Excavations at the paleolithic site Malisina stijena in Montenegro in 2020

The article provides the results of the Malisina Stijena site archaeological research in 2020. This rock shelter is located in the north of Montenegro near Pljevlja city in the gorge of the Cehotina River. In 2017-2019, excavations were carried out by a joint Russian-Montenegrin expedition in the central part of the rock shelter. In 2020, the work was continued on a new area of the site, where the upper part deposits of the section is represented by stratigraphic units of Layer A. The excavation with the area of 6 sq. m uncovered a stratum of Layers A-F, with a total thickness of up to 1.8 m. Archaeological materials were found in Layers A1, A2, A4, B2, and C. The main part of the collection is associated with the horizons of Layer A. This industry is characterized by well-developed small- and microblades production. The toolkit contains forms typical of the final stage of the Upper Paleolithic, i.e. backed microblades, micropoints, geometric microliths, microscrapers, and piercers. The composition of the faunal remains indicates that the inhabitants of the rock shelter systematically engaged in fishing and hunting for small mammals. An analysis of the used raw materials showed that, in addition to the tools made of local rocks, this industry has a large number of items made of high-quality chalcedony and jasper, which are absent near the site. Based on the peculiarities of the composition and distribution of archaeological materials in the lithological subdivisions of Layer A, it can be assumed that the rock shelter was used for regular but short-term camps, most likely associated with fishing and hunting activities.