nscArchaeology, Ethnology & Anthropology of EurasiaАрхеология, этнография и антропология Евразии1563-0110IAET SB RAS10.17746/1563-0110.2023.51.3.096-108nsc-1746Research ArticlePALEOENVIRONMENT. THE STONE AGEПАЛЕОЭКОЛОГИЯ. КАМЕННЫЙ ВЕКMorpho-Stratigraphy, Sedimentology, and Radiocarbon Chronology of Suyanggae Sites, Focusing on Loc. VI, South KoreaKimJ. Y.

124 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34132

asqua2017@naver.comLeeY. J.

120 beon-gil 25, Yongambuk-ro, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 28736

leeyj@ikp.re.krWooJ. Y.

120 beon-gil 25, Yongambuk-ro, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 28736

woo10@hanmail.netLeeS. W.

120 beon-gil 25, Yongambuk-ro, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 28736

arch152@hanmail.netSuhH. S.

267 Gajeong-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34113

hssuh@kriss.re.krKimK. J.

124 Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34132

kjkim@kigam.re.krYangH. J.

776 Daedeuk-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34055

hjyang@kasi.re.krLeeK. W.

1000E. University Ave., Laramie, WY, 82071-2000

kyongwoo@gmail.comChoiW. H.

19, Nakseongdae Station-gil, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08793

wonhosori@hanmail.netOhK. C.

566 Daedeokdae-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34121

okc1027@daum.netKorea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral ResourcesKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofInstitute of Korean PrehistoryKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea Research Institute of Standards and ScienceKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea Astronomy and Space Science InstituteKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofUniversity of WyomingUnited StatesConvergence Technology Research Institute for Cultural HeritageKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofInstitute of Quaternary EnvironmentKorea, Democratic People's Republic of20230110202351396108Copyright © Kim J.Y., Lee Y.J., Woo J.Y., Lee S.W., Suh H.S., Kim K.J., Yang H.J., Lee K.W., Choi W.H., Oh K.C., 20232023Kim J.Y., Lee Y.J., Woo J.Y., Lee S.W., Suh H.S., Kim K.J., Yang H.J., Lee K.W., Choi W.H., Oh K.C.Kim J.Y., Lee Y.J., Woo J.Y., Lee S.W., Suh H.S., Kim K.J., Yang H.J., Lee K.W., Choi W.H., Oh K.C.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.https://journal.archaeology.nsc.ru/jour/article/view/1746

We reconstruct the processes of sedimentation at the Suyanggae Paleolithic sites, geomorphologically characterized by fl uvial terraces in the Namhan River, the base level of which is higher than the present river bottom. The fl uvial sedimentary deposits, slope deposits, and paleosols are the main units of surfi cial deposits, constituting the site materials of Suyanggae Loc. VI. According to the representative profi les of the site, the deposits comprise sands and gravel at the bottom part, while sands and fl ooding muds with occasional intercalations of reddish-brown slope muds, as well as rounded or subangular cobbles or boulders, dominate the middle to upper part. Regarding the terrace’s morpho-stratigraphy, Suyanggae Loc. VI is located above the low (second) fl uvial terrace. Considering the chronology of site material formations, Suyanggae Loc. VI was formed in the last glacial period. On the basis of radiocarbon dates obtained for the charcoals from Suyanggae Loc. VI, the age of cultural layers is determined. Cultural layer 2 was formed in the late Upper Paleolithic, and CL 3 and CL 4 are associated with the early Upper Paleolithic. The archaeological assemblage of Suyanggae Loc. VI is described: lithic artifacts of CL 2 are characterized by abundant microblades (ca 20 ka BP, Last Glacial Maximum), while those of CL 3 and CL 4 are associated with tanged points and blades (36–42 ka BP, middle of the last glacial period). Especially noted are a line-engraved cobble stone excavated from the sedimentary matrix of fl uvial origin, and a face-engraved pebble stone found in fl ooding muds. The fi nds are interpreted as manifestation of symbolic human behavior.

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