سعید خضری

During excavations in the east of little Zab river and close to the site of the ancient city of Rabat, a cave entrance was revealed in 2012-06-05. For more investigation on natural and human features, a group of experts went into the cave. The results of their field survey indicate that the cave clearly originated as the result of tectonic forces and solution of limestone. The main natural features of the cave include cauliflower stalactites and pearls of cave landforms. Due to the role of tectonic, the cave was impassable and only a short distance from the entrance, about 20 meters, is now accessible. Within this part, there is no sign of human habitation. The availability of karstic features such as avens, sinkholes, vauclusien and travertine springs and karrens within ten kilometers around the Rabat cave mouth show a possibility of connection between the caves, avens and karstic springs. Thus it is possible to have a great cave in this area. This cave, along with other natural and man-made features of the areas, such as natural waterfalls and ancient hills in Rabat city and the little Zab river basin are great potentials for geotourism and archeotourism development. Therefore, further investigation is needed through field work to identify the possibility of any connection between the caves, avens, and karstic springs. In addition, another investigation should focus on the relationships between the caves and ancient civilization of the areas. This requires a group of geomorphologists, geologists and archaeologists to do more field survey on the different features of the areas.