Krasnobrodsky-1 – New Stone Age Site in the Kemerovo Region

We present the data on Krasnobrodsky-1, a new archaeological heritage site from established in the course of archaeological survey in the summer of 2025 in the northern part of the Prokopyevsk municipal district of the Kemerovo region presumably dating to the Late Stone Age. The site is located far from other Late Paleolithic settlement sites in the Tom River basin. The site did not show any geomorphological features, and the terrain did not seem promising any potential for discovering archaeological sites – there are neither temporary or permanent watercourses, nor any clear signs of their existence in the past. The finds are not numerous, represented by flakes without retouch (3 flakes, 1 chip); the artifacts were associated with a layer of homogeneous gray-yellow loam; no signs of modern anthropogenic processes were noted. The stone artifacts are made of chalcedonic flint, which is fairly homogeneous but brittle. The artifacts show elongated proportions and bear mainly unidirectional negative scars on the dorsal surfaces. All flakes show traces of intensive reduction of the striking platform (removal of the overhang by a series of removals of various sizes). Despite the small amount of data derived, the stratigraphic context and the shape of the stone artifacts suggest attribution of the site to the Late Paleolithic period. In general, the site can be interpreted as a short time hunting and gathering camp, since the surrounding areas in watershed of the tributes of the Tom River have always been rich in wild fowl and small animals. It is also possible that the special trips in search of raw materials were made to the nearby spurs of the Salair Ridge, as suitable pebble raw materials could be found at a much greater distance. Excavations of the entire area (900 m2) of the short-term camp is required to provide information concerning the date and purpose of the site. At present, it is possible to completely excavate a site of this type, which seems typical, but providing important information on the daily life of Stone Age people

Excavation · Geoarchaeology · Homogeneous · Lithic technology · Middle Paleolithic · Radiocarbon dating · Watershed · Marine and environmental studies · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology · Soil and Environmental Studies