In this paper, the authors report results of a detailed technological and typological analysis of the Epipalaeolithic assemblages from three stratified sites in the North Caucasus that were excavated in recent years at a modern scientific level with application of sediment water screening, which allowed to obtain numerous microlithic artefacts. The lithic analysis of the assemblages indicates a gradual development in the knapping technology, which resulted in the first application of the pressure flaking technique in the final Epipalaeolithic, and innovations in the tool set, particularly in the assortment of geometric microliths. The authors consider the stone industry transformations at the edge of Pleistocene and Holocene in the context of cultural continuity during the final Epipalaeolithic and up to the beginning of the Holocene in the region.

Original languageEnglish
Article number100385
JournalArchaeological Research in Asia
Volume31
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2022

    Research areas

  • Early Holocene, Epipalaeolithic, Final Pleistocene, Knapping technology, North Caucasus, Stone industry transformations

    Scopus subject areas

  • Archaeology
  • Archaeology

ID: 99319283