Blade points from the Ust-Kutarey site in the North Angara region

Rescue archaeological excavations performed in the North Angara region (2008-2011) have provided many archaeological sites, including Ust-Kutarey, Senkin Kamen, Gora Kutarey, and Ruchey Povarny. Currently, the obtained evidence is being actively analyzed and introduced to the scientific use. Specifics of formation of cultural sediments and problems associated with the study of materials from the region especially require detailed research, spatial analysis, and comparison with adjacent and synchronous sites in the Angara Region. A detailed study of the evidence from the Ust-Kutarey site determined conventionally "pure" Neolithic and mixed (with an admixture of Bronze to Medieval age ceramics) complexes. To provide a better understanding of the situation in the Ust-Kutarey region as a whole, the collection of samples (blades, cores, stone tools) was selected for the comparative analysis of the evidence from the adjacent locations (Gora Kutarey and Senkin (Siniy) Kamen). The study established that the Ustye Reki Kutarey site was engaged in the production of small blade flakes, while the Gora Kutarey site produced adzes, axes, and radial scrapers. Moreover, the analysis of the target blade flakes and bifacial products was performed. As a result, it was possible, although with a degree of conditionality, to distinguish the earlier (middle) stage of the Neolithic (Ust-Kutarey site, horizon 2, layer 3) and the later stage (horizon 1, layer 3, layer 2 of the Ust-Kutarey site, Gora Kutarey site). This article provides the results of the study of stemmed points (including triangular and blade points) from the Ustye Reki Kutarey site as, probably, the earliest component of layer 2 of the site. These data will significantly contribute to the development of the issue of determining criteria of the Neolithic industries in the region, and their variability.