Middle Paleolithic Industries from the Main Chamber of Denisova Cave

For the first time the article presents the evidence of the excavation in 1997 in the Main Chamber of Denisova cave in the Altai Mountains, which significantly expands the Middle Paleolithic assemblage from that section of the site. A total of 2960 stone artifacts were examined. Industries from layers 22–20 were ascribed to the Initial Middle Paleolithic; from layer 19 – to the Early Middle Paleolithic; from layers 17 and 14 – to the Intermediate Middle Paleolithic, and from layer 12 – to the Final Middle Paleolithic. Similarly to the previous evidence, the collection reflects the development of the Middle Paleolithic traditions among the inhabitants of Denisova cave during the second half of the Middle and Upper Pleistocene. The earliest assemblage primarily involved radial reduction. The role of parallel reduction technique, including blade production, increased further up the section. Beginning in the Early Middle Paleolithic, the Levallois method became an integral part of the industry, although its share of products was small. The main components of the tool kit were side-scrapers, various denticulate, notched, and spure-like tools. Burins on elongated blanks, as well as end-scrapers and retouched blades appeared in the latest assemblages.

Altai Mountains · blade production · burins · Denisova Cave · end scraper · Late Pleistocene · Levallois technique · lithic industry · Middle Palaeolithic · parallel reduction · side scraper · stratigraphic layers · Archaeological and Geological Studies · Archaeology and Rock Art Studies · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology