The Initial Stages of the Early Upper Palaeolithic in the Foothills of the Northern Tien Shan, Kazakhstan (Based on the Materials from the Multilayered Maibulak Site)

Abstract

The Upper Palaeolithic of the western Central Asia remains poorly understood. On the vast plains and mountainous territories, few sites of this age are known. In this regard, new sites discovered in the contact zone of the steppe and mountain belts of the Northern Tien Shan (Kazakhstan) acquire particular significance. Favorable natural conditions contributed to the active settlement of this territory, and the features of loess sedimentation contributed to the preservation of cultural remains. The first site, discovered and studied in 2004—2006, was the multilayered Maibulak site. The site contains seven cultural layers dated to different stages of the Upper Palaeolithic. The most significant and unique lithic collections were found in cultural layers 3—6, which date back to the Early Upper Palaeolithic. Lithic inventory from layer 6 occupies a special place among them. Two radiocarbon dates were obtained on charcoal from this layer: 35 420 ± 450 14С BP and 34 970 ± 665 14С BP (median 40 557 cal BP and 40 152 cal BP). The lithic industry from layer 6 has certain similarities with the Early Baradostian, Early Ahmarian, Fumanian, Proto-Aurignacian and other synchronous materials from Western Eurasia characterised by the presence of bladelet production technology.