Institute for the History of Material Culture RAS, 18 Dvortsovaya emb., St. Petersburg, 191186, Russia [akolesnik2007@mail.ru]

Abstract. The Late Middle Paleolithic sites attributed to the Eastern Micoquian show a marked patchy distribution, caused probably by paleoenvironmental conditions. One of the biggest territorial groups of Eastern Micoquian sites is the Donets-Azov group (Donbas, the Northeastern Azov Sea shore, the Lower Don). The assemblages of this group come from deposits of varying preservation ranging chronologically from MIS5e through MIS3. The stone industry of the Eastern Micoquian shows a number of specific traits. The cores were reduced with the help of radial-discoidal and, less frequently, Levallois flaking. The methods of secondary treatment included fasonnage, retouch, basal thinning, etc. The tool set is characterized by the presence of various sidescrapers, points, leafshaped points, denticulates, and asymmetrical bifaces. Of special note among the latter is a small series of D-shaped tools with planoconvex or lenticular cross-section. The paper argues that these tools should be singled out as a particular group of wedgeshaped knives. To prove this, the author uses morphometric and technological criteria, as well as scar pattern analysis.

Keywords: Keilmessers, Middle Paleolithic, Donbas, Asov Sea shore, bifaces.

Received 01.05.2024, accepted 20.05.2024

DOI: 10.31600/2658-3925-2024-1-5-23

For citation: Kolesnik A. V. Bifacially worked D-shaped tools from the Middle Paleolithic sites of Donbas and the Northeastern Azov Sea shore (in Russ.). Prehistoric Archaeology. Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies. 2024 (1), 5–23, DOI: 10.31600/2658-3925-2024-1-5-23

References:

Baumler M. F. 1988. Core reduction, flake production, and the Middle Paleolithic industry of Zobiste (Yugoslavia). In: Dibble H., Montet-White A. (eds.). Upper Pleistocene Prehistory of Western Eurasia. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania, 275–274.

Bonch-Osmolovsky G. A. 1940. Paleolit Kryma. Vol. 1. Grot Kiik-Koba [Paleolithic of the Crimea. Kiik-Koba Grotto]. Moscow-Leningrad: ≪Izdatelstvo AN SSSR≫ Publ. (in Russian).

Boriskovsky P. I. 1957. Nekotorye mestonahozhdenija kamennogo veka v Priazov’e [Some Stone Age sites in the Azov Sea region]. Kraevedcheskie zapiski Taganrogskogo kraevedcheskogo muzeja 1, 135–145 (in Russian).

Boriskovsky P. I., Praslov N. D. 1964. Paleolit bassejna Dnepra i Priazov’ja [Paleolithic of the Dnieper Basin and Azov Sea Littoral]. Moscow-Leningrad: ≪Nauka≫ Publ. (in Russian).

Bosinski G. 1967. Die mittelpalaolithischen Funde im westlichen Mitteleuropa. Fundamenta A/4. Koln.

Bosinski G. 2006. The Keilmesser group (Micoquian) in Germany. In: Kozlowski S. K. (ed.). Wylotne and Zwierzyniec. Paleolithic Sites in Southern Poland. Krakow, 383–400.

Chabaj V. P. 2004. Srednij paleolit Kryma [Middle Paleolithic of the Crimea]. Simferopol’: ≪Shlyakh≫ Publ. (in Russian).

Danilchenko A. Yu., Kolesnik A. V., Otcherednoy A. K., Zorov Yu. N. 2020. Mar’eva Gora — pamjatnik srednego paleolita v Severo-Vostochnom Priazov’e [Mar’eva Gora — a Middle Paleolithic site in the North-Eastern Azov Sea region]. Stratum plus 1, 201–224  (in Russian).

Delagnes A. 1996. L’industrie lithique des series A et C du Pucheuil. Dans: Delagnes A., Ropars A. (dir.). Paleolithique moyen en pays de Caux (Haute-Normandie). Paris, 131–144.

Dibble H. L. 1987. The interpretation of Middle Paleolithic scraper morphology. American Antiquity 52. 109–117.

