Types of Post-depositional Deformations of Palaeolithic Cultural Layers (with Special Reference to the Kostenki Group of Sites)

Abstract

The problem of the natural processes impact on cultural remains of Palaeolithic sites has been under consideration of scientists for many years. A whole number of special articles devoted to various degrees of cultural layers preservation at Kostenki has been published up to date. At the same time, the study of various cultural layer deformations of Kostenki sites has always been in the background of the priority tasks for the study of dwellings, structure of settlements, stone and bone assemblages, etc. The importance of assessing the degree of cultural layers preservation and the homogeneity of assemlages was often neglected, which directly influenced the conclusions about the appearance industries and their periodization and chronological status. The article attempts to generalize and classify all known natural deformations occurring in the Palaeolithic settlements at Kostenki. The accumulation of such facts and the study of the processes that caused them will contribute to the understanding of the taphonomy of sites and minimize mistakes in the interpretation of archaeological material.