Studies of the middle and upper paleolithic technocomplexes of Denisova cave in 2021

The authors present results of the studies of the lithic industries associated with the upper part of the Pleistocene deposits in the South Chamber of Denisova Cave; the lithics were recovered in the course of excavations in 2021. The collection of artifacts from layers 12, 11, and 9 includes over 4,000 items. According to the absolute dates of the Pleistocene layers in the entryway zone of the South Chamber, layer 12 formed in the second half of MIS 4, and layer 11 accumulated in the first half of MIS 3. The sediments of layer 9 are presumably associated with MIS 2. Primary reduction strategy of the Middle Paleolithic complex from layer 12 is characterized by the use of the Levallois technique of detaching flakes, blades and points. Other cores were fashioned through parallel and radial reduction, which is fully consistent with the flake industry. Side-scrapers of various types are most numerous in the toolkit. The Early Upper Paleolithic industry associated with layer 11is based on the well developed blade technique, incl. small and micro-blade production. Most of the items in the list of typologically significant tools are the tools of the apparent Upper Paleolithic morphology - end-scrapers, burins, retouched blades, backed bladelets and micro-blades, perforators and chisel-like tools. The small archaeological collection from layer 9, as well as the industry from layer 11, is characterized by the well-developed lamellar reduction and the Upper Paleolithic types in the toolkit. This complex illustrates continuous development of the Upper Paleolithic traditions at the medial stage of this period.