Neolithic industries of the Ust-Kutarey area in the North Angara region: challenges, specifics, and parallels

The current study stage includes dynamic analysis of archeological materials obtained during rescue work at the Boguchanskaya Hydro Power Plant and their inclusion into the scholarly discourse. The archaeological investigations have led to the discovery of numerous archaeological materials, including at the sites located in the estuary of the Kutarey River (Ust-Kutarey, Senkin Kamen, Gora Kutarey, Ruchey Povarny). The formation specifics of sediments and the challenges associated with the research of the archeological materials of the region substantiate the need for detailed research, planigraphic analysis, and comparative studies with the same-age sites located in the Angara Region. As a result of the studies of the archaeological materials from the Ust-Kutarey site, relatively “pure” Neolithic complexes as well as mixed (with an admixture of Bronze Age and Medieval Age ceramics) complexes were discovered. To provide a clearer understanding of the situation in the Ust-Kutarey area in general, a sampling was made for a comparative analysis of the materials from adjacent sites (Gora Kutarey and Senkin Kamen). The research allowed establishing that the territory of the estuary of the Kutarey River housed the concentrated production of laminar flakes, while the Gora Kutarey site accommodated the adzes, axes, and radial side-scrapersproduction. Moreover, the analysis of target laminarflakes was also carried out. This allowed to identify, although with a certain degree of conditionality, the earlier (middle) stage of the Neolithic (the site in the estuary of the Ust-Kutarey River, horizon 2, layer 3) and the later (horizon 1, layer 3; layer 2 of the Ust-Kutarey, Gora Kutarey site) stage.