A Late Paleolithic Housing and Utility Complex at Afontova Gora IV (Ovrazhnaya): New Findings (2020–2021)

Abstract

The study focuses on a specific area of Afontova Gora !V (0vrazhnaya)-a newly discovered Late Paleolithic site in Krasnoyarsk. We describe the diversity of cultural and utilitarian traditions at Afontova Gora and tackle the problem of detecting remains of dwellings in the structure of Paleolithic deposits. Brief information on the geomorphology and stratigraphy of the site and on the location of archaeological features in the paleorelief of Afontova Gora slopes is provided. We analyze the surface of the specific part of the site with remains of dwellings. Results of the statistical and typological analyses of lithics and bone artifacts are presented, along with information on microknapping and procession of stone, groups of rocks, species composition of fauna, and resource utilization. We reconstruct activities associated with various zones of the site. Results of surface (intrasite spatial) analysis are outlined. A dwelling with a single hearth and a utility zone are delimited and shown to be contemporaneous. Debitage connections are traced, places of individual activities are located, and directions whereby humans and artifacts had migrated are reconstructed. Ethnographic parallels are discussed; regularities in the distribution of cultural remains around the hearth in a radial fashion, with free deposition in certain places, are assessed. Drop zones, front and back toss zones, and microdeformations of the "fioor" are pinpointed. The radiocarЬon age of the complex is estimated at ~15.5 ka, Ьased on several ¹⁴C dates. It is concluded that habitation deposits with remains of a camp and one dwelling have been detected. Prospects for further studies are outlined.