K Kolobova
Biographic Data
| ID | 32097 |
|---|---|
| NAME | K Kolobova |
| GIVEN NAMES | K |
| FAMILY NAME | Kolobova |
| SIGNATURE | KOLOBOVA K |
| AFFILIATIONS | Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-5757-3251 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 105 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 283 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 105 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2011 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 11 |
Paleolandscape environments of Discontinuity in Paleolithic Cultural Ranges
This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the paleogeographic and paleolandscape factors that determined the discontinuous and mosaic distribution of Paleolithic cultures, using the migration of Late Neanderthals – associated with the Micoquian industry – from Eastern Europe to the Altai as a case study. The research is motivated by the significant geographical gaps observed between sites of the same cultural tradition, raising questions …
Is there an Aurignacian in the Lake Baikal region of eastern Siberia? Deciphering mixed assemblages
Biface Trimming Elements as Indicators of Tool Rejuvenation Intensity
Biface trimming elements represent an important diagnostic source of information for studying various stages of bifacial tool production. In Middle Paleolithic assemblages, they often constitute a significant portion of the sample, making them particularly useful for identifying specific technological operations such as primary reduction and shaping of bifacial preforms, edge formation and retouching, working edge rejuvenation, and modification o…
Filling the Gap
This paper presents the results of a techno-typological and statistical analysis of assemblages from key Middle Palaeolithic layers (12.1, 12.3, 17) at the Kulbulak site. The study aims to determine their position within the Obi-Rakhmatian and to elucidate the nature of its long-term developmental trajectory. Based on the study of 8,790 artifacts and the application of non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), a detailed comparison was conducte…
Biface Trimming Elements as Indicators of Tool Rejuvenation Intensity
Бифасиальные технические сколы, или сколы утончения бифасов (bifacial thinning flakes), представляют собой важный диагностический источник информации для изучения различных стадий бифасиального производства. В среднепалеолитических каменных коллекциях они нередко составляют значительную часть археологического материала, что позволяет использовать их для определения конкретных технологических операций, включая первичную обработку и фасоннаж бифаси…
Stylistic Parameters of Minusinsk Rock Art Style
Статья посвящена формально-типологическому анализу наскальных изображений, выполненных в минусинской традиции. Несмотря на широкий ареал их распространения, источниковой базой данного исследования стали зооморфные изображения с местонахождений, расположенных только на территории Минусинской котловины. Такой выбор источников обосновывается тем, что, по мнению авторов, древнейший изобразительный пласт в наскальном искусстве Южной Сибири и Центральн…
Virtual Reconstruction of Flakes Based on 3D Modeling of Negative Surfaces on Cores and Scrapers
This article discusses the development and testing of a new approach to the virtual reconstruction of lithic artifacts, aimed at filling gaps in archaeological collections. Unlike existing approaches, which are primarily focused on objects with bilateral symmetry, the proposed methodology allows for the reconstruction of missing flakes based on their negatives remaining on matrices—cores and tool preforms, such as Quina scrapers. The method was s…
Elongated Retouched Points from the Middle Paleolithic Complexes of Obi-Rakhmat Grotto
This article discusses the technological and morphological variability of stone points from the Obi-Rakhmat variant of the Middle Paleolithic in Central Asia. Special attention is given to the category of convergent tools, as sets of elongated retouched points often serve as markers in the context of Middle Paleolithic laminar industries, which are typically associated with early manifestations of anatomically modern humans. The study of their mo…
Blank Production in the Middle Paleolithic Industry of Obi-Rakhmat Rockshelter
The authors focus on the analysis of primary reduction strategy in the Middle Paleolithic industry of layers 20–21 at ObiRakhmat Rockshelter (Uzbekistan) and the comparative analysis of Obi-Rakhmat with the industries of the Early Middle Paleolithic of the Levant. The topic is currently popular due the growing interest in Central Asia as a key region for studying the dispersal of hominins and the spread of various cultural traditions. The researc…
