The rescue excavation of the Syroy Agan 1 settlement

We present here the results of rescue excavation at the Syroy Agan settlement, situated in the taiga of Middle Ob lowland. The general excavated area amount to 2000 m 2. Planigraphic analysis permitted to conclude that there were three zones of intensive activity in exploited territory of the settlement: high, medium and episodic. The most of collection consist of ceramics: Atlym (Late Bronze Age), Kulayskaya, Beloyarskaya and Kalinkino cultures (Early Iron Age). The moose sculpture made of baked clay is worth noticing. Stone industry is not numerous and presented by utilized core, a few scraper-like tools and a series of polished artifacts with complete or fizzled drilled holes and unclear functions. We proved that Syroy Agan 1 settlement is not fort, as it supposed previously. Stratigraphic analysis of assumed wall and ditch evidences that folding of layer naturally originated as the result of ground melting after the last glacial maximum (LGM). The sediments underlying the archaeological layers are deformed by post-sedimentological disturbances. These deformations are the consequence of underground ice fraction degradation in the Late Pleistocene - Holocene boundary. Paleosoil, marked at the settlement, was not disturbed by human activity. Syroy Agan 1 settlement was studied completely, the entire site area was uncovered, and precise borders of cultural layer were educed. The previous researchers interpreted this site as the fort. We disprove this case, because the “archaeological ” ditch and wall were not anthropogenic objects: it is the natural relief formed in consequence of geological process before human occupation at this territory.