Artefacts of non-utilitarian purpose in Paleolithic of Ural

Abstract

Artefacts of housewifely and industrial purpose made from bone and stone are the most common findings on Paleolithic settlements. More rarely we find artefacts which are not connected with decision of economic and industrial tasks. On Ural settlements of Paleolithic epoch such artefacts are products of art, decorations and products from unusual and rare minerals. From product of art we must note two unique sculptures: image of mammoth made from flint and catlike predator made from mammoth tusk. Sculptures made from natural forms: pebbles and animal bones, also could be defined as such kind of artefacts. Rare findings are painted with ocher bones and stone tiles, and ornamented mammoth tusk. Decorations from Paleolithic settlements are pendants and stone beadings, shells, animal bones and teeth. Rare artefacts are beads made from little parts of fossil stem of sea lily. In Kapova Cave big complex of artefacts connected with drawing on the walls of the Cave was found: lamps, pieces of ocher with erased surface. For manufacturing of cult subjects ancient people often used minerals, which seemed unusual because of their color, texture and characteristics, green serpentinite and transparent rhinestone, for example.

Presence of subjects of non-utilitarian character on ancient sacred places let us suggest they had a symbolic meaning. It could be an evidence that ritual actions took place on some ancient settlements.