Tinit-1 - the new Middle-Upper Paleolithic multilayered site in the Dagestan

In frame of the article the lithic collections attributed to the Middle - Upper Paleolithic from Tinit-1 (Dagestan archaeological site) were analyzed. The testing pit that was made in 2007 was enlarged by 2 m2. The total profile reached 3,5 m including 6 major lithological layers and 4 artifact bearing horizons. The total number of recovered artifacts is 103. The artifact recovered from horizons 1-3 have been attributed to the Upper Paleolithic. The artifacts recovered in association with the lower portion of the profile (horizon 4) demonstrate the features typical for the Middle Paleolithic (the Levallois technique). The study of Middle-Upper Paleolithic industries of Dagestan were based on the materials from Paleolithic sites situated in Rubas river valley (Rubas-1-5 and Tinit-1). It was defined that the Middle and Upper Paleolithic technocomplexes from that area have similar strategies of stone flaking. Archaeological materials from Tinit-1 and Rubas-1 sites represent the earliest stages of human occupation of Northern-Eastern Caucasus.