Pottery of the Ust-Biyke-I settlement (research of 2020)

This article presents detailed analysis of pottery collection from the Ust-Biyke-I site in the lower reaches of the Katun River (Chemal District of the Altai Republic). Research of the team from IAET SB RAS in 2020 was aimed at obtaining new data on stratigraphy, saturation, and preservation of cultural deposits, using the minimum area of the archaeological site (5.2 sq. m). The upper part of deposits in sandy loam terrace (layers 2, 3, and 4) contained cultural remains (stone artifacts and osteological evidence). Ninety six pottery fragments were found only in two upper layers. A significant difference between the finds from different layers was established after detailed analysis of pottery collection (color, fabric composition, treatment of the external surface of vessels, type of ornamentation, and method of its execution). Pottery from layer 2 was distinguished by pearl-like ornamentation on the rim combined with rows of comb stamps and patterns of vertical and inclined incised lines. The most informative pottery finds from layer 3 were fragments decorated with comb stamp imprints on the external surface of the vessel or with incised lines on the inside. Numerous hollow channels from burned organic matter (animal hair) were on the surface. Such distinctive pottery traditions may be important for identifying cultural parallels. The study shows that pottery fragments from layer 2 had direct parallels with the evidence of the Afanasievo culture, andfinds from layer 3 with Neolithic complexes at multilayer sites of Tytkesken-II and Tytkesken-VI.