Unshaped Bone Tools from Denisova Cave, Altai
https://doi.org/10.17746/1563-0110.2020.48.1.016-028
Abstract
This study describes a part of the Paleolithic bone industry of Denisova Cave—the site that is key for understanding a complex interaction between various groups of early humans and the Middle to Upper Paleolithic transition. The Initial Upper Paleolithic layers of the cave yielded fossil remains of Denisovans, and the earliest ornaments and bone tools in North and Central Asia. The principal objective of this study is to analyze unshaped bone tools from the Late Middle and Initial Upper Paleolithic from the East Chamber of the cave. Among more than I0 thousand bone fragments, subdivided into three groups in terms of taphonomic, technical, and utilization traces, 5I specimens were selected for study. On the basis of location of use-wear traces that varied according to function, unshaped bone tools such as retouchers, awls, intermediate tools, and knives were revealed for the first time in Denisova Cave. The results of the morphological and use-wear analysis suggest that those tools were used for processing organic materials such as leather, plantfibers, and wood. Unshaped tools indicate a developed industry that preceded, or was contemporaneous with, the formal types of tools—polished points and eyed needles.
Supporting agencies: This study was supported by the Center of French-Russian Studies in Moscow (2015), a postdoctoral fellowship provided by the FYSSEN Foundation (2016), International Associated laboratory ARTEMIR (2015-2018), and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Project No. 18-09-40100)
About the Authors
M. B. Kozlikin
Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Senior Researcher.
Pr Akademika Lavrentieva 17, Novosibirsk, 630090
W. Rendu
Bordeaux University, UMR 5199, PACEA laboratory
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Researcher, CNRS.
Bat. B2, Allee Geoffroy St-Hilaire CS 50023, 336I5 Pessac cedex
H. Plisson
Bordeaux University, UMR 5199, PACEA laboratory
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Researcher, CNRS.
Bat. B2, Allee Geoffroy St-Hilaire CS 50023, 336I5 Pessac cedex
M. Baumann
Bordeaux University, UMR 5199, PACEA laboratory
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Postdoctoral Researcher.
Bat. B2, Allee Geoffroy St-Hilaire CS 50023, 336I5 Pessac cedex
M. V. Shunkov
Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Chief Researcher, Department Head.
Pr Akademika Lavrentieva 17, Novosibirsk, 630090
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Review
For citations:
Kozlikin M.B., Rendu W., Plisson H., Baumann M., Shunkov M.V. Unshaped Bone Tools from Denisova Cave, Altai. Archaeology, Ethnology & Anthropology of Eurasia. 2020;48(1):16-28. https://doi.org/10.17746/1563-0110.2020.48.1.016-028
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