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The Structure of Bioresources Exploited by Paleolithic Humans in the Anui River Basin, Altai
https://doi.org/10.17746/1563-0110.2026.54.3.028-035
Abstract
Our studies of the relationship between prehistoric humans and their environment included the taphocenotic analysis of large mammal faunas from key Paleolithic sites in the upper Anui River basin, northwestern Altai. Faunal assemblages from the Denisova, Kaminnaya, and Okladnikov caves and the Ust-Karakol open-air site were examined. Their stratigraphic sequences span a wide chronological interval from 300 to 10 ka BP. To assess the structure of animal resources available to prehistoric humans, quantitative ratios of 17 taxa or groups of taxa were analyzed, representing carnivores (Carnivora), proboscideans (Proboscidea), odd-toed ungulates (Perissodactyla), and artiodactyls (Artiodactyla). The distribution of bones of large herbivorous mammals suggests that the primary bioresources for the earliest humans in the Anui basin were Siberian ibex, argali, bison, and horses. Other preferably hunted mammals were antelopes (dzeren and saiga), as well as deer (red and roe deer). Woolly rhinoceros was hunted less frequently. The main competitors of Paleolithic humans in consuming animal bioresources were large predators (hyena and wolf), and the main rivals in cave shelters were bears and hyenas.
Keywords
Supporting agencies: The study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation, Project No. 24-18-00069, https://rscf.ru/ project/24-18-00069/.
About the Authors
A. K. Agadjanian
Borissiak Paleontological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences;
Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Agadjanian A.K., Professor, Chief Researcher
Profsoyuznaya 123, Moscow, 117868
Pr. Akademika Lavrentieva 17, Novosibirsk, 630090
M. V. Shunkov
Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Shunkov M.V., Chief Researcher, Department Head
Pr. Akademika Lavrentieva 17, Novosibirsk, 630090
M. B. Kozlikin
Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Kozlikin M.B., Leading Researcher
Pr. Akademika Lavrentieva 17, Novosibirsk, 630090
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For citations:
Agadjanian A.K., Shunkov M.V., Kozlikin M.B. The Structure of Bioresources Exploited by Paleolithic Humans in the Anui River Basin, Altai. Archaeology, Ethnology & Anthropology of Eurasia. 2026;54(3):28-35. https://doi.org/10.17746/1563-0110.2026.54.3.028-035
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