Pottery Complexes of the Ust’-Kova Geoarcheological Area in the Lower Angara Region (Based on Materials of 2008–2011)

Abstract

Purpose. As a result of preparations for the flooding of the Boguchan Hydroelectric Power Station reservoir bed, the Lower Angara region has witnessed increased activity as an archeological source base in recent years. It initiated the development of studies on the taxonomy of pottery traditions, both in the region and in adjacent territories, their chronology and interaction models. A number of informative archaeological sites at the estuary of the Kova River were excavated in large-scale horizontal exposures. Morphological analysis of the most informative part of the collection of surveys of 2008–2011, its comparative studies and the subsequent analysis of the spatial and stratigraphic context of the wares were the object of this paper. Results. A number of pottery groups were identified and their cultural-chronological attribution was proposed. Pottery of the Middle Ages predominate – Ust’-Kova type vessels, wares decorated with thin and smearing cordons, combed decorated pottery. The period of the Early Iron Age is represented by the Tsepan’ culture pottery, vessels with ‘wisp’ cordons and thin cordons decorated with finger pinches. Morphologically heterogeneous ‘pearl-ribbed’ pottery is attributed to the Bronze Age. Among the Neolithic ceramics, ‘net-impressed’ pottery (including the Aplin type), wares of Posol’sk and Ust’-Belaya types, as well as vessels close to Serovo pottery were presented. The complexes of the Early Iron Age – the Middle Ages have little information content due to the fact that the upper culture-bearing sediments are largely disturbed. There is a tendency toward a shift of site zones from the Angara coast in the Neolithic and Bronze Age to the right bank of the Kova River in subsequent periods. Conclusion. The collection includes wares dating from the Neolithic to the ‘Russian’ time. Conclusions about the information content of materials of cultural layers for further research are made. A subsequent collation of observations on settlement location trends will be able to reveal mobility patterns among carriers of various pottery traditions.