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The Iron Gates - The Location of the Sharamudoi


Jean Auel has stated that the site of the Sharamudoi is based on an amalgam of a number of sites in the Iron Gates region of the Donau, and not on any one site. She had not heard of Cuina Turcului. The oldest site which could have been used as a model, and the only rock shelter site in the Iron Gates region is, however Cuina Turcului. It is closer to the original river level (8 metres, around 26 feet above the water) than Jean placed the Sharamudoi rock shelter. It is now under water after the construction of a series of dams in the Iron Gates section of the Donau.

The 'houses' under the rock shelter described by Jean for the Sharamudoi appear to be modelled on the trapezoidal shelters which were used at Lepenski Vir, an open air site on a terrace beside the Donau which was occupied in the Mesolithic, much later than the time outlined in the books by Jean Auel. The trapezoidal plan is common in the area, and also occurs at Vlasac and Padina. As noted below, on the basis of the evidence available, it seems clear that the whole sequence of sites in the Iron Gates architecturally looks like the work of a single population which continued through several thousand years to occupy this region.

Jean does not mention the sophisticated hearths and sculptures found at the Lepenski Vir site. There is absolutely no evidence for a floating dock on the Donau. However the Sharamudoi boats may have their origin in the reed boats of the Caspian Sea, with rock engravings dating to 10 000 BP.


Iron Gates contour map Go to the Iron Gates contour maps

overview Overview of the Iron Gates area


pers irongates Per's Iron Gates photos


Cuina Turcului Go to the Cuina Turcului site - the only rock shelter site in the region


Lepenski Vir Proto Lepenski Vir and Lepenski Vir Ia - a mesolithic site on the Donau


Lepenski Vir Lepenski Vir Ib-e, II, III - a mesolithic site on the Donau


schela cladovei Schela Cladovei


padina.html Padina


vlasac.html Vlasac


hajducka Hajducka Vodenica


Gaura Chindiei - a limestone cave at the first Iron Gate Gaura Chindiei - a limestone cave at the first Iron Gate


baile herculane Baile Herculane - a limestone cave area with Paleolithic cave deposits


golubac.html Golubac - a 13th Century castle guarding the Iron Gates entrance


flora and fauna Animals of the Iron Gates


old engravings Old engravings of the Iron Gates


boats Sharamudoi boats from the Caspian Sea







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This page last modified Thursday 23 August 2007


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