Gazma Cave

A Middle Paleolithic dwelling site in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan, discovered in 1983 during an expedition led by M.M. Huseynov and A.G. Jafarov. Located 3km northeast of Tananam village at 1,450m elevation. Layers IV-VI date to approximately 55,000-40,000 years ago. Excavations (1987-1990 by Jafarov, 2008-2013 by Zeynalov) yielded 874 stone tools including 780 obsidians and 93 flints, dominated by Levallois and Mousterian points. Over 17,000 fauna fossils of 24 species were recovered. Palynological analysis shows inhabitants lived in oak and juniper woodlands of an arid zone.