By Gharib Ali Salim
Soran district is one of the culturally rich areas in terms of heritage sites, possessing ancient urban elements and special significance. The history of the area dates back 75,000 years, as evidenced by the discovery of Neanderthal remains—most famously in Shanidar Cave, considered one of the oldest and largest caves in the world. This site, now within the district’s boundaries, demonstrates the area’s long-standing human habitation, attracting tourists—especially researchers, historians, professors, and university students—who are drawn by its ancient roots.
This background led to the discovery of two important historical sites in Soran district, through collaboration between the Soran Directorate of Antiquities, the University of Barcelona (UAB), and Salahaddin University in Erbil.
The first site, Panther (Palingan) Cave in the Chinaran area of Sreshema Subdistrict in Khalifan District within the Zagros Mountains, sits 900 meters above sea level. Significant archaeological findings have been made here. So far, three rounds of excavation have been conducted (2017, 2024, and 2025). The current round, lasting 14 days, has identified three important cultural layers, proving continuous human life in the area since prehistoric times. This discovery ends a 50-year absence of archaeological evidence from the Zagros region.
The three layers are:
1. The oldest layer belongs to the Epipaleolithic era (approx. 20,000–10,000 years ago) – such evidence is rare in Europe and has only been found in the upper layers of Shanidar Cave.
2. The second layer belongs to the Neolithic period (approx. 8,000–6,000 years ago).
3. The third layer dates back to the Bronze Age (approx. 3,300–1,200 BCE).
Among the most important findings are remains such as animal bones, shell fragments, seeds, and obsidian tools—strong proof of prehistoric life in the area. The Epipaleolithic layer, in particular, represents the latest known signs of settlement in the region.
The second site, Banehelk Hill, reveals a 7,000-year-old civilization through its rectangular structure (500 m²). It sheds light on the lifestyle, organization, and beliefs of early inhabitants dating back to the fifth millennium BCE. Among the most surprising discoveries of this archaeological site, the skeletal remains of brown bears from Balakayati (a mountain bear of the region) which symbolizes power and authority in that era, as well as the discovery of handicraft objects for example colored and different-sized pottery, this once again confirms the importance of the position of the Kurdistan Region in general and the Soran administration in particular as one of the centers of ancient human settlement in the prehistoric millennia.
Soran remains rich in unexplored archaeological sites. The key priority is to promote and market these sites to attract tourism and boost the local economy.
Finally, after conducting excavation and research work, it is important to give attention to establishing a museum in the Soran administration to display the archaeological pieces and attract tourists. It is also essential to develop the necessary mechanisms for promoting and marketing archaeological tourism. After the renovation of archaeological sites, they require protection and administrative services for guests and tourists—such as tourism service projects implemented through the private sector. This becomes a fundamental factor in expanding tourism areas and attracting visitors’ attention, making archaeological sites accessible in a modern and sustainable way.