New data on carinated cores/end-scrapers in west Central Asia

The article discusses the results of scar pattern analysis of carinated cores/end-scrapers from the Upper Paleolithic Kulbulak complexes (Western Central Asia). Currently, carinated end-scrapers, previously regarded as markers of Aurignacian, have been found in various cultural and chronological contexts. Typically, such items are defined as cores, although with typological tool definitions. In this article, a scar pattern analysis was applied to determine whether the artifacts belonged to cores or tools. The applied method allows reconstructing the process of stone artifact manufacture by studying all negatives on its surfaces and determining their mutual sequence. The analysis included 26 items from Kulbulak (layer 2.1), Shugnou (layers 2-3) and Dodekatym-2 (layer 5). The analysis established that the carinated cores/end-scrapers were made also on the chunks rather than on the flakes only. The process of obtaining target spalls (bladelets with a curved profile) was always preceded by the front preparation stage. The front was prepared by removal of technical spalls with the flake parameters. In the sequences of studied carinated cores processing, up to two stages of obtaining the target blanks were distinguished. The second stage of flaking was also preceded by an additional front and/or striking platform preparation. As a result, it was unambiguously concluded that the studied carinated cores/end-scrapes are technologically cores. This is evidenced by the recorded stage of front preparation by removing technical flakes, one or more stages of implementation of target bladelets with certain morphological characteristics, as well as the preceding stage of overhang trimming.