Traces of hominin occupations in eastern Iran: Middle Pleistocene lithics from Khousf Plain in the Lut Desert margin

A significant discovery of Middle Pleistocene lithic tools, including cleavers and Levallois artifacts, from the Khousf Plain in Iran's Lut Desert suggests that this arid region played a crucial role in early hominin dispersal. The findings, centered around the Goab playa, indicate that eastern Iran may have served as a corridor for human migration to Eastern Asia. Researchers employed geospatial analysis and sedimentary studies to identify and date these tools, providing new insights into the adaptability of early humans in challenging environments.

Rafei, S. R., Shayestehfar, M., Bakhshandeh Pahmedani, Z., Nikzad, M., & Sadraei, A. (2025). Traces of hominin occupations in eastern Iran: Middle Pleistocene lithics from Khousf Plain in the Lut Desert margin. Antiquity, 100(409). https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2025.10207