Chemchemal. The site contains layers of ancient occupation with scattered remains of stone tools across its terrain.
The site was discovered in 1949 by the Directorate General of Antiquities of Iraq and contains artifacts spanning approximately 100,000 to 60,000 years ago. Evidence suggests this location served as an important location for human activity during that distant period.
The excavated stone tools, including bifaces and lithic flakes, demonstrate early human hunting patterns targeting elephants, rhinoceros, and wild cattle.
The site sits in a remote area with barren terrain northeast of Chemchemal, so visitors should prepare for exposed conditions and bring plenty of water. Reaching it requires planning ahead as access depends on local conditions and requires guidance from people familiar with the region.
The name Barda Balka means 'standing stone' in Kurdish, referring to the prominent monolith that was deliberately destroyed in later times. This act of destruction marks an important turning point in how the site has changed from its original state.
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