Middle and Late Stages of the Upper Paleolithic of Baikal-Yenisei Siberia: Chronology and General Characteristics

Abstract

This article presents the characteristics and chronology of the archaeological complexes of Middle and Late stages of the Upper Paleolithic in Baikal-Yenisei Siberia. We analyzed the development of Paleolithic cultures against the background of paleoenvironmental changes in the Sartanian cryochron (MIS 2 – the beginning of MIS 1). As a result of research in recent decades, new data and results have been obtained for geological deposits, archaeological objects and complexes of this time; their features have been revealed. Databases that include data on geoarchaeological objects (about 60) and the results of radiocarbon dating (122 determinations) have been created. Based on the analysis of deposits and the database of radiocarbon dating, the age of four Sartanian subhorizons was determined: sr1 – ~28–22 ka cal BP, sr2 – ~22–19.5 ka cal BP, sr3 – ~19.5–14.7 ka cal BP, sr4 – ~14.7–11.7 ka cal BP. Each of these subhorizons differs in paleoclimatic settings. Two large seismic events (~23–22 ka cal BP and 12.8 ka cal BP) associated with the activity of Baikal rift and led to serious restructuring of natural situations were identified. Based on the stratigraphic position of cultural complexes and their radiocarbon dating, four cultural and chronological groups were identified and the presence of three breaks (hiatuses) not provided with archaeological materials in sr2, the second half of sr3 and sr4 (YD) was revealed. For each group, the specificity of cultural complexes was determined, expressed in topographic and planigraphic features, in the features of knapping technologies, composition and ratio of inventory groups. Apparently, these cultural breaks were provoked both by a change in paleoclimatic settings, primarily aridization, and by seismic events. We believe that this did not lead to the depopulation of the region, but rather contributed to changes in the hunter-gatherers' livelihood strategies that led to a change in their habitats. Perhaps there were also sociocultural reasons. The basic complexes of sr1 (Malta-Buret) are of western origin, in the materials of the second half of sr1 eastern elements are traced, and the sr3 complexes have wide analogues in the Sartanian cultures of the Yenisei valley and together with them form a single cultural area in this time. The genesis of the sr4 (BA) complexes is still debatable, although there is a certain continuity with the previous stage. They are also characterized by a clear cultural and territorial unity.