Triangular, concave-base ‘Streletskian points’ are documented in several assemblages from the Kostёnki complex of Upper Palaeolithic sites in south-western Russia. Some of these assemblages have been argued to evidence very early modern human occupation of Eastern Europe. However, Streletskian points are also recorded from younger contexts, notably at Kostёnki 11, where examples are attributed both to Layer V and the stratigraphically higher Layer III. The apparent relatively young age of Layer III has led some to view it as the latest manifestation of the Streletskian, although its assemblage has also been compared to the non-Streletskian Layer I of Kostёnki 8, with the two described together as the Anosovka-Tel’manskaya Culture.Radiocarbon dates of 24–23,000 bp (c. 28,500–27,000 cal bp) for a wolf burial associated with Layer III of Kostёnki 11 confirm the layer as younger than other Streletskian assemblages at Kostёnki. New radiocarbon dates for Kostёnki 8 Layer I show that the two layers are broadly contemporary, and that both are close in age to assemblages of Kostёnki’s (Late Gravettian) Kostёnki-Avdeevo Culture. In the light of these new radiocarbon dates the context of the Streletskian point from Kostёnki 11 Layer III is considered. Although firm conclusions are not possible, unresolved stratigraphic problems and the lack of technological context for this single artefact at the very least leave a question mark over its association with other material from the layer.
* исследование выполнено в рамках программы ФНи ГАН по теме № 0184-2018-0012 и при финансовой поддержке РФФи в рамках научного проекта № 18-00-00837 комфи и № 18-49-360013 р_а.
В работе представлены результаты анализа контекста, технологии изготовления и особенностей различных знаков и символов на предметах искусства из раскопок 2014-2018 гг. верхнепалеолитической стоянки Костенки 11, 1а культурный слой. Два предмета с декоративными рисунками выполнены из бивня мамонта - это изделия с двусторонне скошенным концом (мотыги). Два других декорированных предмета представляют собой фрагменты ребер мамонта. Во всех случаях наблюдаются полосы, состоящие из гравированных линий. Используемые технологические приемы для основных деталей рисунков на изделиях едины. Но форма, сочетание с другими элементами рисунка и отдельными знаками различаются. Мы полагаем, что разнообразие технологических приемов, возникающее при декорировании изделий, непосредственно связано с их семантикой. И это сильно отличает такие предметы от других изделий данной коллекции обработанной кости.
The paper presents the results of analysis of the context, technological methods of manufacturing and features of the ornamentation on pieces of art from excavations at the Kostenki 11 Upper Palaeolithic site (occupation layer 1a) during 2014-2018. Two items were made from mammoth tusk, these are ornamented hoes with two-sided beveled ends. The other two items are fragments of ornamented mammoth ribs. All items exhibit ornamentation bands made of engraved lines. The same production techniques were used to make main elements of the ornament and the pattern on all objects of art. However, forms, combination of bands with other decorative elements and semantic signs are different. We believe that diversity of technological methods applied to manufacture ornamented items, is directly linked to their semantic nature. This factor makes these items look very different from other artifacts from this collection of worked bone.
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