Karain Cave, Prehistoric cave complex in Döşemealtı, Turkey
Karain is a limestone cave featuring three main chambers connected by passages and set 430 meters (1,410 feet) above sea level on Mount Katran's slope. The rooms contain natural stone formations shaped by water over thousands of years.
Excavations began in 1946 and revealed evidence of human occupation spanning approximately 500,000 years from the early Stone Age through later periods. This lengthy timeline shows how people's tools, shelters, and ways of living gradually evolved.
The name comes from Turkish meaning "black," referring to the dark stone. Visitors can observe stone tools and bone carvings on display that reveal how people lived and worked in these chambers over many generations.
The entrance is accessible, and the passages are walkable for most visitors, but sturdy shoes are essential due to uneven floors and slippery areas. Bring a flashlight since some sections lack lighting.
Neanderthal skull fragments were discovered in the cave and date back approximately 150,000 to 200,000 years ago. This discovery makes it one of the most important Stone Age archaeological sites in the region.
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