Application of Ternary Plots for Data Visualization and Analysis in Paleolithic Studies
The article presents a methodological approach to the application of ternary plots for the multivariate analysis and visualization of archaeological data in Paleolithic studies. The relevance of the study is determined by the need for the widespread adoption of effective tools for interpreting complex relationships within three-component systems characteristic of typological, process, and taphonomic studies in Paleolithic studies. An undeniable a…
Morphometric Study of Cut Marks on Faunal Remains from Chagyrskaya Cave
The authors define the types of tools used by Neanderthals of Chagyrskaya Cave (Altai) for the terminal stages of carcass processing (meat cutting) through a comprehensive morphometric analysis of cut marks on paleofaunal remains. The research methodology integrates traditional metric analysis with a modern geometric morphometric approach, enabling quantitative assessment of the microprofile shape of cut marks. Using an industrial profilometer, 2…
Living environment of late Neanderthals in NW Altai
Prey Selection and Transport Patterns in Neanderthal Bison Hunting
The article examines the hunting strategies employed by Neanderthals at Chagyrskaya Cave (Altai, Russia) through a comprehensive taphonomic and zooarchaeological analysis of Bison priscus remains from Upper Pleistocene deposits. The research focuses on prey selection — specifically, the age and sex composition of hunted individuals and the preferential transportation of specific carcass segments to the cave. Taphonomic evidence confirms that the …
Industry of Okladnikov Cave Layer 3 in the Context of the Sibiryachikha Complexes of the Altai Mountains
This paper presents the results of a comprehensive analysis of lithics from layer 3 of Okladnikov Cave and their relevance to the Sibiryachikha industries of the Altai Mountains. Attribute analysis has shown that the industry of layer 3 demonstrates technological and typological similarities with the Sibiryachikha industries. These include radial flaking with an offset technological axis, a predominance of convergent side-scrapers, and a series o…
A New Approach to the Study of Flaking Sequence Integrity Based on the Chagyrskaya Cave Assemblage, Northwestern Altai
This paper presents a new approach to assessing the integrity of flaking sequences at Paleolithic sites. It combines experimental modeling with subsequent attribute analysis of the archaeological collection. The method is based on changes in the proportion of various technical spalls at different stages of core and bifacial reduction, as well as changes in the sizes of cortical flakes. This methodology was applied to reconstruct the strategy of t…
Stylistic Parameters of Minusinsk Rock Art Style
This study focuses on the formal typology of petroglyphs belonging to the Minusinsk tradition. While these are widely distributed, we analyze only zoomorphic images from the Minusinsk Basin, because the earliest rock art in Southern Siberia and Central Asia, we believe, refers to a definite chronological stage, whereas the Minusinsk Style is its regional manifestation associated with the local cultural tradition. The purpose of the study is to id…
From neolithic to contemporary times
Practical Application of Seriation for the Analysis of Archaeological Data
The article describes the basic algorithms for the practical application of various seriation methods for the classification, correlation and systematisation of archaeological data. Designed for the relative dating of archaeological complexes, seriation has not lost its scientific relevance and is used in all areas of archaeology, even today, when absolute dating methods are available to researchers. The analysis of multilayered Paleolithic compl…
The Use of Microtomography for Studying Composite Slotted Tools
Recent advances in the use of computed microtomography (micro-CT) in archaeology have significantly improved the potential for the accurate non-destructive study of artifacts, making it possible to analyze their internal structure. The paper demonstrates the micro-CT method potential for the study of archaeological artifacts. Four composite slotted tools from the Kazachka site (Krasnoyarsk Krai), dated to between 11 and 8,5 ka BP, were selected t…
A New Approach to the Study of Flaking Sequence Integrity Based on the Chagyrskaya Cave Assemblage, Northwestern Altai
