Study of Early Paleolithic assemblages of Mis 14 in the Obi-Mazar river valley (Tajikistan) in 2023

This article describes the work of the jointRussian-Tajik geoarchaeological expedition in 2023. The expedition explored a complex of Early Paleolithic artifacts from excavation pit 2 at the Lahuti IV site, which occurred in loess deposits between pedocomplexes (PC) 5 and 6. The collection was unearthed from the excavation area of 9 sq. m at the base and 5 m deep. Archaeological works in 2023 explored loess sediments from the base of PC 5 to PC 6, as well as upper paleosols of PC 6. Ten lithological layers were identified in the cross-section and were grouped into three main units: carbonate horizon at the base of PC 5 (layer 0), loess complex L6 (between PC 6 and PC5) including several horizons of both clear loess and poorly developed paleosols (layers 1-6), and upper part of PC6, represented by upper paleosol 6a (layers 7-9). The total collection (73 items) obtained in 2023 from excavation pit 2 included 64 stone artifacts and 9 fragments of teeth and bones. Archaeological and paleontological evidence occurred in layers 4-6 (62 items) and layers 8-9 (11 items). Archaeological evidence in loess L6 has been found in four horizons. The stratigraphy as well as technical and typological features of stone tools make it possible to view all material evidence from the loess complex as a single industry. According to the available chronostratigraphic chart, the studied sequence of loess L6 corresponds to MIS 14 and has the age of ~560-520 ka.