The Final Early Paleolithic of Azerbaijan (Based on the Garaja Site)
https://doi.org/10.17746/1563-0110.2022.50.4.003-015
Abstract
We descriЬe new findings relating to an Early Paleolithic site of Garaja on the Mingachevir Reservoir coast, Azerbaijan. Geological and geomorphological position of the area, structure of the Early–Middle Pleistocene deposits, faunal remains, and chronology are discussed. On the basis of geological characteristics and paleofauna (large mammals, mollusks) we tentatively date the site to the Bakunian age (0.8–0.4 Ma years ago). Artifacts, some 350 in number, found mainly on the surface, but reliably associated with lithological units, are described in detail. Primary reduction is dominated Ьy parallel fiaking, with occasional radial and "citron" cleavage. Most tools, made on peЬЬles and large fiakes, are large (handaxes, choppers, and side-scrapers). While the Garaja industry is generally homogeneous, the stratigraphic situation of the site and certain elements of technocomplex, such as solitary Levallois cores, a Quina scraper, and advanced forms of bifaces, indicate the presence of two chronologically and technologically successive complexes within the general Late Acheulean industrial tradition. Garaja correlates with other cave and open-air industries of the East and South Caucasus and adjoining regions dating to the first half of the Middle Pleistocene.
About the Authors
A. A. Zeynalov
Institute of Archaeology, Ethnography and Anthropology, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Leading Researcher
H. Javid pr. 115, Baku, AZ1073
S. A. Kulakov
Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences; Institute for the History of Material Culture, Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Leading Researche; Leading Researcher
pr. Akademika Lavrentieva 17, Novosibirsk, 630090
Dvortsovaya nab. 18, St. Petersburg, 191186
I. A. Idrisov
Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences; Institute of Geology, Dagestan Federal Research Center, Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Leading Researcher; Leading Researcherpr. Akademika Lavrentieva 17, Novosibirsk, 630090 M. Yaragskogo 75, Makhachkala, 367009
Russian Federation
Leading Researcher; Leading Researcherpr. Akademika Lavrentieva 17, Novosibirsk, 630090 M. Yaragskogo 75, Makhachkala, 367009
A. K. Otcherednoy
Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences; Institute for the History of Material Culture, Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Senior Researcher; Senior Researcher
pr. Akademika Lavrentieva 17, Novosibirsk, 630090
Dvortsovaya nab. 18, St. Petersburg, 191186
R. N. Kurbanov
Lomonosov Moscow State University; Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Senior Researcher; Senior Researcher
Leninskie Gory 1, Moscow, 119991
Staromonetny per. 29, bldg. 4, Moscow, 119017
A. A. Anoikin
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:
Zeynalov A.A., Kulakov S.A., Idrisov I.A., Otcherednoy A.K., Kurbanov R.N., Anoikin A.A. The Final Early Paleolithic of Azerbaijan (Based on the Garaja Site). Archaeology, Ethnology & Anthropology of Eurasia. 2022;50(4):3-15. https://doi.org/10.17746/1563-0110.2022.50.4.003-015
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