Organization of the Living Space and the Inferred Economic Activity at the Middle Paleolithic Site in Saradj-Chuko Grotto (based on materials of layer 6B)

Abstract

The use of modern methods of microstratigraphic and planigraphic analyses allows the authors to speak about features of organizing life space in the Middle Paleolithic sites. The layer 6B at Saradj-Chuko grotto can be defined as an actively occupied Middle Paleolithic habitation site, where ancient humans were engaged in manufacture and use of obsidian tools. A tracelogical analysis allowed the authors to reconstruct various economic activities of ancient humans. For the first time for the Middle Paleolithic site in the northern slope of the central Caucasus, a tracelogical analysis was carried out taking into account the space distribution of tools over the site area, which allowed us to study features of human activity at different areas of the site. The new data are considered within a broad context of the Middle Paleolithic of the Caucasus, as well as the available data on economic activity and residential structures in various sites are analyzed.

Keywords

• archaeology
• middle paleolithic
• northern caucasus
• obsidian industry
• saradj-chuko grotto
• spatial analysis
• use-wear analyses
• reconstruction of economic activity