nscArchaeology, Ethnology & Anthropology of EurasiaАрхеология, этнография и антропология Евразии1563-0110IAET SB RAS10.17746/1563-0110.2020.48.4.003-013nsc-1072Research ArticlePALEOENVIRONMENT. THE STONE AGEПАЛЕОЭКОЛОГИЯ. КАМЕННЫЙ ВЕКEarly Middle Paleolithic Industries in Southeastern Dagestanhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-8749-0465RybalkoA. G.

Senior Researcher.

Pr. Akademika Lavrentieva 17, Novosibirsk, 630090

rybalko@archaeology.nsc.ruhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-2907-6266ZeninV. N.

Leading Researcher.

Pr. Akademika Lavrentieva 17, Novosibirsk, 630090

vzenin@archaeology.nsc.ruhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-0985-9121KandybaA. V.

Senior Researcher.

Pr. Akademika Lavrentieva 17, Novosibirsk, 630090

arhkandyba@gmail.comInstitute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of SciencesRussian Federation202031122020484313Copyright © Rybalko A.G., Zenin V.N., Kandyba A.V., 20202020Rybalko A.G., Zenin V.N., Kandyba A.V.Rybalko A.G., Zenin V.N., Kandyba A.V.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.https://journal.archaeology.nsc.ru/jour/article/view/1072

This study addresses lithic assemblages from the Middle Paleolithic sites Darvagchay-Zaliv-1 and Darvagchay-Zaliv-4, which are highly relevant to the understanding of this stage in Dagestan. We examine paleoclimatic conditions prevailing during the sedimentation at these sites. A detailed description of lithics is provided. Artifacts were discovered in a minimally disturbed paleosol. They represent the Middle Paleolithic, specifi cally Levallois technique of primary reduction. Judging by the presence of unlined fi re-pits and the fact that fi nds are scattered over a large area, we infer that these sites evidence multiple short-term occupation. The dates of the sites fall within the Riss-Wurm (Eemian, Mikulino) interstadial (MIS 5e)—ca 125-110 ka BP. Parallels with coeval sites in Dagestan and elsewhere in the Caucasus are discussed. Whereas no direct parallels with any Caucasian Middle Paleolithic industries can be found, those of Darvagchay-Zaliv-1 and Darvagchay-Zaliv-4 are consistent with the general evolutionary trajectory of the Caucasian Paleolithic.

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The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest present.