Early Upper Paleolithic Stone Industry from the South Chamber of Denisova Cave: New Evidence
Denisova Cave in the Altai Mountains is a key site for investigation the ancient history of North and Central Asia and the processes of interaction between groups of hominins that have inhabited this territory over the past 300,000 years. This article presents the new results of the Early Upper Paleolithic archaeological materials investigation from Denisova Cave. In 2017-2019 in the South Chamber of the cave, Pleistocene deposits of layer 11 were excavated, which accumulated in the first half of MIS 3. The general paleogeographic estimation of natural complexes in the vicinity of the cave during the formation of layer 11 is based on the results of investigation a representative collection of large mammals and small vertebrates bone remains. These data evidence to the mosaic nature of landscapes characterized of the mountainous country, with steppe and rocky biotopes predominating. In the lithic industry from layer 11, primary flacking is characterized by parallel technology, aimed at obtaining elongated flakes, large blades and small bladelets. A radial technique was used to obtain short and shortened blanks. The toolkit contains expressive specimens of end-scrapers, burins, and retouched blades with a well-defined Upper Paleolithic morphology. At the same time, a significant share in this industry is made by the Middle Paleolithic component, represented by various types of sidescrapers, as well as denticulate, notched and spurlike tools. Along with the lithic industry, formal bone tools such as eyedneedles, awls, points, and polishers were discovered. A representative series of various personal ornaments made of animal teeth and bones, mammoth ivory, gemstone, and other materials includes beads, pendants, tubular beads, rings and tiaras. The continuity of the technical and typological sequence in the development of the industries of the Denisova Cave suggests the formation of the Upper Paleolithic traditions on a local Middle Paleolithic basis. These materials are associated with the Ust-Karakol industrial variant identified in the Early Upper Paleolithic of Altai Mountains.