Study of flaking technique based on the Kulbulak site materials

Upper Paleolithic cultural layers 2.1 and 2.2 were identified during the excavation of lithological layer 2 at Kulbulak site (Uzbekistan) in 2007-2011. Bladelet production constitutes an essential part in both industries. Attributive analysis of the knapping products, with a focus on the study of the blank’s proximal zone morphology, was made to determine the flaking technique used in the manufacture of blanks. As a result, the significant increase in the proportion of blanks with linear and spot platforms, as well as in the proportion of products with reduced platforms, was recorded in a layer 2.1 as compared with the older layer 2.2. This result indicates that the significant difference between the industries of two layers of Kulbulak site consists in increased use of Upper Paleolithic flaking technique, mainly for the production of bladelets.