Bioarchaeological study of human skeletal fragments from upper paleolithic site Kostenki 8

Skeletal materials from the Upper Paleolithic site Kostenki on the Middle Don gives new data on human settling, adaptation and cultural traditions in Eurasia. Burnt human bones from Kostenki 8 were analysed to reconstruct burial rite. Skeletal remains were discovered on the dwelling floor, which indicates tradition of deposition them (first of all skulls) in residential space. Isotopic data let discussing the dietary ecology, lifestyle and local environment. Stable isotope analysis of bone collagen was carried out by Thermo-Finnigan Delta V Plus continuous-flow IRMS coupled with elemental analyzer (Thermo Flash 1112) in the Institute of Ecology and Evolution, RAS. Comparison with isotopic data from European Upper Paleolithic sites suggests that the Kostenki humans hunted large herbivorous mammals of the cold steppe zone.