Gladilin V. M. 1966. Vіdkrittja must’єrs’koї stojanki na Donechchinі [Discovery of a Mousterian site in the Donetsk region]. Arheologіja XX, 135–142 (in Ukrainian).

Gladilin V. N. 1967. Nekotorye itogi issledovanija Antonovskogo rannepaleoliticheskogo mestonahozhdenija [Some results of the study of the early Paleolithic locality of Antonovka]. In: Tolochko P. P. (ed.). Arheologicheskie issledovanija na Ukraine v 1965–1966 godah. Vol. 1. Kiev: ≪Naukova dumka≫ Publ., 61–65 (in Russian).

Gladilin V. N. 1969. Antonovskoe rannepaleoliticheskoe mestonahozhdenie [Early Paleolithic site of Antonovka]. In: Bondarchuk V. G. (ed.). Materialy po chetvertichnomu periodu Ukrainy. Kiev: ≪Naukova dumka≫ Publ., 290–303 (in Russian).

Gladilin V. N. 1976. Problemy rannego paleolita Vostochnoj Evropy [Problems of the Early Paleolithic of East Europe]. Kiev: ≪Naukova dumka≫ Publ. (in Russian).

Golovanova L. V., Hoffeker D. F. 2000. Mikok na Severnom Kavkaze [Micoquian in the Northern Caucasus]. Arheologicheskij Almanakh 9, 35–64 (in Russian).

Joris O. 2001. Der spatmittelpalaolithische Fundplatz Buhlen (Grabungen 1966–69). Uniwersitatsforschungen zur prahistorischen Archaologie 73. Bonn.

Joris O. 2006. Bifacially backed knives (Keilmesser) in the Central European Middle Palaeolithic. In: Goren-Inbar N., Sharon G. (eds.). Axe Age Acheulian Toolmaking from Quarry to Discard. London: Equinox, 287–310.

Kolesnik A. V. 1996. K opredeleniju funkcional’noj variabel’nosti pamjatnikov srednego paleolita Donbassa [Towards the determination of functional variability of the Middle Paleolithic sites of Donbas]. Arheologicheskij almanah 5, 49–70 (in Russian).

Kolesnik A. V. 2003. Srednij paleolit Donbassa [Middle Paleolithic of Donbas] (Arheologicheskij almanah 12). Donetsk (in Russian).

Kolesnik A. V. 2018. Pamjatniki ≪vostochnogo mikoka≫ Donbassa i Severo-Vostochnogo Priazov’ja [Eastern Micoquian sites of Donbas and the Northeastern Azov Sea Shore]. Zapiski instituta istorii material’noj kul’tury RAN17, 141–150 (in Russian).

Kolesnik A. V. 2021. Prikladnye aspekty teorii redukcionnogo analiza kamennyh industrij [Applications of the theory of stone reduction analysis]. Izvestija Samarskogo nauchnogo centra RAN. Istoricheskie nauki 3 (1), 125–133 (in Russian).

Kolesnik A. V. Koncepcija binarnoj kul’turnoj oppozicii v srednem paleolite juga Vostochnoj Evropy: zadachi i perspektivy [Concept of the binary opposition in the Middle Paleolithic of the south of Eastern Europe] (in press) (in Russian).

Kolesnik A. V., Romashhenko N. I., Danilchenko A. Yu., Otcherednoy A. K., Zorov Yu. N. 2022. Mar’eva Gora [Mar’eva Gora]. In: Otcherednoi A. K., Titov V. V. (eds.). Rannij i srednij paleolit Priazov’ja: sovremennoe sostojanie issledovanij. Rostov-na-Donu: ≪Izdatelstvo Yuzhnogo Nauchnogo Thesntra RAN≫ Publ., 162–181 (in Russian).

Kolesnik A. V., Titov V. V., Danilchenko A. Yu., Otcherednoy A. K., Zenjuk D. A. 2022. Novye nahodki rannego i srednego paleolita v Vostochnom Priazov’e [New Early and Middle Paleolithic finds in eastern Azov Sea region]. In: Otcherednoi A. K., Titov V. V. (eds.). Rannij i srednij paleolit Priazov’ja: sovremennoe sostojanie issledovanij. Rostov-na-Donu: ≪Izdatelstvo Yuzhnogo Nauchnogo Thesntra RAN≫ Publ., 182–190 (in Russian).

