Microinventory of the Early Upper Palaeolithic Barun-Alan 1 site (Western Transbaikal): stratigraphic and spatial organization context

Extensive use of high-developed microblade technologies on the territory of Western Transbaikal is traditionally dated to the final Paleolithic. However due to materials of Palaeolithic site Barun-Alan 1this point of view can be changed and the first time of microblade techniques emergence can be referred to the transitional period from Middle to Upper Palaeolithic. Eight lithological layers are recognized on the Barun-Alan 1 site, 4 from them (6, 7, 7g and 8) contain archeo-logical materials of Palaeolithic time. According to radiocarbon data the age of the boundary of the 6 and 7 layers is 35 - 40 kya. The material cultures of 6 layer on the one hand and 7 and 8 layers on the other differ considerably from each other. A new archeological culture named hengerectae and destinguished with a big quantity of bifaces were detached by V.I. Tashak on the base of 6 layer assemblages. The industry of the 7th and 8th layers is characterized with protoprizmatic, prismatic and levallois techniques of stone knapping. One of the most interesting peculiarities of these layers stone industry is the presence of the significant microindustry, including products of high developed microblade knapping, which is represented with wedge-shaped cores for microblade removing and microblades. The microtools, fashioned on small flakes, bladelets and microblades, include such types as end-scrapers, burins and chisel like tools. In distinction from macro knapping exploited less quality raw materials - rhyolite-porphyry and tuff, high-quality jasper-like and chert-like raw materials were used for microindustry items production. Microindustry artifacts were found in the 7 layer, in contact zone of 6 and 7 layers and also in rodent's burrows, destroyed the considerable part of the 6 and upper levels of the 7 layers. Due to this the question about belonging microindustry to the 7 layer, which is dated to the period earlier 40 kya, or about possibility of microtools transfer from upper cultural layers. At this article microindustry is considered in the context of stratigraphical spread and spatial organization of microindustry items, and their techno-typological associations with the macro knapping complex of the 7 layer. The purpose of this article is proving the unity of macro- and microcomplexes in the frames of 7 layer stone industry. On the base of evaluation of artifacts' stratigraphy situation the microtools concentration in layer 7g is revealed. Spatial organization analysis indicated compact distribution of materials direct around fixed in the layer structural elements of settlement character. These facts confirm the conclusion that microindustry, found in situ just in the 7 layer, is a component part of complex of knapping technologies and macrotools production, and it is dated to the age of 40 kya.

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