В статье приводятся результаты применения нового методического подхода к определению целостности цикла расщепления на стоянке. В его основе лежит экспериментальное моделирование с последующим атрибутивным анализом полученной археологической коллекции. Подход базируется на динамике изменения доли отдельных типов технических снятий на разных стадиях нуклеусного и бифасиального расщепления, а также размеров сколов с кортикальной поверхностью. Разраб…
Industry of Okladnikov Cave Layer 3 in the Context of the Sibiryachikha Complexes of the Altai Mountains
В статье представлены результаты комплексного анализа археологической коллекции слоя 3 пещеры Окладникова и ее интерпретация в контексте сибирячихинских индустрий Горного Алтая. Исследование с использованием атрибутивного подхода выявило в каменной индустрии слоя 3 технико-типологические черты, характерные для сибирячихинских комплексов: ориентация первичного расщепления на изготовление отщепов со смещенной осью скалывания в рамках радиального ме…
Carinated technology in the upper palaeolithic of west Central Asia
The article presents a study on the genesis of the Upper Paleolithic carinated technology in the Kulbulakian from western Central Asia. The initial manifestations of carinated technology in Central Asia are documented in the Middle Paleolithic Obirahmatian period. The formation of the Kulbulakian on the basis of the gradual development of Middle Paleolithic local complexes has previously been proposed (Kolobova et al., 2013). The studies conducte…
Faunal Remains from the Pleistocene Deposits in the Chagyrskaya Cave (Evidence of 2024)
The Chagyrskaya cave is located in the Northwestern Altai on the Charysh River. It is a key site of the Sibiryachikha phase of the Middle Paleolithic in the Altai. This article presents new faunal evidence from the site. In the field season of 2024, over 13,700 animal remains were extracted from Pleistocene layers 6a and 6c/1. Compared to layer 6a, layer 6c/1 contained a higher share of bone remains with anthropogenic modifications, mostly observ…
Research of the Middle Paleolithic Complexes in the Chagyrskaya Cave in the Field Season of 2024
This article presents the results of field studies in the Chagyrskaya cave – a key site of the Sibiryachikha phase of the Middle Paleolithic in the Altai – which were done in 2024. In that excavation season, the main focus of excavation works was on studying stratigraphy of the site, searching for anthropological remains, and obtaining a collection of lithic artifacts for technical and typological analysis. Two culture-bearing layers, 6a and 6c/1…
Seriation Method for Analyzing Data from Paleolithic Complexes
This article aims at familiarizing Russian scholars with the seriation method – analysis of data which organizes objects (archaeological layers, sites, monuments, or artifacts) into a sequence along a one-dimensional continuum for revealing the regularity and patterns among the entire series of these objects in the most sufficient way. This method was originally established for creating a relative chronology when absolute dating methods were not …
The Neandertal bone industry at Chagyrskaya cave, Altai Region, Russia
Middle Paleolithic variability in Central Asia
The Kulbulak Bladelet Tradition in The Upper Paleolithic of Central Asia
peer reviewed
The Upper Paleolithic site of Dodekatym-2 in Uzbekistan
Upper Paleolithic sites in the northern part of Western Central Asia are few, and their distribution is irregular. Most have no cultural layer. The scarcity of sites and fi nds is usually explained by depopulation in the 40–25 ka BP time range. Results of fi eld work conducted by expeditions from the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography SB RAS in Uzbekistan since 1998 suggest that even an arid climate did not prevent humans from settling in t…
Lithic Raw Material Exploitation in the Sibiryachikha Facies, the Middle Paleolithic of Altai
The assemblages of the Sibiryachikha facies of the Middle Paleolithic stand out in terms of their production technology and typology among the other contemporary lithic assemblages of Gorny Altai. In this study, the role of raw materials in the development of characteristic features of the Okladnikov and Chagyrskaya caves' industries is determined. The proximity of sources of the raw material used has been established, and the main principles of …
Early geometric microlith technology in Central Asia
Carinated Pieces in Paleolithic Assemblages of Central Asia1
Before the 1970s, Eurasian Aurignacian artifacts of the carinated type were interpreted as tools, specifically endscrapers or burins. At present, they are more and more often regarded as cores for bladelets with a curved profile. In the southeast, their distribution area was previously believed to extend to the southern part of the Afghan-Tajik depression. Recent studies in western Central Asia, however, suggest that the boundary passes across no…
