Early Middle Paleolithic Industries in Southeastern Dagestan
https://doi.org/10.17746/1563-0110.2020.48.4.003-013
Abstract
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.
Keywords
Caucasus,
Dagestan,
Middle Paleolithic,
Riss-Wurm interstadial,
primary reduction,
lithic assemblage,
Levallois
Supporting agencies: This study was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Project No. 19-09-00006-a)
About the Authors
A. G. Rybalko
Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Senior Researcher.
Pr. Akademika Lavrentieva 17, Novosibirsk, 630090
V. N. Zenin
Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Leading Researcher.
Pr. Akademika Lavrentieva 17, Novosibirsk, 630090
A. V. Kandyba
Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Senior Researcher.
Pr. Akademika Lavrentieva 17, Novosibirsk, 630090
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Review
For citations:
Rybalko A.G., Zenin V.N., Kandyba A.V. Early Middle Paleolithic Industries in Southeastern Dagestan. Archaeology, Ethnology & Anthropology of Eurasia. 2020;48(4):3-13. https://doi.org/10.17746/1563-0110.2020.48.4.003-013
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