2022 archaeological investigation of Kharganyn-Gol-13 initial Upper Paleolithic site (Mongolia)

In 2022, the Russian-Mongolian archaeological expedition excavated the Kharganyn-Gol-13 site located in the valley of the Kharganyn-Gol River east of the Ikh-Tulburiyn-gol (Tolbor) Riverflowing in parallel direction, which is known for a large series of stratified Paleolithic sites. The site is located on a significantly eroded slope dissected into several small terraces and has a southwestern exposure. A study of the Kharganyn-Gol-13 site in 2022 determined that the site is the Initial Upper Paleolithic site with a single cultural layer. Despite substantial bioturbation, the slope sediments containing this assemblage reveal a single, compactly distributed cultural layer containing a relatively small set of artifacts. The industry appears to be blade-based, dominated by medium- and large-sized bidirectional blades, also noted the presence of some bladelet component. The amount of crested blades and side blades is noticeable. The only core in the complex is represented by a subprismatic bidirectional blade core, which is in the final reduction stage. The proportion of the toolkit is not less than 15 % of the collection. Heavily retouched tools are absent. Retouched blanks, notches, and perforators are the most widely represented. This set of features is characteristic of short-term sites. The settlement pattern observed at the Kharganyn-Gol-13 site is exceptionally rare in the Tolbor Paleolithic region. Obviously, this complex is associated with the movement of small human populations that followed the animals inhabiting the open spaces that were the main hunting targets for the populations of the Selenga River basin during the Initial Upper Paleolithic.