Kolesnik A. V., Veselsky A. P. 1997. Novyj must’erskij pamjatnik u s. Cherkasskoe v Donbasse (predvaritel’noe soobshhenie) [New Mousterian site near the village of Cherkasskoe in Donbas: a preliminary report]. In: Bulatovich S. A. (ed.). Arheologija i jetnologija Vostochnoj Evropy. Materialy i issledovanija (sbornik nauchnyh statej, posvjashhennyh 60-letiju V. N. Stanko). Odessa: ≪Germes≫ Publ., 42–49 (in Russian).

Kolesnik A. V., Veselsky A. P. 2005. Cherkasskoe — kompleksnyj pamjatnik arheologii v bassejne Severskogo Donca [Cherkasskoe — a complex archaeological site in the Seversky Donets basin] (Arheologicheskij almanah 17). Donetsk (in Russian).

Kolesnik A. V., Zorov Yu. N., Danilchenko A. Yu., Titov V. V., Konstantinov E. A., Frolov P. D., Sychev N. V. 2023. Nikolaevo-Otradnoe II — a new Early and Middle Paleolithic site in the Northeastern Azov region]. Archaeology, ethnology and anthropology of Eurasia 3, 25–31.

Kolobova K. A., Harevich A. V., Chistyakov P. V., Bocharova E. N., Tjugashev E. I., Markin S. V., Olsen J. U. 2023. Na vostoke neandertal’skoj ojkumeny: sravnitel’noe issledovanie Sukhoi Mechetki i mikokskih kompleksov Altaja [In the east of the Neanderthal oecumene: a comparison of Sukhaya Mechetka with Micoquian assemblages of Altay]. Camera praehistorica 2, 20–39 (in Russian).

Kot M. A. 2013. The Earliest Middle Palaeolithic Bifacial Leafpoints in Central and Southern Europe. Technological Approach. PhD Thesis. Warsaw.

Kot M. A. 2014.The earliest Middle Palaeolithic bifacial leafpoints in Central and Southern Europe. Technological approach. Quaternary International 326–327, 381–397.

Koulakovskaya L., Kozlovski J., Sobczyk K. 1993. Les couteaux Micoquiens du Wurm. Prehistoire Europeenne 5, 9–20.

Matyukhin A. E. 2012. Biryuchia Balka‑2: Mnogoslojnyj paleoliticheskij pamjatnik v bassejne Nizhnego Dona [Biryuchia Balka‑2: A Multilayered Paleolithic site in the Lower Don Basin]. St. Petersburg: ≪Nestor-Istorija≫ Publ. (in Russian).

Migal W., Urbanowski M. 2006. Pradnik knives reused. Experimental approach. In: Wisniewski T., Płonka A., Burdukiewicz J. M. (eds.). The Stone. Technique and Technology. Warschau: Uniwersytet Wrocawski, 73–89.

Morrow J. E. 1995. Clovis projectile point manufacture: a perspective from the Ready/Lincoln Hills site, 11JY46, Jersey County, Illinois. Midcontinental Journal of Archaeology 20, 91–167.

Olih O. G., Danilchenko A. Yu., Revina E. I. 2019. Mar’eva Gora (Severo-Vostochnoe Priazov’e) — unikal’nyj pamjatnik arheologii [Mar’eva Gora (Northeastern Azov region) — a unique archaeological site]. Tyragetia 13 (28), 71–79 (in Russian).

Otcherednoy A. K. 2013. Analiz posledovatel’nosti rasshheplenija i zakonomernosti formoobrazovanija [Scar pattern analysis and regularities of form making]. Zapiski instituta istorii material’noj kul’tury RAN29, 26–36 (in Russian).

