nscArchaeology, Ethnology & Anthropology of EurasiaАрхеология, этнография и антропология Евразии1563-0110IAET SB RAS10.17746/1563-0110.2025.53.4.041-051nsc-2329Research ArticlePALEOENVIRONMENT. THE STONE AGEПАЛЕОЭКОЛОГИЯ. КАМЕННЫЙ ВЕКBiface Trimming Elements as Indicators of Tool Rejuvenation Intensity: The Case of Sibiryachikha, Altaihttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-2267-2452KharevichA. V.

Kharevich A.V., Senior Researcher, 

17, Pr. Akademika Lavrentieva, Novosibirsk, 630090.

aliona.shalagina@yandex.ruhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-5757-3251KolobovaK. A.

Kolobova K.A., Professor, Leading Researcher; Chief Researcher, 

17, Pr. Akademika Lavrentieva, Novosibirsk, 630090;

61, Pr. Lenina, Barnaul, 656049.

kolobovak@yandex.ruhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-5885-1535TyugashevI. E.

Tyugashev I.E., Junior Researcher, 

17, Pr. Akademika Lavrentieva, Novosibirsk, 630090.

tgshgr@yandex.ruhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-2632-6888KharevichV. M.

Kharevich V.M., Senior Researcher,

17, Pr. Akademika Lavrentieva, Novosibirsk, 630090

mihalich84@mail.ruhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-7036-7092ChistyakovP. V.

Chistyakov P.V., Junior Researcher, 

17, Pr. Akademika Lavrentieva, Novosibirsk, 630090.

pavelchist@gmail.comhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-4528-8613MarkinS. V.

Markin S.V., Leading Scientific Advisor, Department Head, 

17, Pr. Akademika Lavrentieva, Novosibirsk, 630090.

markin@archaeology.nsc.ruhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-1156-8331DereviankoA. P.

Derevianko A.P., Professor, Scientific Director; Laboratory Head,

17, Pr. Akademika Lavrentieva, Novosibirsk, 630090;

61, Pr. Lenina, Barnaul, 656049.

derev@archaeology.nsc.ruInstitute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of SciencesRussian FederationInstitute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences; Altai State UniversityRussian Federation2025130120265344151Copyright © Kharevich A.V., Kolobova K.A., Tyugashev I.E., Kharevich V.M., Chistyakov P.V., Markin S.V., Derevianko A.P., 20262026Kharevich A.V., Kolobova K.A., Tyugashev I.E., Kharevich V.M., Chistyakov P.V., Markin S.V., Derevianko A.P.Kharevich A.V., Kolobova K.A., Tyugashev I.E., Kharevich V.M., Chistyakov P.V., Markin S.V., Derevianko A.P.Данная работа распространяется под лицензией Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.https://journal.archaeology.nsc.ru/jour/article/view/2329

Biface trimming elements represent an important diagnostic source of information for studying various stages of bifacial tool production. In Middle Paleolithic assemblages, they often constitute a significant portion of the sample, making them particularly useful for identifying specific technological operations such as primary reduction and shaping of bifacial preforms, edge formation and retouching, working edge rejuvenation, and modification of bifacial tools. Here, we present the findings of a systematic typological analysis of biface trimming elements. Through a comprehensive metric and morphological analysis of experimental collections and Middle Paleolithic assemblages representing the Sibiryachikha industries of the Altai, we have developed a refined typology of technical spalls with regard to local archaeological specificity. Our analysis revealed no statistically significant differences either between parameters of type 0 and type 1 spalls or between those of type 2 and type 3, suggesting that these groups correspond to specific technological operations. In contrast, type 4 and type 5 technical spalls, which indicate onsite tool modification, show significant metric differences. The results demonstrate functional and technological distinctions between the assemblages. Materials from Chagyrskaya Cave are especially indicative of primary edge retouching and tool shaping, while the Okladnikov Cave industry mostly evidences maintenance and modification of bifacial tools.

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