Bladelet production in the upper Paleolithic industries of Denisova Cave

A representative collection of cores, technical spalls, bladelets, and microblades, indicating developed technology of bladelet production in the Initial, Early, and Middle Upper Paleolithic of the Altai Mountains was obtained in many years of field research of the upper part of the Pleistocene deposits in different areas of Denisova Cave, including the area in front of the entrance as well as Main, East, and South Chambers. This article describes the composition of the collection and morphological analysis of bladelets and microblades from the Upper Paleolithic layers of Denisova Cave. It has been established that bladelets and microblades were produced from subprismatic and narrow-faced cores. Microblades were frequently distinguished by miniature punctiform or lensshaped straight or slightly inclined striking platforms, straight or slightly curved profile, absence of the bulb of percussion, and subtrapezoidal cross-section. Bladelets often had linear or arched residual striking platforms slightly inclined towards the back, sometimes with overhang reduction, and straight or slightly curved profile. The relief of the bulbs of percussion is undefined or diffuse; bulb scars are rare; about a third of the bladelets had a ventral overhang on the residual striking platform. Varieties with different cross-section equally appear among bladelets and microblades. Both categories manifest medial fragmentation, longitudinal unidirectional dorsal scar pattern, and broken or feather-like ends. The composition of the collection and main technical and typological features of bladelets and microblades indicate a possible practice of volumetric reduction and pressure flaking techniques, starting from the Early Upper Paleolithic.