Kostenki-8 (Tel’manskaya) Paleolithic site, layer II: dwelling structures and microstratigraphy

Purpose. Kostenki-8 (Tel’manskaya) is the only deeply stratified open site in Kostenki-Borshchevo Paleolithic region (the Middle Don, Southern Russia) that contains some Gravettian layers dated back to the EUP-MUP transition (28-22 ka BP). The cultural layer Kostenki-8/II was partly excavated in 1950-1970s by A. N. Rogachev. It presented supposedly most ancient typically Gravettian industry in the region. The layer included several well-defined concentration features (N 1-3) interpreted as dwelling structures. The nature and characteristics of these structures need further investigations. This data is essential to solve the problem of origin and periodization of the Gravettian in Eastern Europe. A new cycle of research at Kostenki 8 was carried out in 2005-2013. The task was set to clarify the chronostratigraphy of the site and obtain new information about layer II. The field works of 2007 revealed a part of the fireplace associated with a new concentration feature (N 4). After researching the upper cultural horizons (layers I and Ia in the cover loams), layer II was unearthed in the excavation area 56 m2. The concentration feature N 4 appeared to be wrong-elongated, with at least two fireplaces. These features reveal its similarity to concentration N3 in A. N. Rogachev’s excavations. The investigated area of the object was about 15 m2 (its actual size used to be a bit larger). Its south-eastern part remained outside the excavation unit, so detection of the third fireplace is quite probable. The complex effects of cryogenic deformations were observed. Some zones of the layer were studied in situ. Results. The study of microstratigraphy allowed us to establish the following facts: fireplaces 1 and 2 functioned asynchronously; cultural deposits in most of the area of habitation presented a two-tier structure: interlayers and lenses of loam colored by ocher usually overlapped unpainted humus lenses. The samples taken from the fireplace N 1 (the latest one) presented new C14AMS dates: 23.340 ± 150 ka BP (CURL-15816); 25.640 ± 210 ka BP (CURL-15797). Conclusion. The concentration feature N 4 can’t be interpreted as a single dwelling structure. It was formed by superposition of two or more asynchronous complexes one over another. The dates 25-23 ka BP belong to the upper horizon of the habitation features. Perhaps, the samples taken near fireplace 2 (the earlier one) should be dated as of older age. In general, the informative value of cultural layer II within the concentration 4 is very high. The observations made in 2012-2013 allow us to take a fresh look at the excavation data of the previous period and draw general conclusions about the chronology and structure of cultural layer II.