The Upper Paleolithic Assemblages of Shugnou, Tajikistan
Lithic industries from the key stratified Upper Paleolithic site at Shugnou, Tajikistan, are described. Results of the technological, typological, and attributive analyses suggest that the industries of all horizons represent a single cultural tradition. Its evolution was marked by a gradual transformation of the microblade technology with the use of carinate techniques. This tradition is paralleled by lithic assemblages from Kulbulak layers 2.1 …
New investigations of the Epipalaeolithic in western Central Asia
Intensive research on the Mesolithic of western Central Asia began in the mid twentieth century, when the discovery of key sites allowed for the formulation of the main regional cultural-chronological schemes (Figure 1
Reassessment of the Lower Paleolithic (Acheulean) presence in the western Tien Shan
Revisiting the Palaeolithic site of Kulbulak (Uzbekistan)
New insights into the Epipaleolithic of western Central Asia
The Denticulate Mousterian as a supposedly distinct facies in Western Central Asia
peer reviewed
Between Denisovans and Neanderthals
New data from Strashnaya Cave have revealed previously unknown complexity in hominin occupation of the Altai Mountains, including the first regional evidence for the presence of anatomically modern humans
Truncated-Faceted Pieces in the Paleolithic of Northern Asia☆
Truncated-faceted pieces have been reported from many Paleolithic industries of Eurasia and Africa. In the latest decade, this category of artifacts has also been identified as belonging to the Middle to Upper Paleolithic transitional and Early Upper Paleolithic industries of Northern Asia. The largest collection of such pieces in this region is associated with the Obi-Rakhmatian, primarily of the Paleolithic industry of the Obi-Rakhmat Grotto, U…
Not so unusual Neanderthal bone tools
Reconstruction of the bifacial technological sequence in Chagyrskaya Cave assemblage
0264-2019-0009
The application of geometric-morphometric shape analysis to Middle Paleolithic bone retouchers from the Altai Mountains, Russia
The Use of 3D-Modeling for Reconstructing the Appearance and Function of Non-Utilitarian Items (the Case of Anthropomorphic Figurines from Tourist-2)
This article presents the results of study of an Early Bronze ivory figurine from Tourist-2, using 3D-scanning with various technical parameters. The aim of the study was to test the new non-invasive methods of structured light 3D-scanning, with an accurate assessment of morphometric characteristics. In addition, use-wear analysis was employed to evaluate the previously unknown features relating to function. As a result, the original appearance o…
Personal Ornament Production Technology in the Early Holocene Complexes of Western Central Asia
The stratifi ed site of Obishir-5 is one of the most important Final Pleistocene to Early Holocene sites in western Central Asia. In the Early Holocene component (10,700–8200 cal BP) of this site (layers 2 and 3), we discovered one of the oldest and largest assemblages of soft stone ornaments known from the region. It includes 5 items: three oval, sub-triangular, and sub-rectangular pendants, one“labret”-like ornament, and one ornament blank. All…
How Neanderthals gripped retouchers
Variability in the Sibiryachikha Assemblages of the Altai Mountains (Based on Materials from Okladnikov Cave Layer 2)
This article, based on new data from comprehensive studies of assemblage from Okladnikov Cave layer 2, explores the variability of Middle Paleolithic Sibiryachikha variant of the Altai Mountains. Using methods such as scar pattern analysis, experimental use-wear analysis, attributive analysis, etc., we specify the characteristics of the assemblage by extending the nomenclature of technical fl akes relating to radial fl aking, evaluating the share…
Middle Paleolithic Bone Retouchers
peer reviewed
Maxillary second molar from the Rozhok I Micoquian site (Azov Sea region)
A Case of Chronic Maxillary Sinusitis in a Late Neanderthal Population of the Altai Mountains
We describe a likely case of chronic maxillary sinusitis (CMS) in a Neanderthal skeletal sample from Chagyrskaya Cave, in the Altai Mountains. Signs of CMS were recorded in the Chagyrskaya 57 specimen, which is a fragment of a left maxilla. Alveoli of the upper fi rst molar are partially preserved, and so are the second and third upper molars, with adjacent parts of the walls, and the fl oor of the maxillary sinus. The fragment was found in layer…
