Complex Analysis of the Stone Inventory from the Chashkinskoe Ozero XI Mesolithic Site

Abstract

Chashkinskoe Ozero XI site is a new Mesolithic monument on the eastern shore of the lake. A homogeneous inventory discovered at its excavations allowed to identify the site as a temporary hunter settlement. The authors of research conducted typological, technological and traceological analyses of the site inventory. It was determined by technological analysis that the stone industry of the site was characterized by controlled knapping with the predominant use of chopping tools and reduction of the platform edge as the primary technique of platform formation. No initial knapping was conducted at the site, and the nuclei were supplied to the site in ready form. Other features of the stone industry are as follows: high level of the blade production , small dimensions of blanks, availability of implements with various shapes, leading role of meat/fish knives and significant role of solid material cutters. The characteristic features of the collection include the absence of cores and a small amount of production waste. Almost half of discovered items have been used as implements. The results of this study can be used in further research of the Mesolithic of the Kama region as a pattern for this type of sites.

Keywords

• archaeology
• the Kama region
• Mesolithic
• Kama culture
• technological analysis
• typological analysis
• traceological analysis
• temporary settlement