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Janati Mehr A, Abbasnejad Seresti R, Hariri N, Azizi F, Sepehri A, Heydari S et al . (2025). A New Study on Microfossil Remains Found in the Bawa Yawan Rockshelter - Kermanshah. JRA. 11(1), doi:10.61186/jra.11.1.446
URL: http://jra-tabriziau.ir/article-1-446-en.html

Among the study of ancient human livelihoods, bedrock ground stones (BGS) in Southwest Asia have garnered significant interest from archaeologists and anthropologists since they have been reported in archaeological sites from the Paleolithic to the modern era. In general, BGS are defined as anthropogenic features created by the repeated beating and grinding of various materials. Bedrock installations are formations characterized by cavities of various sizes and shapes that have developed on rock substrates. Evidence suggests that this technology has been employed from the Paleolithic period to the present day. These cultural findings can provide insights into significant archaeological questions, including subsistence patterns, vegetation, and material processing methods. In Iran, research in this field has been limited, and laboratory studies on these findings have not yet been conducted. Due to the importance of this topic and the scarcity of related research in Iran, the DiyarMehr Institute for Palaeolithic Research has initiated a detailed and scientific study in this area. This paper focuses specifically on the microfossil remains obtained from the bedrock groundstones at the Bawa Yawan Rockshelter. Furthermore, based on the data derived from excavations, morphological studies, and tests conducted on the microfossil remains, this paper examines the functionality of the BGS and their context within the Bawa Yawan Rockshelter. The microfossil remains include various plant components, such as phytoliths, plant fibers, minerals, and charcoal fragments. Based on the evidence and documentation derived from the BGS at this site, it is hypothesized that their use was not subsistence-related, but rather for purposes such as processing plant fibers, creating light, and the limited production of plant products.