SILICONE ARTIFACTS OF THE SETTLEMENT OF THE FINAL PALEOLITHIC–MESOLITHIC NEAR THE VILLAGE OF ZBOROV IN ROGACHEV REGION, GOMEL OBLAST

Abstract

New materials are presented, which were obtained from a Final Paleolithic–Mesolithic settlement located near Zborov, Rogachev District, Gomel Oblast, as a result of excavations in 2013 and collecting liftable material in 2000–2015. The settlement is located on the left bank of the Dnieper River, on the north-east edge of Zborov, in the area of the first flood plain terrace, at least 4 m above the flood plain level. The cultural layer in the area selected for excavation appeared to have been damaged by plowing, which did not allow using stratigraphical data to determine the cultural layer materials. The technical and typological analysis of products allows to conclude that materials from settlement Zborov 2 are culturally non-uniform, which is distinctly traced both in the technology of splitting and in the production of tools. Analyzing the condition of sources belonging to the Final Paleolithic–Mesolithic and comparing them to data from settlement Zborov 2 it is possible to make a preliminary conclusion about multiple colonization of the settlement and to mark out at least several different technologies of stone splitting. Materials associated with the traditions of Lingbi or Grensk culture should be considered the earliest on the settlement. The nest episode of colonizing the settlement is reflected by features and elements of Svider culture.