PLEASE VIEW THE SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THIS PROJECT BEFORE BEGINNING. Want to unlock the archaeological mysteries of the Shanidar Cave and Zawi Chemi Shanidar sites? These field and artifact data cards created by archaeologists Ralph and Rose Solecki document archaeological digs at the Shanidar Cave and Zawi Chemi sites in northern Iraq from 1951-1960. These excavations uncovered nine Neanderthal skeletons, a Proto-Neolithic village and cemetery, and many associated artifacts spanning over 65,000 years of human prehistory!
The papers of Ralph S. and Rose L. Solecki, 1904-2017 (bulk 1951-1999) primarily document their archaeological excavations and subsequent analysis of Near East sites including Shanidar Cave and Zawi Chemi Shanidar in northern Iraq; Yabroud, Syria; and Nahr Ibrahim and El Masloukh, Lebanon primarily during the 1950s-1980s. The papers also include their work at other sites throughout the Near East and North America and files relating to the professional careers at the Smithsonian Institution, Columbia University, and Texas A and M University. The collection consists of field notes, data and analysis, manuscript drafts, publications, corrrespondence, illustrations and maps, photographic prints, negatives, slides, and recorded film. Learn more in the finding aid for the Ralph and Rose Solecki Papers. Also check out the Smithsonian’s Human Origins Program for more information on the Neanderthals of Shanidar Cave.