Early Upper Paleolithic periodization based materials from Tolborian group of sites in Northern Mongolia

Purpose: This article is presented the results of technical and typological analysis of Tolbor-15 site collection, complexes of horizons 7-6 and 5. The goal of this issue is to create an internal periodization of Early Upper Paleolithic (EUP) of Northern Mongolia. Basis of this periodization was formed by EUP complexes of Tolbor-4, 15, 16 and 21 sites. All sites are located in Ikh-Tulberiin-Gol River valley circa 10-15 km from the confluence with the Selenga. Deluvial apron with different slope degree is single for all sites as a geomorphological position, except for Tolbor-15. This site is situated in alluvial terrace and his sedimentation had taken place with alluvial process participation. Other locations are presented by loess sedimentary. The typical feature of these sites is their situation near primary sources of raw materials, which could be used for tool production. Assemblages contains the artifacts made from raw materials from local primary sources and transportable raw material, which sources weren`t found in the examined part of valley. The second variant is presented by siliceous dreg, part of it has a good quality, but other part has a high constancy according to Mohs scale. The presence of cores in assemblage could be the evidence that these raw materials were transported in the form of pieces of stones or preforms. Horizon 5 of Tolbor-15 shows the transition in utilization strategy from using alluvial pebble to mining raw material from outcrops. Horizon 5 has a narrow range of blanks, when horizon 7-6 complex is presented various blanks, including different types of flakes. But both of them are demonstrate abrupt cutting down of prismatic blade production. It is the main distinction of these complexes from the IUP industries. Horizon 5 is presented cutting down of typologically distinct cores and tools. Core reduction shows the domination of unidirectional and bidirectional flat flake cores. Tool kit consists of retouched flakes and blades, end-scrapers and scrapers. The shares of perforators and denticulate and notched tools and their combination are reduced. Results: Periodization is suggested three stages of Early Upper Paleolithic. The first is IUP including horizons 6-5 Tolbor4, horizons 7 (lower part) Tolbor-16 and lower horizon of Tolbor-21. Time span of this stage is from 45 to 37 ka 14C BP. Next stage lasting from 37 to 32 ka 14C BP is EUP-1. This stage is presented by horizons 7-6 Tolbor-15, horizon 4 Tolbor-4 and upper part of horizon 7, Tolbor-16. The EUP-2, final stage, had continued from 32 to 25 ka 14C BP. This stage is associated with materials of horizon 5 Tolbor-15 and, preliminary, horizon 6/5 Tolbor-16. Development of industries was consistent and genetically connected in time, but not always evolutionary. Conclusion: According to materials and dates we can suppose, that Early Upper Paleolithic wasn`t homogeneous and stable period. It was stage with interior development, which was associated with climatic changes, quality of raw material and specification of human activities.