The dwelling at the early Neolithic site of Baybek in the Northern Caspian region

The paper presents results of studying a dwelling at Baybek in the northern Caspian region. Planigraphic data enabled the authors to describe its configuration, size and design features. Stratigraphical observations demonstrate specific features of its use. Technical and typological traits of ceramic and stone tools confirm that all objects from this assemblage belong to the same culture of the Kairshak type. Radiocarbon dates put the site around the beginning of the first quarter of 6th mill. BC and confirm that sunken-bottomed dwellings were constructed in this area in the Early Neolithic. Palynological samples provide information not only on the nature and the climatic situation in that period, but also on construction elements of the dwellings. Archaeozoological assemblage includes only wild species of animals (kulan and red deer prevailing) and fish. According to the lipid analysis, encrusted deposits adhering to the interior or exterior surface of vessels are associated with plant and animal food. The corpus of data clearly demonstrates that the northern Caspian region was one of the earliest territories in Eastern Europe where transition to the Neolithic took place.