Research of the Darvagchai-Zaliv-4 multi-layer site in 2020

The article provides the latest results obtained in the course of research of the Darvagchay-Zaliv-4 site (South-Eastern Dagestan). During the excavations, additional archaeological evidence were obtained confirming the presence of three different-time artifact assemblages at the site, the chronological framework of which was established earlier based on the results of malacofauna analysis, paleomagnetic studies, and absolute OSL dating. The lithic industry of the first assemblage is characterized by the Levallois splitting technique and the typical middle-Paleolithic toolkit; the artifacts were located in Layer 1 c. Chronologically, the time of its existence is determined by the Riess-Wurm (Mikulinsky) interglacial period, 125110 thousand years ago (MIS 5e). The artifacts from another assemblage found in Layer 3 (pebble-gravel deposits) belong to the final Acheulean. The age of the horizon is determined in the range of250-220 thousand years ago (MIS 7). The collection of stone products found in Layer 5 (sea pebbles and sand) belongs to the late Acheulean and is an evidence of the earliest appearance of the ancient man in the territory under consideration (380-330 thousand years ago (MIS 11-10)). The most expressive part of the early Paleolithic collections are large pebble and bifacially processed tools. Among the tools on the flakes, there are small series of scraper-shaped, spike-shaped, and notched tools. These industries have a number of common features that demonstrate a clear similarity in design techniques and product types. The main reason for existing differences in the provided assemblages is their chronological position.