Morphological analysis and dating of Neolithic ceramics from the multilayered settlement Shrakshura 3 (Lake Baikal)
The article presents the results of technological and morphological analysis of the Neolithic pottery from the Shrakshura 3 settlement, located on the Mukhor Bay northwest coast of the Little Sea of Lake Baikal. During the fieldworks, were investigated the complexes of culture layers 1 and 2 containing fragments from 39 vessels. The materials of the layer 2 are considered as a single cultural and chronological complex, which is characterized by Net-impressed pottery and, in a smaller amount, by Khaita type corded pottery. In this periodappears some ware with a smooth surface. It was established that these vessels were made using the patch modeling on the forms-bases, which traces marked on the inner surfaces of the products. The differences between Net-impressed and corded pottery are in traditions of processing the outer surface of vessels (knockout using the net as a gasket or net-wrapped mallet, in one case, and the mallet wrapped with a cord, in another case), in the presence or absence of ornament, in the character of decorating of the vessels (composition, application technique, etc.). This complex belongs to the Early Neolithic and is dated based on the obtained radiocarbon data within 7420-7290 cal BP. The material of the layer 1 is not united in the cultural and chronological context. The basis for this complex is a pottery that similar in technical and morphological characteristics to materials from the layer 2. Judging by this, and also taking into account the analogies with the materials of the Early Neolithic multilayered sites in Olkhon Region, the main complex of layer 1 should be dated to the same period. It is most comparable with the materials of the chronological range of 7170-6970 cal BP. Posolskaya type pottery, found in a small amount in the roof of layer 1, is characteristic of the Middle Neolithic of Cis-Baikal. Radiocarbon AMS dates for these complexes are in the range of 6750- 6310 cal BP. The identified technical and morphological features of ceramic vessels from the considered complexes of the Shrakshura 3 site are characteristic not only for Olkhon Region but also for the whole Cis-Baikal.