Raw material selection strategies in the Kulbulak middle paleolithic complexes

The paper addresses analyses of the raw material of the Middle Paleolithic lithic complexes of the Kulbulak site (layers 12.1, 12.3, 14, 16, and 17.1). The lithic industries described in the paper are characterized by the nearest provenance of raw materials (within 1.5 km) including flint outcrops and alluvial effusive pebbles. Flint predominated; it was used for both Levallois and bladelet production, the bladelet share increases up the profile. Effusive rocks were used for large flake and point production through the Levallois and radial techniques. Other Middle Paleolithic raw material selection strategies were noted in the neighbor valleys (within 30 km from the Kulbulak site). Kattasai-1 and -2 and Ertashsai-9 show the preference of effusive or metamorphic rocks despite availability of flint in relative proximity. These industries do not have any Upper Paleolithic features in their technological repertoire and show practicing the Levallois technology in several versions. Such raw material choice could indicate the absence of the Upper Paleolithic skills in stone working or their uselessness. Thus, the Kulbulakian version of raw material procurement demonstrates the greatest variability in terms of technological necessity among mentioned Middle Paleolithic complexes.