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Humanitarian sciences in Siberia

2014 year, number

STUDIES OF THE COMPLEX OF THE MIDDLE PALEOLITHIC DARVAGCHAY-ZALIV-1

A.P. Derevyanko, A.V. Kandyba, A.A. Anoykin
Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Siberian Branchof the Russian Academy of Sciences (IAE SB RAS), Russia, 630090, Novosibirsk, prospect Akad. Lavrentieva, 17
Keywords: Middle Paleolithic, paleosols, Levallois knapping, neopleistocene

Abstract

This article presents the results of recent studies of one of the complexes of the Middle Paleolithic Darvagchay-zaliv-1. Its materials are key to understanding the development of this vast cultural and chronological range for the North-East Caucasus. Lithological study of paleosol encapsulating the archaeological materials allowed to include this complex into a general paleogeography picture of the region. Chronological period of the ancient people being in the region is defined by the episode of Riss-Wurm interglacial oxygen isotope stage 5e. Stone tools are characterized by Levallois technique of splitting and a typical tool-kit of the Middle Paleolithic. Availability of fireplace spots in conjunction with scattered archaeological material over a wide area indicate ancient man’s multiple visits to the third terrace of Caspian Sea. Based on the available data, the authors conclude that despite a large number of famous monuments of the Middle Caucasus and great technical and typological diversity within their groups it is currently impossible to trace any direct analogies among them with materials of the Middle Paleolithic of Gedzhuhs reservoir. This may be due to both the incomplete representation of Dagestan industries consisting of a few materials and to the cultural diversity typical for that time which does not make impossible the existence of the original Middle Paleolithic culture in this territory. Techno- typological features of appearance of the stone industry with pronounced Levallois features allow us to speak about the specific form of the Paleolithic seaside Dagestan.