Otcherednoy A. K. 2014. Sistemy skalyvanija v analize izgotovlenija dvustoronneobrabotannyh orudij [Systems of flaking in the analysis of manufacture of bifacial tools]. Trudy istoricheskogo fakul’teta Sankt-Peterburgskogo universiteta 18, 215–224 (in Russian).

Otcherednoy A. K., Pugacheva E. V., Tarakanov A. S., Lada A. R. 2024. Verifikacija strukturnyh osobennostej izdelij srednego paleolita na primere kajl’messerov Sukhoi Mechetki [Verification of structural peculiarities of Middle Paleolithic artifacts as exemplified by keilmessers from Sukhaya Mechetka]. Stratum plus 1, 91–131 (in Russian).

Praslov N. D. 1968. Rannij paleolit Severo-Vostochnogo Priazov’ja i Nizhnego Dona [Early Paleolithic of the Northeastern Azov Region and Lower Don]. Leningrad: ≪Nauka≫ Publ. (in Russian).

Praslov N. D. 1972. Must’erskoe poselenie Nosovo I v Priazov’e [Mousterian site Nosovo I in the Azov region]. Materialy i issledovanija po arheologii SSSR185, 75–82 (in Russian).

Romashchenko N. I. 1997. Mar’eva Gora — novyj must’erskij pamjatnik v Severo-Vostochnom Priazov’e [Mar’eva Gora — a new Mousterian site in the Northeastern Azov region]. Istoriko-arheologicheskie issledovanija v Azove i na Nizhnem Donu 14, 11–13 (in Russian).

Shalagina A. V., Kolobova K. A., Krivoshapkin A. I. 2019. Analiz posledovatel’nosti skolov (scar-pattern) kak instrument rekonstrukcii processa izgotovlenija kamennyh artefaktov [Scar-pattern analysis as a method for the reconstruction of lithic artifacts production sequence]. Stratum plus 1, 145–154 (in Russian).

Shchelinsky V. E. 1999. Kamennaja industrija Nosovo I v Priazov’e: tehnologicheskij aspect [Stone industry of Nosovo I in the Azov region: a technological aspect]. Arheologicheskij almanah 8, 109–128 (in Russian).

Sobczyk K. 1992. Stefana Krukowskiego koncepcja Prądnika. W: Lech J., Partyka J. (red.). Prof. Stefan Krukowski 1890–1982. Działalność archeologiczna i jej znaczenie dla nauki polskiej. Ojcow: Władysław Szafer Museum, 103–117.

Urbanowski M. 2003. Prandnik Knives as Element of Micoquian Techno-stylistic Specifics. PhD thesis. Warsaw University.

Veil S., Breest K., Hofle H.-Ch., Meyer H.-H., Plisson H., Urban-Kuttel B., Wagner G. A., Zеoller L. 1994. Ein mittelpalaolithischer Fundplatz aus der Weichsel-Kaltzeit bei Lichtenberg, Ldkr. Luchow-Dannenberg. Zwischenbericht uber die archaologischen und geowissenschaftlichen Untersuchungen 1987–1992. Germania 72, 1–66.

Vishnyatsky L. B. 2023. O prostranstvennom i hronologicheskom sootnoshenii must’e i mikoka v Vostochnoj Evrope [About the spatial and chronological relationship between the Mousterian and Micoquian industries of East Europe]. Camera praehistorica 2, 8–19 (in Russian).

Weiss M., Otcherednoy A., Wiśniewski A. 2017. Using multivariate techniques to assess the effects of raw material, flaking behavior and tool manufacture on assemblage variability: An example from the late Middle Paleolithic of the European Plain. Journal of Archaeological Science 87, 73–94.

Weiss M., Lauer T., Wimmer R., Pop C. M. 2018. The variability of the Keilmesser-concept: a case study from Central Germany. Journal of Paleolithic Archaeology 1, 202–246.

Zorov Yu. N., Kolesnik A. V., Otcherednoy A. K. 2018. Sledy paleolita na juzhnom beregu Taganrogskogo zaliva i v del’te Dona [Paleolithic vestiges on the southern shore of the Taganrog Bay and at the Don river mouth]. Povolzhskaja arheologija 3, 208–220 (in Russian).