Spatial analysis of early holocene cultural layers of ostrov Listvenichny site (Northern Angara region)

An integral part of a comprehensive study of the archaeological site is a study of its spatial organization. The definition of structural relationships between objects composing the surface of the habitation, allows to approach the understanding of the organization of the site space and adaptive strategies of ancient man. Purpose of the authors was to conduct spatial analysis of early Holocene cultural layers on the Ostrov Listvenichny site. The tasks of the analysis include the identification of zones of production and economic activity, the specifics of their location and specialization. Listvenichny Island was located (now flooded by the waters of the Boguchanskiy reservoir) in the middle reaches of the Angara River, in the Irkutsk Region, near the border with Krasnoyarsk Region. The site was discovered and explored by the authors as part of the rescue archaeological work of the Boguchanskaya expedition of the IAET SB RAS. There are seven levels of occurrence of cultural remains on the site. The second level of the first location and the third and fifth levels of the second location were defined as the most representative and characterizing the object. The source of this article is the materials of the second and fifth early Holocene levels of the first and second locations, respectively, obtained during excavations in 2011-12. The occurrence of cultural remains in conditions of undisturbed stratigraphy of flood-plain alluvial deposits makes it possible to consider a highly valid method for determining the structures of site complexes of the first and second locations. On two locations, we observe a different spatial situation from each other. On the first location, archaeological material is distributed in a small area. Concentrations are characterized by a mixed composition. They are mainly represented by kitchen remnants. The second site location demonstrates pronounced zoning by specialization of activity. Identified objects form zones of different functional orientation. All together, they give a single, structurally interconnected picture of the surface of the habitation. With confidence were defined areas where the full cycle of stone knapping took place: from core flaking to the direct manufacture of tools; the zone for cutting hunting production; zone with signs of dwelling arrangement. As a result of the conducted spatial analysis, we see that at the first location, judging by the composition of the kitchen remnants and the tool kit, the ancient population of the site was engaged in fishing activities. The second location demonstrates a virtually complete subsistence system: litho-production, cutting of taking, dwelling area. Despite the fact that the time of existence of the first and second locations are generally comparable (9-8,5 thousand years ago), we do not assert absolute simultaneity of their existence and the fact that it was one group of the population. But, thanks to the spatial analysis, we are talking about the different structure and the functional orientation of the locations. And the revealed production differentiation is indicative of seasonal cycles of hunting-fishing activity.

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