New data on small vertebrates from the east chamber of Denisova cave

A total of over 17,000 bones and teeth from layers 17.1, 15-11.1 and 9 have been analyzed. The study shows that the biotopes remained highly mosaic throughout the history of sedimentation in the East Chamber of the cave in the Anui River valley. Forests alternated with areas covered by meadow and steppe vegetation. Plant associations typical of dry steppes and low-shrub tundra were represented by small zones. Forest stand included both broad-leaved and dark-coniferous species. Climate fluctuations led to the changes of ratio between the areas occupied by different environmental systems. The diversity and richness of natural environments provided favorable conditions for the Paleolithic humans.