About the Age and Place of the Upper Paleolithic Site Vesna
in the Paleolithic of the South of Middle Siberia

D. N. Molchanov; S. A. Peskov; I. V. Sterkhova; A. M. Klementyev

List of issues > «Geoarchaeology, Ethnology, and Anthropology Series». 2021. Vol 38

About the Age and Place of the Upper Paleolithic Site Vesna in the Paleolithic of the South of Middle Siberia

Full text (russian)

Author(s)

D. N. Molchanov, S. A. Peskov, I. V. Sterkhova, A. M. Klementyev

Abstract

In the archaeology, the problem of the transition from the Middle to the Upper Paleolithic is considered as one of the key problems. This article presents the study results of the Vesna site (initial stage of the Upper Paleolithic), located in the south of Middle Siberia on the territory of Irkutsk amphitheater in the lower reaches of the Kuda river. Lithic industry of the Vesna site is based on the use of platy mudstone and is characterized by the blade production of within the of plain longitudinal and by-longitudinal knapping. The tool set of the assemblage contains both Middle and Upper Paleolithic types of tools. The tools on the blades are predominant in this assemblage. Radiocarbon data obtained in different laboratories using the AMS method show the dates 46,700±3400, 43,300±1700, and 40,600±1300 BP. They indicate the Early and Middle Karginian age of this archaeological complex. New finds obtained in 2018 expand our understanding of the industry of Vesna site. Among the finds, tools with a flattened base stand out, which indicates the possible use by the inhabitants of the site of composite tools and, possibly, weapons. In general, the Vesna assemblage finds its analogues with industries from the Arembovskii and the Aksenov sites, also situated in the Irkutsk amphitheater, which are based on similar mudstone raw materials. Their age was previously determined by the final of MIS 3, with certain reservations. Our studies indicate the earliest time of the appearance of the carriers of these industries on the territory of the Irkutsk amphitheater and the Southern Angara region. This reasonably raises the question of the time of their existence in this area. Based on the totality of data, it can be argued that, in general, in the south of Middle Siberia, the industry of the Vesna complex shows the greatest similarity with the materials of the reference Upper Paleolithic site in region – Makarovo 4, the age of which, based on the analysis of stratigraphy (by the author of the excavations M. P. Aksenov), was estimated within the first half of MIS 3. The issue of the timeframe of the appearance and spread of Upper Paleolithic industries in Eurasia is in this case a general issue. This highlights the importance of its regional aspects, one of which is discussed in this article.

About the Authors

Molchanov Dmitrii Nikolaevich, Research Engineer, Scientific Research Center “Baikal Region”, Irkutsk State University; 1, K. Marx st., Irkutsk, 664003, Russian Federation, e-mail: dmi_molchanov@mail.ru

Peskov Sergey Alexandrovich, Leading Specialist of the Department of Preparation and Implementation of Measures for the Protection of Cultural Heritage (Archaeology) of Center for the Preservation of Historical and Cultural Heritage of the Irkutsk Region, 2, 5th Army st., Irkutsk, 664025, Russian Federation, e-mail: ippeskov@mail.ru

Sterkhova Inga Vladimirovna, Leading Specialist-expert of the Department of Archaeology of the Service for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of the Irkutsk Region, 2, 5th Army st., Irkutsk, 664025, Russian Federation, e-mail: stinga.78@mail.ru

Klementyev Alexey Mikhailovich, Candidate of Sciences (Geology and Mineralogy), Senior Laboratory Assistant, Institute of the Earth’s Crust SB RAS, 128, Lermontov st., Irkutsk, 664033, Russian Federation, e-mail: klem-al@yandex.ru

For citation

Molchanov D. N., Peskov S. A., Sterkhova I. V., Klementyev A. M. About the Age and Place of the Upper Paleolithic Site Vesna in the Paleolithic of the South of Middle Siberia. Bulletin of the Irkutsk State University. Geoarchaeology, Ethnology, and Anthropology Series. 2021, Vol. 38, pp. 34–58. https://doi.org/10.26516/2227-2380.2021.38.34 (in Russ.)

Keywords

South of Middle Siberia, Irkutsk Amphitheater, Irkutsk amphitheater, Kuda river valley, Initial Upper Paleolithic, Karginian interstadial, stone industry

UDC

902(571.53)"632"

DOI

https://doi.org/10.26516/2227-2380.2021.38.34

References

Aksenov M. P. Paleolit i mezolit Verkhnei Leny [Paleolithic and Mesolithic of the Upper Lena]. Irkutsk, IrSTU Publ., 2009, 367 р. (In Russ.)

