Evolution of cores at the sites along the northern coast of the valley of lakes (Mongolia)

The Valley of Lakes is a vast depression located between Khangai and Gobi Altai. Archaeological sites are concentrated within the basins of Baidarik-Gol, Nariin-Gol, Tuin-Gol, Tatsin-Gol, and around Orok-Noor Lake. The most representative collection of Levallois-like cores was obtained for the locations of the Nariin-Gol valley (points 17a and 17b), Baidarik-Gol, and near Orok-Noor Lake. At Nariin-Gol, points 17a and 17b, pre-Mousterian tradition of percussion is traced. It is represented by large multi-platform orthogonal cores with high degree of deflation. At the same sites, the Mousterian complex with Levallois cores is also presented. There are also traces of the emergence of the parallel system of percussion. Cores from the sites near Orok-Noor Lake (Orok-Noor 1 and 2), and near Guchin-Us somon (Guchin-Us 4) are very similar to the finds from Nariin-Gol-single and double-platform subprismatic cores for shortened blade blanks and Levallois cores predominate. In spite of the presence of the majority of Levallois cores in the Orok-Noor collection, the majority of blanks is represented by blade-like forms which could be the signal of the late Mousterian age of these sites. Materials from the sites of the Valley of Lakes demonstrate continuous chaîne operatoire of the Paleolithic industries evolution. Pre-Mousterian time is characterized by complexes at Nariin-Gol 17a, 17b, Baidarik 10, and Guchin-Us 5. The Levallois technique is found at the sites of Nariin-Gol and Baidarik-Gol Rivers, near Orok-Noor Lake (Orok-Noor 1 and 2), and near Argalant. In its turn, the Upper Paleolithic technique of percussion is known from almost all sites in the Valley of Lakes.