Stone Artefacts with Holes from the Early Neolithic from the Novopetrovka III Site in Western Amur

Purpose. The article examines the problem of the appearance of artefacts in this region using the example of artifacts with holes from the settlement of Novopetrovka 3 (9.5–9.0 thousand years ago) of the Novopetrovka culture of Western Amur Region. Results. Descriptions and reconstructions of a fluted stone mace and a button with holes are presented. These items are original products of the Early Neolithic cultures of the Far Eastern region. The fluted mace is a difficult object to manufacture, so its use as a fishing sinker is questionable. Most likely, it was a universal tool, including a weapon. The presence of a defective tile with a hole in the collection indicates local production of drilled objects. It allowed us to reconstruct the process of making round weights. Conclusion. The bearers of the Novopetrovka culture, who lived on the banks of the Amur River in the south-eastern region of the modern Amur Region, already at the early stage of the Neolithic knew how to make complex items with drilled through holes of various diameters. These are stone objects, as well as wooden, bone, and horn objects with indirect evidence: fishing weights, anchors, universal maces, weights for digging sticks, buttons for fastening or decorating clothes.