Some Results of Technological and Morphological Analysis of the Middle Neolithic Pottery from the Southwestern Lake Baikal Coast (Based on Materials of the Pad Dolgaya 2 Site)

This article presents the results of a technical and morphological analysis of Middle Neolithic pottery from the multilayered site Pad Dolgaya 2 that located on the southwestern coast of Lake Baikal. The pottery collection includes 574 fragments from at least 13 vessels. It has been established that the raw material for all the pottery of the layer was heavily sandy, ferruginous clay with a natural admixture of sand and fine quartz. The composition of the molding mass is mainly free of artificial additives. In 5 cases, inclusions were recorded, presumably being fireclay. Different traditions were noted in the processing of the outer surface of the vessels (knocking out with a smooth, corded or ribbed spatula). The basis of the complex is the Posolskaya pottery with an external thickening of the rim. Vessels are mostly of complex, closed shape. Probably their bottom is pointed. Corolla diameters vary from 22 to 28 cm; in one case - 10 cm. The shards are dense and thin. There is evidence that the vessels were made using patchwork molding, probably on base molds (string prints are noted on the inner surface of one of the vessels). All units are ornamented; the pattern was located along the rim and in the upper part of the vessel. Vessels with a relief thickening of the rim, decorated in the classic embassy tradition, predominate in the findings. On a number of vessels (while retaining the main features characteristic of the Posolskaya type), there are tendencies towards simplification of the ornamental scheme and leveling of the thickening of the rim. Together with the Posolskaya ceramic type, fragments from a vessel with imprints of a braided net were found. The combination of the Posolskaya and reticulated types of pottery in one complex is noted at all stratified objects of the Middle Neolithic of the Baikal region. The studied pottery complex is similar in composition and main technical and morphological features to materials from stratified Middle Neolithic sites in the Upper Angara region. The dating of complex of the cultural layer II of the Pad Dolgaya 2 site (Posolskaya ceramic type) is based on stratigraphic observations, analogies with the materials of reference objects in the Baikal region, and radiocarbon AMS dating. As a result, it was found that the studied complex belongs to the Middle Neolithic and is dated within 6750– 6310 cal BP

Archaeology · Composite material · Geography · Pottery · Quartz · Thickening · Materials Science · Technology, Environment, Urban Planning · Geology · Paleontology