Bracelets made of torbanite from Malta site collection

The article presents the results of microscopic analysis of bracelets fragments made of torbanite. A special analysis of the product surface in this study using a stereoscopic microscope Altami SM0745. The artifacts were found in the collection of the famous Siberian Upper Paleolithic location of Malta in the State Historical Museum (Moscow). The bracelets as personal ornaments in the Paleolithic period are known as the individual discoveries, as well as their images in the sculpture and graphics. According to the use-wear and iconographic analysis we could determine the function of the artifacts that represent fragments of bracelets. In general, such products manufacturing technology can be characterized as relatively primitive. In their manufacture only two tools were used (cutter/graver and hard scraper). The selection of a relatively fragile, though well treated, raw material (torbanite is a coal varieties) is not optimal for preparing of a bracelet. Generally, the technological characteristics are stable for the production of such items in the Upper Paleolithic