Quartz objects in Paleolithic industries of Denisova Cave

This article describes a collection of quartz artifacts discovered in the Paleolithic layers of Denisova Cave. Quartz was used by the inhabitants of the site starting from the Early Middle Paleolithic. In total, 15 items made of rock crystal, rauchtopaz, morion, and their intermediate varieties were analyzed. The typologically definable tool was straight side-scraper with ventral thinning, made of a large rock crystal. Other artifacts included flakes, fragments, or manuports untreated crystals. The issue of sources of quartz as stone raw material for these artifacts is directly related to the genetic type of its varieties. The formation of morions and smoky quartz is typical of granitic pegmatites. Rock crystal is based on hydrothermal genesis at lower temperatures compared to rauchtopaz. The locations of such crystals are known from the granite massifs of the Baschelak and Anui Ridges located near the cave. As opposed to pebble raw materials, sources of quartz fragments were predominantly screes on rocky outcrops, which indicates variability of raw material strategies among the inhabitants of Denisova Cave. The main part of quartz artifacts in the collection was associated with the Early Upper Paleolithic. This period was generally distinguished by expansion of raw material base, intensification of symbolic activities which involved the use of mineral pigments in addition to manufacturing various adornments from organic materials and ornamental stones. Processing of rock crystal is another indicator of cognitive changes during the emergence of the Upper Paleolithic culture. Preconditions for these changes evolved in the Middle Paleolithic.