Transitional middle to upper paleolithic industries in the Rubas valley, coastal Dagestan

The stratigraphy ofRubas-1 Paleolithic site in coastal Dagestan is described, and results of a detailed technical and typological analysis oflithics from the upper horizon, excavated from five trenches in 2006-2007, are outlined. The resource base is assessed. Results suggest that the assemblage dates to the period transitional between the Middle and the Upper Paleolithic. Industries of the Dagestan coast are compared with those of the Caucasus and the Russian Plain.