Age of the early Paleolithic site of Darvagchay-Zaliv-4 (Southeastern Dagestan)

The article presents the preliminary results of interdisciplinary research at the site of Darvagchay-Zaliv-4 in Southeastern Dagestan. During many years of excavations, the cultural layers of the site have been explored in the area of over 90 m2. Archaeological works yielded a collection of stone artifacts numbering over 700 objects. Paleontological data (analysis of the mollusk faunal remains) and paleomagnetic studies make it possible to establish the age of the cultural layers at the site. The data obtained using the methods of the natural sciences indicates that the time when the cultural layers emerged correlates with various phases of the Caspian Sea and according to the accepted stratigraphic framework, corresponds to the age of ~0.4-0.3 million years BP (MIS stage 11-9).