New research results on the Holocene sediments from the south chamber of Denisova cave

In 2017, the study of the Holocene strata at the mouth of the South Chamber in Denisova Cave was continued. The stratigraphic profile in this part of the cave has revealed eight units - layers 0, and 2-8. Layer 2 yielded archaeological evidence attributed to the Early Iron Age, mostly including pottery fragments and isolated Medieval finds. The greater part of layer 3 had been destroyed by an ancient pit resulting from anthropogenic activities; the filling of the pit contained mixed archaeological assemblages dating to the Early Iron Age and Early Bronze Age. Layers 4 and 5 mainly contained pottery fragments associated with the Afanasievo culture of the Early Bronze Age. Layers 6 and 7 contained lithic artifacts which appear to have been redeposited from the underlying Pleistocene sediments due to the activities of burrowing animals. Layers 0 and 8 turned out to be sterile.