Arembovskii I. V. K probleme stratigrafii otlozhenii Antropogena Irkutskogo amfiteatra [On the problem of stratigraphy of Anthropogenic deposits of the Irkutsk Amphitheater]. Trudy Irkutskogo universiteta [Proceedings of Irkutsk University]. 1951, Vol. 5. Seriya geologicheskaya [Geological series], Is. 2, pp. 84–99. (In Russ.)

Arembovskii I. V. Stratigrafiya chetvertichnykh otlozhenii yuga Vostochnoi Sibiri [Stratigraphy of Quaternary deposits of the South of Eastern Siberia]. Trudy Irkutskogo universiteta [Proceedings of Irkutsk University]. 1958, Vol. 14. Seriya geologicheskaya [Geological series], Is. 2, pp. 9–55. (In Russ.)

Bar-Yosef O. The Upper Paleolithic Revolution. Annual Review of Anthropology. 2002, Vol. 31 (1), pp. 363–93. http://doi.org.10.1146/annurev.anthro.31.040402.085416

Berdnikova N. E., Medvedev G. I. Malyi Kot [Malyi Kot site]. Stratigrafiya, paleogeografiya i arkheologiya yuga Srednei Sibiri [Stratigraphy, Paleogeography and Archaeology of the South of Central Siberia]. Irkutsk, 1990, pp. 81–83. (In Russ.)

Bronk Ramsey C. OxCal 4.4.4. 2021. Available at: http://c14.arch.ox.ac.uk/oxcal.html (date of access: 10.02.2021)

Derevyanko A. P. Perekhod ot srednego k verkhnemu paleolitu na Altae [Transition from the Middle to the Upper Paleolithic in the Altai]. Arkheologiya, etnografiya i antropologiya Evrazii [Archaeology, Ethnography, and Anthropology of Eurasia]. 2001, Vol. 3, pp. 70–103. (In Russ.)

Derevyanko A. P. Verkhnii paleolit v Afrike i Evrazii i formirovanie cheloveka sovremennogo anatomicheskogo tipa [The Upper Paleolithic in Africa and Eurasia and the formation of the modern anatomical type of man]. Novosibirsk, IAET SB RAS Publ., 2011, 555 р. (In Russ.)

Derevyanko A. P., Markin S. V., Vasiliev S. A. Paleolitovedenie: vvedenie i osnovy [Paleolithic Studies: Introduction and basics]. Novosibirsk, Nauka Publ., 1994, 288 p. (In Russ.)

Glushenko M. A. Paleoliticheskie kompleksy Bratskogo geoarkheologicheskogo raiona : avtoref. dis. … kand. ist. nauk [Paleolithic complexes of the Bratsk geoarchaeological region. Cand. histor. sci. syn. diss]. Novosibirsk, 2017, 22 p. (In Russ.)

Kind N. V. Geokhronologiya pozdnego antropogena po izotopnym dannym [Geochronology of the Late Anthropogenic by isotopic data]. Moscow, Nauka Publ., 1974, 235 p. (In Russ.)

Klementiev A. M. Fauny pozdnekarginskogo vremeni Irkutskogo amfiteatra [Fauna of the Late Karga Period of the Irkutsk Amphitheater]. Izvestiya Irkutskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta. Seriya Geoarkheologiya. Etnologiya. Antropologiya [Bulletin of the Irkutsk State University. Geoarchaeology, Ethnology, and Anthropology Series]. 2013, Vol. 1 (2), pp. 30–43. (In Russ.)

Kogai S. A. Rannii verkhnii paleolit Irkutskogo geoarkheologicheskogo raiona (vtoraya polovina karginskogo interstadiala – nachalo sartanskogo stadiala) : avtoref. dis. … kand. ist. nauk [Early Upper Paleolithic of the Irkutsk geoarchaeological region (the second half of the Karginsky interstadial – the beginning of the Sartanstadial). Cand. histor. sci. syn. diss]. Irkutsk, 2018, 26 p. (In Russ.)

Logachev N. A., Lomonosova T. K., Klimanova V. M. Kainozoiskie otlozheniya Irkutskogo amfiteatra [Cenozoic deposits of the Irkutsk Amphitheater]. Moscow, Nauka Publ., 1964, 194 p. (In Russ.)

