(MENAFN) Archaeologists have revealed carbonized barley grains that date back approximately 5,000 years to the Early Bronze Age at the Iremir Mound located in Van, eastern Türkiye.

“Findings show that this is an important agricultural center,” stated Hanifi Biber, an archaeologist from Yuzuncu Yil University and the leader of the excavation project, in an interview with a news agency.

The excavation uncovered a kitchen area containing an oven, ceramic vessels, upper and lower grinding stones, remains of small livestock bones, and barley grains discovered both inside and surrounding a broken jar.

According to Biber, the mound—where archaeologists have identified eight stratified cultural layers from various historical eras—constitutes the earliest known settlement in the region.

He further explained that the main occupational layers correspond to the Karaz culture, also referred to as Early Transcaucasia, which extended throughout Eastern Anatolia and the South Caucasus during the Early Bronze Age.

“During the environmental cleaning of the warehouse space we opened in 2023, we found a kiln and pots adjacent to the north wall of the space. This is very important for us as it has been preserved in situ (in the original place of use),” Biber remarked, emphasizing the significance of the well-preserved discovery.

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