Abstract

This study analyzes the lithic assemblages from the Middle Paleolithic site Darvagchay-Zaliv-1, which are highly relevant for understanding this stage in Northeastern Caucasus. Paleoclimatic conditions prevailing during sedimentation at this site are described. The lithic objects discovered have been compared with industries from the synchronous sites of Dagestan and Caucasus. The artifacts were found in minimally disturbed paleosol (layer 3); they represent the typical Middle Paleolithic toolkit, and Levallois technique of primary reduction. Judging by the presence of fire pits without additional structures and scattering of finds over a large area, these sites reveal multiple short-term stays. The dates of the sites, obtained using paleomagnetic and OSL methods correspond to the Riss-Wurm (Eemian, Mikulino) interstadial (MIS 5e) of ca. 100-120 ka BP. Whereas no direct parallels with any Caucasian Middle Paleolithic industries can be found, the industries from Darvagchay-Zaliv-1 are consistent with the general evolutionary path of the Paleolithic in the Caucasus.

Keywords

Caucasus, Dagestan, Middle Paleolithic, Riess-Wurm, primary reduction, toolkit, Levallois technique

Rybalko A.G.

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2214-821X

Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography SB RAS

References

Abramova T.A. Ritmika sporovo-pyltsevykh spektrov chetvertichnykh otlozheniy zapadnogo poberezhya Kaspiyskogo morya. In Voprosy geografii. Morskie berega. Iss. 119. Moscow: Mysl, 1982, pp. 32-39. (In Russ.).

Lyubin V.P. Mustierskie kultury Kavkaza. Leningrad: Nauka, 1977, 224 p. (In Russ.).

Rybalko A.G., Kandyba A.V. Issledovaniya srednego paleolita Zapadnogo Prikaspiya. In Gumanitarnye nauki v Sibiri, 2019, vol. 26, No. 2, pp. 5-10. DOI: 10.15372/ HSS20190201. (In Russ.).

Rybalko A.G. Geokhronologicheskie issledovaniya stoyanki Darvagchai-zaliv 1 v Respublike Dagestan. In Problems of Archaeology, Ethnography, Anthropology of Siberia and Neighboring Territories, Novosibirsk: IAET SB RAS Publ., 2014, pp. 73-76. URL: https://archaeology.nsc. ru/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/ses_2014.pdf. (In Russ.).

Список литературы

Абрамова Т.А. Ритмика спорово-пыльцевых спектров четвертичных отложений западного побережья Каспийского моря // Вопросы географии. Морские берега. -М.: Мысль, 1982. - Сб. 119. - С. 32-39.

Любин В.П. Мустьерские культуры Кавказа. - Л.: Наука, 1977. - 224 с.

Рыбалко А.Г., Кандыба А.В. Исследования среднего палеолита Западного Прикаспия // Гуманитарные науки в Сибири. - 2019. - Т. 26. - № 2. - С. 5-10.

Рыбалко А.Г. Геохронологические исследования стоянки Дарвагчай-Залив-1 в Республике Дагестан // Проблемы археологии, этнографии, антропологии Сибири и сопредельных территорий - Новосибирск: Изд-во ИАЭТ СО РАН, 2014. - Т. XХ . - С. 73-76.