Neolithic-eneolithic findings from Dolgaya 1 site (south of Lower Tom' region)

Purpose: The purpose of the article is a cultural and chronological interpretation of the complex of Neolithic and Eneolithic artifacts found in 2008-2012 while examining the Dolgaya 1 settlement (Yashkino district, Kemerovo region). At the present, this site is the only fully examined archaeological complex in the Southern regions of the Lower Tom. The Dolgaya 1 materials form the chronostratic sequence (NeolithicMetal-Middle Age) which represents the basic scheme for archaeological periodization for this region. The found Neolithic-Eneolithic artifacts mark the lowest chronostratic cultural layer of the site and give information about the specific peculiarities of the cultural and historical processes of these periods on the territory of Lower Tom region and the Kuznetsk Depression in general. Results: The research is based on typological and morphological descriptions of the ceramic ware and stone artifacts complexes as well as comparing them to the material of the same period from the neighbouring areas of forest-steppe and forest Ob regions. The article presents some novel data of radiocarbon dating of burned deposit from the Late Neolithic ceramic vessel surface which complete the absolute chronology data for this period in South-East of Western Siberia. The remains of ten vessels are typologically close to so called Izyly type complexes of Eastern regions of the Upper Ob region and similarly to them can be dated within the first half of the V millennium BC forming chronological group I (developed Neolithic). These materials found in the South of the Lower Tom region confirm V. A. Zakh's theory about including the foothills of Kunetsk Alatau to the area of this type of sites. The remains of other four ceramic sharp-bottomed and flat-bottomed vessels have the closest analogies in materials from forest-steppe and forest Ob region of the Late Neolithic and Eneolithic (Early Metal) periods, which specialists consider to belong to the Kiprino, Irba and Novokuskovo cultural types. Considering the historiography of the problem, the article suggests to classify these artifacts within the united Kiprino-Irbino-Novokusino cultural space of the Late Neolithic-Eneolithic periods dated the V - the first half of the IV millennium BC. The dating is confirmed by the radiocarbon dating results which allow to classify this complex within the chronological group II. The remains of only one ceramic vessel of Dolgaya 1 settlement represent the Igrekovo type similar to the ware from Irgekovo 1 and 2 settlements and Tomsk burial ground from the Old Muslim cemetery. Considering the last works on the radiocarbon dating of the Igrekovo type complexes in forest and forest-steppe regions of Western Siberia (V. I. Molodin and G. V. Sinitsina's studies), this complex has also to be dated of Late Neolithic-Eneolithic i. e. late V - early IV millennia BC. Alongside with the Kiprino-Irbino-Novokusino complex, the Igrekovo vessel belongs to the chronological group II. This group of ceramics (Late Neolithic-Eneolithic) seems to be related to some specific stone artifacts: arrow points, abrasive straighteners, leaf-like chipper blades, weight rods for fishing hooks. Conclusion: The analysed materials allow the regional periodization of Neolithic Age as well as witness the complex processes of the cultural interaction on this territory during the Late Neolithic and Eneolithic periods marking the area of common existence of Bolshoi Mys, KiprinoIrbino-Novokuskovo and Igrekovo groups.