STAGES OF THE HUMAN INHABITING THE TERRITORY OF THE OKA PLATEAU (SAYAN MOUNTAIN) IN THE FINAL PLEISTOCENE AND EARLY HOLOCENE
Abstract
The Tropa Kropotkina-3 archaeological site is situated on the territory of the Oka Plateau in the Sayan Mountain System and represents the Neolithic period site. It is the first and the only ancient site on the Plateau for this time which has been investigated by excavations. Investigations on other sites were irregular, occurred just with small trenches and surface observations. The research of the Tropa Kropotkina-3 site conducted before 2022 revealed the lithological layer (layer 2) containing various archaeological material of Neolithic time. Here are revealed hearths with stone lining with a large quantity of small fragments of burned bones inside them. On the base of the field works of 2022 the fact that archaeological materials in the 2nd layer were deposited in two levels, was stated. The upper level is related to the upper part of the 2nd lithological layer. All hearths with stone lining and fireplaces without lining belong to this level. The most of the artifacts at the upper level are small fragments of the ceramic vessels. Ceramics are represents by two types: corded and with smooth surface. Stone artifacts are presented in a much lesser quantity. Only stone artifacts are found in the lower level and there are not any structural elements here. At this base a conclusion was made about a functional character of the Tropa Kropotkina-3 central part firstly as a work-shop camp. Then the base station, probably related to ritual activity, was organized here. Obtained conclusion was proved during investigations of the Tropa Kropotkina-4 site, which revealed two levels of materials depositing in the 2nd lithological layer. According to stratigraphical observations and radiocarbon dates the 2nd lithological layer could be dated back to Holocene Optimum during which Oka Plateau was intensively occupied by humans. However, the inhabitation of this territory after Sartan cooling began earlier — about 14 kya.
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