The Altai Mountains in southern Siberia are one of the prime regions for archaeological investigation in Russia. We present data on the environmental, chronological and technological evidence recorded from major Pleistocene sites in the Altai. These show that hominid populations in this region lived in both forested and open environments, particularly in the Late Pleistocene, and used mainly Mousterian and Upper Palaeolithic technologies for manufacturing stone tools. The Palaeolithic archaeology of the Altai is important for increasing our knowledge of Pleistocene human adaptations in Eurasia, including the issue of the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition, the dynamics of human adaptation to higher elevations, and deciphering what significance the Altai may have had in regional Asian hominid dispersal. 14C GX-17602 Charcoal Goebel 1993 Okladnikov Cave layer 7 44,800 ± 4,000 U-series* none given Bone Derevianko and Markin 1992 layer 7 44,600 ± 3,300 U-series* none given Bone Derevianko and Markin 1992 layer 3 38,725 ± 145 U-series* none given Bone Derevianko and Markin 1992 layer 3
This article presents the results of study of an Early Bronze ivory fi gurine from Tourist-2, using 3D-scanning with various technical parameters. The aim of the study was to test the new non-invasive methods of structured light 3D-scanning, with an accurate assessment of morphometric characteristics. In addition, use-wear analysis was employed to evaluate the previously unknown features relating to function. As a result, the original appearance of the fi gurine, the manufacturing technique, and iconographic characteristics were reconstructed. A seri es of transverse sections and the evaluation of the center of mass, combined with previously known features, suggest that the fi gurine was a personal ornament sewn onto clothing. For comparison, two fl at anthropomorphic sculptures (a buckle made of burl, and a shale fi gurine) from the same burial complex were analyzed. Longitudinal sections suggest that, despite morphological and technological differences and the fact that various raw materials had been used, the iconographic style of all items is one and the same.
Archaeological sites indicate the assimilation of the Lower Ob region by humans during the Upper Paleolithic. Modern paleogeography reconstructions testify to the possibility of settlement in this area from the MIS 3, however all stone assemblages found in situ were dated to the end of the Upper Paleolithic - the end of MIS 2.
Purpose. Analyze the relationships of Lower Ob Paleolithic sites with the Upper Paleolithic industries in the adjacent area.
Results. Over the past three years, several new sites of Paleolithic age have been discovered in the Lower Ob region. The comparison of their materials with the assemblage from the Lugovskoye site allow to speak about two industries: bladelet complex (Lugovskoye, Komudvany) and another complex, conventionally called ‘pebble’ (Gorki III, Khashgort, Yugan-Gort IV), represented in the Lower Ob region in the Late Paleolithic. Comparison between the Lugovskoye assemblage and Talitsky, Shestakovo assemblages testifies their relationship. Radiocarbon dating of these sites (Shestakovo (cultural layer 6): 24 000–20 000 years ago, Talitsky: 18 700 ± 200 years ago, Lugovskoye: 13 500–9 400 years ago; all dates are not calibrated) allow the assumption of successful Paleolithic migration from the south-east of the West Siberian Plain to the Urals and then to the Lower Ob region.
Conclusion. The Lower Ob region was part of a historical and cultural area of bladelet industries in MIS 2. Lugovskoye and Komudvany sites can be attributed to the Uralic Late Paleolithic culture, which testifies in favor of the assumption of assimilation on this territory from the Ural region in MIS 2. Two kinds of Paleolithic assemblages in the Lower Ob region allow us to speak about two coexisting culture or the functional differences of archeological sites or two waves of assimilation on this territory – early (pebble industry) and late (bladelet industry). Most likely, the ‘pebble’ industries came to this territory from the Ural region too.
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