Menien L. Perspektivy Levanta v svete problemy perekhoda ot srednego k verkhnemu paleolitu [Prospects of the Levant in the light of the problem of the transition from the Middle to the Upper Paleolithic] Arkheologiya, etnografiya i antropologiya Evrazii [Archaeology, Ethnography and Anthropology of Eurasia].Novosibirsk, 2012, Vol. 3, pp. 12–21. (In Russ.)

Peskov S. A., Molchanov D. N., Molchanov G. N. Raboty v Ust-Kutskom, Zhigalovskom, Irkutskom i Shelekhovskom raionakh [Works in Ust-Kutsky, Zhigalovsky, Irkutsk and Shelekhovsky districts]. Arkheologicheskie otkrytiya 2017 goda [Archaeological discoveries of 2017]. Moscow, 2019, pp. 497–499. (In Russ.)

Peskov S. A., Klimentev A. M., Molchanov D. N., Sterkhova I. V., Molchanov G. N. Novoe geoarkheologicheskoe mestonakhozhdenie verkhnego pleistotsena v doline r. Kudy [New geoarchaeological site of the Upper Pleistocene in the Kuda River valley]. Izvestiya laboratorii drevnikh tekhnologii [News of the Laboratory of Ancient Technologies]. 2018, Vol. 2, pp. 9–22. (In Russ.)

Perzhakov S. N. Paleoliticheskoe mestonakhozhdenie Kistenevo-9 (Verkhnyaya Lena). Predvaritelnyi morfotipologicheskii analiz kamennogo inventarya [Paleolithic site of Kistenevo-9 (Upper Lena). Morpholithogenesis preliminary analysis of the stone tools]. Materialy vserosiiskogo seminara, posvyashchennogo 125-letiyu Berngarda Eduardovicha Petri [Materials of the All-Russian seminar dedicated to the 125th anniversary of Bernhard Eduardovich Petri]. Irkutsk, 2009, pp. 282–301. (In Russ.)

Reimer P. J., Bard E., Bayliss A., Beck J. W., Blackwell P. G., Bronk Ramsey C., Buck C. E., Cheng H., Edwards R. L., Friedrich M., Grootes P. M., Guilderson T. P., Haflidason H., Hajdas I., Hatte C., Heaton T. J., Hoffmann D. L., Hogg A. G., Hughen K. A., Kaiser K. F., Kromer B., Manning S. W., Niu M., Reimer R. W., Richards D. A., Scott E. M., Southon J. R., Staff R. A., Turney C. S. M., van der Plicht J. IntCal13 and Marine13 radiocarbon age calibration curves 0 – 50,000 years cal BP. Radiocarbon. 2013, Vol. 55, pp. 1869–1887.

Rybin E. P. K vydeleniyu spetsificheskikh form artefaktov v nachale verkhnego paleolitaYuzhnoi Sibiri i Mongolii [On the identification of specific forms of artifacts in the Early Upper Paleolithic of Southern Siberia and Mongolia]. Trudy 4 (20) Vserossiiskogo arkheologicheskogo siezda v Kazani [Proceedings of the 4 (20) All-Russian Archaeological Congress in Kazan]. Kazan, 2014, Vol. 1, pp. 132–136. (In Russ.)

Rybin E. P., Glushenko M. A. Spetsificheskii tip orudii nachalnoi stadia verkhnego paleolita v Yuzhnoi Sibiri [A specific type of tools of the initial stage of the Upper Paleolithic in Southern Siberia]. Verkhnii paleolit Evrazii i Severnoi Ameriki: pamyatniki, kultury, traditsii. Sbornik statei pamyati M. V. Anikovicha [Upper Paleolithic of Eurasia and North America: sites, cultures, traditions. Collection of articles in memory of M. V. Anikovich]. St. Peterburg, 2014, pp. 238–255. (In Russ.)

Rybin E. P., Khatsenovich A. M. Makarovskaya zagadka: samyi rannii verkhnii paleolit Evrazii ili pribaikalskii variant tekhnokompleksa nachalnogo verkhnego paleolita perioda MIS-3? [The Makarovskaya riddle: the earliest Upper Paleolithic of Eurasia or the Baikal version of the technocomplex of the initial Upper Paleolithic of the MIS-3 period?]. Stratum plus. 2020, Vol. 1, pp. 279–303. (In Russ.)