The Upper Paleolithic site of Dodekatym-2 in Uzbekistan
Upper Paleolithic sites in the northern part of Western Central Asia are few, and their distribution is irregular. Most have no cultural layer. The scarcity of sites and fi nds is usually explained by depopulation in the 40–25 ka BP time range. Results of fi eld work conducted by expeditions from the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography SB RAS in Uzbekistan since 1998 suggest that even an arid climate did not prevent humans from settling in t…
The Denticulate Mousterian as a supposedly distinct facies in Western Central Asia
peer reviewed
The Upper Paleolithic Assemblages of Shugnou, Tajikistan
Lithic industries from the key stratified Upper Paleolithic site at Shugnou, Tajikistan, are described. Results of the technological, typological, and attributive analyses suggest that the industries of all horizons represent a single cultural tradition. Its evolution was marked by a gradual transformation of the microblade technology with the use of carinate techniques. This tradition is paralleled by lithic assemblages from Kulbulak layers 2.1 …
Revisiting the Palaeolithic site of Kulbulak (Uzbekistan)
The Kulbulak Bladelet Tradition in The Upper Paleolithic of Central Asia
peer reviewed
Carinated Pieces in Paleolithic Assemblages of Central Asia1
Before the 1970s, Eurasian Aurignacian artifacts of the carinated type were interpreted as tools, specifically endscrapers or burins. At present, they are more and more often regarded as cores for bladelets with a curved profile. In the southeast, their distribution area was previously believed to extend to the southern part of the Afghan-Tajik depression. Recent studies in western Central Asia, however, suggest that the boundary passes across no…
Lithic Raw Material Exploitation in the Sibiryachikha Facies, the Middle Paleolithic of Altai
The assemblages of the Sibiryachikha facies of the Middle Paleolithic stand out in terms of their production technology and typology among the other contemporary lithic assemblages of Gorny Altai. In this study, the role of raw materials in the development of characteristic features of the Okladnikov and Chagyrskaya caves' industries is determined. The proximity of sources of the raw material used has been established, and the main principles of …
The Improvement of Splitting Technique in Upper Paleolithic of Kulbulak Culture
The current period of western Central Asian Stone Age research is characterized by the expansion of research methods in the analysis of Upper Paleolithic complexes. However, a technologically important for Paleolithic industries parameter such as splitting technique has not been investigated. The aim of this article is to determine the splitting technique in the production of blades and bladelets in the Upper Paleolithic Kulbula-kian complexes of…
New Stage of Strashnaya Cave’s Investigation (Northwestern Altai)
Strashnaya Cave has been studied in different periods by several research groups, since 1969. A new stage of the site’s investigation was renewed in 2013. The cave is known as multi-layer stratified site that contains cultural layers dated back from the Middle Paleolithic to the Middle Ages. 13 lithological units have been allocated in the section. Layers 1-2 relate to the Holocene, the rest - to the Pleistocene; 11-13 - archaeologically sterile …
Bone Retouchers in the Middle Paleolithic Complexes of Chagyrskaya Cave
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Geoelectric Structure of the Obishir-5 Archaeological Site (Kyrgyzstan) Based on Electrotomography Data
Obishir-5 - multilayer site located in the southern part of Fergana valley (Kyrgyzstan). Culture-stratigraphic sequence presented there is exclusive to Central Asian region - from Upper Paleolithic to Middle Age. The site was studied two times: from 1965 to 1973 and from 2015 till present. The last exploration phase has shown that lower cultural layers contain Upper Paleolithic materials and they were not studied earlier. The abovementioned circu…
Approbation of the Complex of Geophysical Methods in the of Sel”Ungur Cave (Kyrgyzstan)
The Sel’Ungur cave is the largest karst cavity in Western Central Asia which contains archaeological, paleoanthropological and paleontological remains embedded into several lithological layers. The site was excavated in the 80s of the 20th century when it was defined as the Lower Paleolithic item. As a result of a new study which began in 2014 it was proved that stone complexes from the Sel’Ungur cave have the Middle Paleolithic characteristics. …
New investigations of the Epipalaeolithic in western Central Asia
