2022 archaeological investigation of Tolbor-21 Paleolithic site (Mongolia)

As a result of ongoing studies of the Tolbor 21 Paleolithic site in Northern Mongolia since 2014, the total area of excavation pit 2 uncovered is presently 34 sq. m. Three lithological layers were identified in the sediments of excavation pit 2 (2022) reaching to a depth of 200 cm. Five cultural horizons, including seven levels of archaeological material deposition were recorded there. In the most intensively inhabited horizon 4 at the site, areas of different activity of ancient populations can be identified. The discovery of new ornaments in archaeological horizon 4 allows delineating a local area of the site with a high concentration of ornaments made from soft stone and ostrich egg shells. In the complex of horizon 3.1 related to the late phase of the Early Upper Paleolithic, a geometric trapezoid was found, which allows a more reliable determination of the age of these artifacts, attributing them to the final MIS 3. The discovery of a series of centripetal Levallois cores in the complex of archaeological horizon 4, which is attributed to the final stage of the Early Upper Paleolithic width reduction methods similar to those identified for the Middle Paleolithic industry of layer 3 of the Orkhon-1 site, presents a new problem. Options for interpreting this phenomenon include the existence of continuity, or mutual influence, between the hominin populations of the Final Middle and Early Upper Paleolithic in Mongolia, whose technological impulse translated down to the beginning of the Early Upper Paleolithic. Another possible explanation for the phenomenon of the emergence of the typical Levallois component in the Upper Paleolithic context is an independent inventory of the Levallois technology.