Non-Commercial Partnership ≪Yuzharcheologia≫, 95а M. Gorky St., Rostov-upon-Don, 344082, Russia [azaharikov@mail.ru]

Abstract. The quartzite industries from the lower layers of the Nepryakhino site (Volga-Ural interfluve, Saratov oblast of Russia) are characterized by laminar reduction of prismatic cores by means of marginal flaking, and the presence of numerous leaf-shaped bifacial points. These industrial features are common for the Early Upper Paleolithic (EUP) industries of Northern Eurasia. The lithic assemblages of Lincomb-Ranis-Jerzmanowice, Bohunician, Seletian and Kostenki-Streletskaya culture, as well as those of the Initial Upper Paleolithic of Altai and North Central Asia contain both leaf-shaped bifaces and volumetric cores designed for the production of blades. As to the flaking technique used to remove blades from cores it is sometimes marginal and sometimes non-marginal. In conclusion the author puts forward an idea that the appearance of numerous leaf-shaped bifacial points in the EUP Northern Eurasia could be functionally connected with the development of pole weapons.

Keywords: Early Upper Paleolithic, Nepryakhino site, leaf-shaped bifaces, bifacial points, blade technology.

Received 21.02.2023, accepted 12.04.2023

DOI: 10.31600/2658-3925-2023-2-61-88

For citation: Zakharikov A. P. Quartzite industries from the lower layers of the Nepryakhino site in the context of the Early Upper Paleolithic of Northern Eurasia. Prehistoric Archaeology. Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies. 2023 (2), 61–88, DOI: 10.31600/2658-3925-2023-2-61-88

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