Spatial organization of the lower layer of the Zamil-Koba 1 site in the Crimea

The site in grotto Zamil-Koba 1 in the South-Western Crimea was discovered and excavated by D.A. Krainov in 1935-1937. Two Stone Age cultural layers were investigated. The bottom layer belongs to the Shan-Koba culture and is dated to the Allerød period. It is totally excavated inside the grotto. The bottom layer of the site is characterized by clear spatial structure including a hearth, bone accumulation, a workshop and a sleeping place inside a living area. The use-wear analysis of all artefacts from this layer conducted by the authors revealed various tools with use-wear traces. Distribution of functional groups of weapons and tools correlates with above mentioned structural areas and reflects locations of various economic activities at the territory of the site. Arrowheads were found to the south and south-east from the hearth and to the north-east from it. Hide processing tools were concentrated mainly in the southern part of the living area and around it. Tools for wood processing were located mainly inside the bone accumulation and the workshop and to the east from the living area. Tools for bone and antler processing have similar distribution. Cores and hammerstones were found mainly inside the workshop and to the north-east from Zamil-Koba 1. Retouchers were found at the northern and south-western periphery of the living area. Red paint was produced at its southern periphery to the south of the bone accumulation. There were practically no tools to the east from the hearth inside the living place. This part was probably used as sleeping area. Such spatial structure indicates homogeneity of the bottom layer of Zamil-Koba 1 site. Placement of the living area far away from the grotto entrance, presence of a stationary hearth encircled by massive rock blocks and almost total absence of traces of household activity near the grotto entrance evidently indicates functioning of the site during cold season

Archaeology · Geography · Hearth · Physical geography · Remote sensing · South east · Spatial distribution · Ancient and Medieval Archaeology Studies · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology · Geology

• Experimental determination of stone tool uses

  Lawrence H Keeley•Experimental determination of…•1980

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