The ceramic complex from cultural layer ix at the Ulan-Khada habitation site on lake Baikal

We present the results of an analysis of ceramic materials uncovered in layer IX from the Ulan-Khada habitation site, situated on the shore of the Little Sea of Lake Baikal. On the basis of morphological indicators, we distinguish several ceramic groupings. A comparison of these materials with those found at surrounding Neolithic sites in the Olkhon region and the broader Cis-Baikal enables us to define the relative and absolute chronology for these groups. We propose that layer IX represents a compression that contains artifacts from various culture-historic periods within the Neolithic. It contains materials from the Middle (Posol’sk type ceramics) and Late (ceramics decorated with various impressed stamp methods and dotted-comb designs) Neolithic. Net-impressed ceramics also accompanied these complexes during the entire Neolithic period. Overall dates for layer IX at Ulan-Khada range from 5900-4300 BP (6750-4870 cal BP).