Semin M. Yu., Shelkovaya S. O., Chebotarev A. A. Novoe paleoliticheskoe mestonakhozhdenie v g. Irkutske (imeni I. V. Arembovskogo) [New Paleolithic location in Irkutsk (named after I. V. Arembovsky)]. Paleoetnologiya Sibiri [Paleoecology of Siberia]. Irkutsk, 1990, pp. 114–115. (In Russ.)

Semin M. Yu., Kogai S. A., Molchanov D. N. Novoe mestonakhozhdenie kamennogo veka v Irkutske – stoyanka im. M. P. Aksenova [New site of the Stone Age in Irkutsk – M. P. Aksenov site]. Evraziya v kainozoe. Stratigrafiya, paleoekologiya, kultury [Eurasia in the Cenozoic. Stratigraphy, paleoecology, cultures]. 2017, Is. 6, pp. 154–160. (In Russ.)

Shea J. J. The Origins of Lithic Projectile Point Technology: Evidence from Africa, the Levant, and Europe. Archaeological Science. 2006, Vol. 33, pp. 823–846.

Shea J. J. Complex Projectile Technology and Homo sapiens Dispersal into Western Eurasia. PaleoAntropology. 2010, pp. 100–122. http://doi.org/10.4207/PA.2010.ART36

Slavinskii V. S., Tsybankov A. A. K voprosu evolyutsionnoi preemstvennosti industrii ot srednego k verkhnemu paleolitu na territorii Gornogo Altaya (kritika gipotezy avtokhtonnogo razvitiya) [On the question of the evolutionary continuity of industries from the Middle to the Upper Paleolithic on the territory of the Altai Mountains (criticism of the hypothesis of autochthonous development)]. Stratum plus.2020, Vol. 1, pp. 45–104. (In Russ.)

Slavinskii V. S., Rybin E. P., Belousova N. E., Fedorchenko A. Yu., Khatsenovich A. M., Anoikin A. A. Spetsificheskii sposob podgotovki zony rasshchepleniya nukleusov v nachalnom verkhnem paleolite Yuzhnoi Sibiri i Tsentralnoi Azii [A specific method for preparing the zone of nuclear cleavage in the initial Upper Paleolithic of Southern Siberia and Central Asia]. Stratum plus. 2017, Vol. 1, pp. 221–244. (In Russ.)

Sokolov N. I., Tyumentsev N. V. K voprosu o nakhodke Elephas trogonherii Poll. v basseine r. Angary [On the issue of finding Elephas trogontherii Pohl. in the Angara River basin]. Doklady AN SSSR [Reports of the USSR Academy of Sciences]. 1949, Vol. 69, Is. 3, pp. 413–415. (In Russ.)

Vasiliev S. A. Problema perekhoda ot srednego k verkhnemu paleolitu v Sibiri [The problem of the transition from the Middle to the Upper Paleolithic in Siberia].Stratum plus. 2000, Vol. 1, pp. 178–210. (In Russ.)

Vishnyatskii L. B. Kulturnaya dinamika v seredine pozdnego pleistotsena i prichiny verkhnepaleoliticheskoi revolyutsii [Cultural dynamics in the Middle of the Late Pleistocene and the causes of the Upper Paleolithic Revolution]. St. Petersburg, SPbSU Publ., 2008, pp. 244. (In Russ.)

Vorobieva G. A. Pochva kak letopis prirodnykh sobytii Pribaikaliya: problemy evolyutsii i klassifikatsii pochv [Soils as annals of environment in Cis–Baikal: soil evolution and classification problems]. Irkutsk, ISU Publ., 2010, 205 p. (In Russ.)

Vorobieva G. A., Semin M. Yu. Stoyanka Arembovskogo [Arembovsky site]. Stratigrafiya, paleogeografiya i arkheologiya yuga Srednei Sibiri [Stratigraphy, Paleogeography, and Archaeology of South of Central Siberia]. Irkutsk, 1990, pp. 67–71. (In Russ.)

Vorobieva G. A., Berdnikova N. E., Vashukevich N. V., Arslanov Kh. A., Ryzhov Yu. V. Karginskii megainterstadial Pribaikaliya: kharakter otlozhenii i problemy datirovaniya [Karginskiy megainterstadial of the Baikal region: the nature of deposits and dating problems]. Problemy arkheologii, etnografii, antropologii Sibiri i sopredelnykh territorii [Problems of Archaeology, Ethnography, and Anthropology of Siberia and neighboring territories]. 2010, Vol. 16, Is. 1, pp. 33–36. (In Russ.)