Shulbinka paleolithic site, eastern kazakhstan, revisited

This study revises the cultural and chronological attribution of the Shulbinka site, Eastern Kazakhstan, with reference to recent ideas of the Early Upper Paleolithic in northern Central Asia, based on new sites dating to that stage (Tolbor-21, Ushbulak, etc.) and a representative series of absolute dates relevant to its chronology. The discovery of the site is described, and principalfindings of excavations carried out more than 20 years ago are outlined. The focus is made on the comprehensive analysis of artifacts from Shulbinka, conducted in 2019. It is demonstrated that the estimated age and the cultural attribution of the site disagree with the existing interpretation. Earlier claims about the presence of Levallois andMousterian components in the primary reduction system are not supported. The idea that artifacts from the site resemble those of the Early Upper Paleolithic is subjected to a critical inquiry. As it turns out, the closest parallels are found among the Final Upper Paleolithic industries of southern and central Siberia. They include the combination of large cores for making flakes and blades with edge-faceted and wedge-shaped microcores, and the predominance of end-scrapers and pieces esquillees. Parallels with industries of a different cultural and chronological attribution are absent. We conclude that the site of Shulbinka dates to the Final Paleolithic. Absence of Final Middle Paleolithic or Early Upper Paleolithic markers makes the site irrelevant to debates around the origin of the Upper Paleolithic in the region.