Kenacheh Cave

Quick Facts

• Type: Cave and archaeological site
• Elevation: About 760 m
• Location: Hawraman region, Kurdistan Province, Iran
• Discovery: 2015 (salvage archaeology)

Overview

Kenacheh Cave is an Upper Paleolithic archaeological site in the Hawraman region of Kurdistan Province. Excavations documented stone tools and evidence of early human occupation before the site was flooded by the Daryan Dam reservoir.

The cave lies along the Sirwan River valley and offers a glimpse into long-term human use of the Zagros corridor.

Landscape and Culture

The cave’s setting reflects the rugged river landscape of Hawraman, where steep slopes and narrow valleys have shaped settlement patterns for thousands of years. Its discovery highlights the deep time history of Kurdish highland regions.

Notes

Researchers recorded the site between 2015 and 2016 as part of rescue excavations linked to dam construction.