Intensive research on the Mesolithic of western Central Asia began in the mid twentieth century, when the discovery of key sites allowed for the formulation of the main regional cultural-chronological schemes (Figure 1
Multidisciplinary Studies of Chagyrskaya Cave – A Middle Paleolithic Site in Altai
The monograph discusses key results obtained in a multidisciplinary study of assemblages recovered from Chagyrskaya Cave, a unique Middle Paleolithic site of North Asia. This publication presents archaeological, anthropological, palynological, palaeontological, geological and paleogeographical data, as well as absolute age determinations. Investigations undertaken during 2007–2015 enable reconstruction of the Neanderthal subsistence strategies in…
The Justifications for the Early Geometric Microlyts Age in Western Central Asia
На современном этапе развития археологической науки геометрические микролиты рассматриваются как важные хозяйственные, культурные и хронологические маркеры, появление которых в археологических коллекциях свидетельствует об использовании композитных орудий, о повышении степени мобильности древних человеческих коллективов, миграциях и об обмене технологическими навыками. Предлагаемая работа посвящена обоснованию раннего возраста появления геометрич…
The Middle Paleolithic Complexes of the Chagyrskaya Cave
Chagyrskaya cave is a key-site of the Middle Paleolithic Sibiryachikha Facies in Gorny Altai. During the field season of 2018, field work was focused upon the central chamber; the total excavation square was two square meters. The cultural layers of Chagyrskaya cave have yielded new numerous assemblages of stone artefacts, paleontological and paleoanthropological materials. The study area is characterized by a high degree of carnivore activity. D…
Preliminary Results of the Use-wear Analysis of Convergent Scrapers and Retouched Points from Chagyrskaya Cave Assemblages
Bone Needles from Upper Paleolithic Сomplexes of the Strashnaya Cave (North-Western Altai)
Палеолитические памятники Горного Алтая стали широко известны не только благодаря уникальному палеоантропологическому материалу, но также из-за обнаружения самых ранних свидетельств неутилитарной деятельности древнего человека. В комплексах раннего верхнего палеолита Денисовой пещеры была обнаружена многочисленная коллекция неутилитарных изделий и орудий из кости и рога. До последнего этапа исследований находки костяных инструментов были уникальн…
New insights into the Epipaleolithic of western Central Asia
Middle Paleolithic variability in Central Asia
Personal Ornament Production Technology in the Early Holocene Complexes of Western Central Asia
The stratifi ed site of Obishir-5 is one of the most important Final Pleistocene to Early Holocene sites in western Central Asia. In the Early Holocene component (10,700–8200 cal BP) of this site (layers 2 and 3), we discovered one of the oldest and largest assemblages of soft stone ornaments known from the region. It includes 5 items: three oval, sub-triangular, and sub-rectangular pendants, one“labret”-like ornament, and one ornament blank. All…
Reassessment of the Lower Paleolithic (Acheulean) presence in the western Tien Shan
Between Denisovans and Neanderthals
New data from Strashnaya Cave have revealed previously unknown complexity in hominin occupation of the Altai Mountains, including the first regional evidence for the presence of anatomically modern humans
Evidence for early human occupation at high altitudes in western Central Asia
The Alay site represents the earliest, high-altitude human-occupation site currently known in western Central Asia. Recent recovery and analysis of a lithic assemblage from Alay underlines the importance of this site and its role in the cultural and technological development in later Eurasian prehistory
Experimental Modelling of Bifacial Clipping in the Siberiachikha Variant of the Middle Paleolithic in Altai
Статья посвящена изучению продуктов расщепления, получаемых в процессе оформления среднепалеолитических плоско-выпуклых бифасов, на примере анализа дебитажа производства экспериментальных бифасиальных орудий сибирячихинского варианта среднего палеолита Алтая. В результате технологического анализа коллекции бифасов и экспериментального моделирования в изготовлении плоско-выпуклых бифасов сибирячихинского варианта выявляется следующая технологическ…
Geography (80 works) · Archaeology (78 works) · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology (76 works) · Geology (53 works) · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies (47 works) · Cave (46 works) · Middle Paleolithic (34 works) · Paleontology (30 works) · Upper Paleolithic (27 works) · Pleistocene (26 works)