Analyses of the Holocene deposits from Denisova cave in 2018

In 2018, research focused on further analyses of the Holocene deposits from the South Chamber of Denisova Cave has been continued. The stratigraphic section established in the middle part of the chamber has made it possible to recognize layers 0, 2-5, 7 and 8. Layers 0, 2 and the upper part of layer 3 yielded archaeological materials attributed to the Early Iron Age and containing mostly pottery fragments. The lower part of layer 3 revealed the isolated Late Bronze Age artifacts, including a Karasuk-style knife. Layers 4 and 5 produced mainly pottery fragments from vessels attributed to the Afanasievo culture dating back to the Early Bronze Age, as well as isolated younger artifacts recovered from the disturbed parts of the layer. Layer 7 yielded stone artifacts redeposited from the underlying Pleistocene sediments. Layer 8 has proven to be archaeologically sterile.