Research in a new area of the Upper Paleolithic Ushbulak site in Eastern Kazakhstan in 2023

This article describes a new stage of archaeological research at the Ushbulak Paleolithic site. In 2023, works continued in exploratory pit 16 which was made in 2022 on the right bank of the Vostochnyi stream. The original area ofpit 16 was expanded to 6 sq. m. with maximum depth of exposed deposits reaching ~4 m. New information on the stratigraphy of the excavated area, technical and typological analysis of archaeological evidence obtained in 2023 as well as its cultural and chronological interpretation are discussed. Twelve layers were identified in the cross-section and were united into five units according to the genesis of the sediments. Archaeological evidence was unearthed from the upper four units. It was localized at several main levels. Artifacts from the Advanced Upper Paleolithic were found in the upper part of the cross-section. Its lower part contained the evidence of the Initial Upper Paleolithic. New collection included 215 items (211 stone artifacts and 4 fragments of animal bones and teeth), of which 143 were found onsite and 72 were discovered during sieving. Composition of sediments in exploratory pit 16 and nature of archaeological evidence associated with them makes it possible to correlate them with deposits from excavation pit 2. Layers ofpit 16 were located at a hypsometrically higher level and had slightly different genesis. Correlation of stratigraphic units on two banks of the stream has made it possible to identify main stages of sedimentation in this area of the Ushbulak site and establish a preliminary chronology.