Stone Ornaments within the Structure of the Habitation Area of Cultural Layer VII at the Ushki I Site, Kamchatka

Purpose. This article presents research results on the spatial aspects of human activities related to the making and use of stone personal ornaments in cultural layer VII at the Ushki I settlement in Kamchatka. Results. We have established that the entire production cycle for specific personal ornament types – primarily chlorite beads and pendants – occurred directly on site. The combination of raw materials, knapped products, blanks, semi-finished items, unfinished products, and finished items indicates localized production within constructions. These dwellings were situated in the northeast and southwest parts of the site. We have reconstructed the process of bead and pendant production in detail for dwelling number 2. Here, near the fireplace, was identified a specialized workshop. The discovery of intact and fragmented beads and pendants on the floor or within the hearths of specific structures is likely to indicate loss due to daily wear. Conclusion. The spatial distribution of personal ornaments from the Early Ushki culture matches patterns observed at other important Upper Paleolithic sites in extreme northeast Asia.