Intra-site spatial analysis

Determining the duration of occupations at Middle Palaeolithic archaeological sites is essential to enhancing our understanding of Neanderthal behaviour and subsistence strategies. Identifying occupation length in these contexts presents significant complexity and is often ambiguous due to the palimpsest nature of the archaeological sites. This study examines faunal specimens from sub-Unit IIIb of Teixoneres Cave, focusing on both external and internal site areas, to estimate the duration of human occupations. Using zooarchaeological and taphonomic parameters, we evaluate the effectiveness of these methods for inferring occupation length. Our analysis shows that faunal remains-such as evidence of hunting, butchering, and carcass transport-are essential for reconstructing Neanderthal subsistence strategies and for understanding whether the site was used during one short-term occupation or across several distinct episodes over time. While certain results diverge from the features currently used in literature to define occupation duration, the spatial distribution of lithic artefacts, from sub-Unit IIIb at Teixoneres Cave support the hypothesis of short, repeated human occupations. This analysis focuses on applying and critically examining some of those theoretical assumptions, particularly those related to taphonomic and archaeozoological criteria. In this context, Teixoneres Cave serves as the dataset through which we test whether a real archaeological case supports the theoretical framework proposed in Lubrano et al. (2025). These findings contribute to ongoing discussions on the complexities of interpreting archaeological palimpsests and the methodological challenges involved in estimating the duration of Neanderthal occupations. Furthermore, the data place sub-Unit IIIb of Teixoneres within the broader framework of Middle Palaeolithic cave sites characterized by short-term human occupations in settings frequently utilized by large carnivores.

The aim of the present research project is to extend the archaeological excavations to a territorial scale, which the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology is currently carrying out in the cemetery area of Lamapopoli, Canosa di Puglia. The focus is set on the systematization of the topographic data deduced from previous surveys, in order to recreate the various occupational phases of the cemetery area in Lamapopoli and the nearby settlements strictly linked to the Lower Ofanto Valley. The activities concerned the systematic inventory of all visible archaeological evidence, from burials along with systematic geo-referenced measurement, uploaded on the GIS platform. As a result of the investigation in the area, the data were implemented on the GIS platform, as well as the detailed planimetries of the excavated hypogeum. The inventory offered a multiscale approach, calibrated to the registration of the data collected on the ground. Furthermore, it uses different types of data sheets which are able to record the construction techniques used to the traces of excavation of the hypogea up to the overview of stratified palimpsest, capturing any possible links or gaps, their connection with the ancient viability and with the environmental resources.

The identification of the duration of Neanderthal occupations is a tricky topic by the palimpsest nature of archaeological assemblages. This study explores the challenges associated with distinguishing between long and short-term occupations, using qualitative and quantitative data from relevant archaeological sites in the Late Middle Palaeolithic in Spain and southeastern France. We highlight the proposed occupation models and their specific characteristics, considering the heterogeneity of archaeological evidence and the limitations of current methodologies. The article offers a reassessment of the topic, critically analysing the current indicators used to determine the duration of Neanderthal occupations. Furthermore, we discuss the complexity in defining the concepts of short and long-term occupation, emphasising the need for a multidisciplinary approach to fully understand the complexity of the practices of the Late Neanderthals.

Neanderthal’s material remains have been studied from a variety of perspectives with the aim of reconstructing different life-aspects of these human groups. The arrangements of artefacts and features within archaeological sites have often been employed to isolate activity areas and draw inferences about site function. This assumes that objects found in close proximity, were used for the same task and that artefacts were usually discarded where they were used. In this regard, refitting studies provide useful data in order to achieve some topics like: assemblage formation processes, post-depositional dynamics, settlement patterns, definition and integrity of stratigraphic units. The distribution of the remains and the connection lines documented by refitting, allow to understand the modalities of space-organization, how human groups divide themselves, how they relate to each other and the relationships between the site areas. The aim of this paper is to present the application of this...

Practically all archeological assemblages are palimpsests. In spite of the high temporal resolution of Abric Romaní site, level O, dated to around 55 ka, is not an exception. This paper focuses on a zooarcheological and taphonomic analysis of this level, paying special attention to spatial and temporal approaches. The main goal is to unravel the palimpsest at the finest possible level by using different methods and techniques, such as archeostratigraphy, anatomical and taxonomical identification, taphonomic analysis, faunal refits and tooth wear analysis. The results obtained are compared to ethnoarcheological data so as to interpret site structure. In addition, activities carried out over different time spans (from individual episodes to long-term behaviors) are detected, and their spatial extent is explored, allowing to do inferences on settlement dynamics. This leads us to discuss the temporal and spatial scales over which Neanderthals carried out different activities within the site, and how they can be studied through the archeological record.

We analyze the influence of hearth location and smoke dispersal on potential activity areas at Lower Paleolithic Lazaret Cave, France, focusing on archaeostratigraphic unit UA25, where a single hearth was unearthed, and GIS and activity area analysis were performed by the excavators. We simulated smoke dispersal from 16 hypothetical hearth locations and analyzed their effect on potential working spaces. Four activity zones were defined, according to the average smoke exposure recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). We found that the size of the low smoke density area and its distance from the hearth are the main parameters for choosing hearth location. The simulation results show an optimal hearth location zone of about 5 × 5m2, and it is precisely in this zone that the Lower Paleolithic humans of Lazaret Cave placed their hearth. We demonstrate that the optimal hearth location zone correlates not only with the archaeologic...

The Lapland Pioneers Project focuses on the study of the earliest pioneer settlement of Lapland and its connections with other areas of northern Europe particularly as reflected by lithic technology. The project began in 2002 with a survey in Utsjoki, followed by excavations in

The Lapland Pioneers Project focuses on the study of the earliest pioneer settlement of Lapland and its connections with other areas of northern Europe particularly as reflected by lithic technology. The project began in 2002 with a survey in Utsjoki, Finnish Lapland, followed by excavations in 2004–2006, additional surveys in Utsjoki and in the Varangerfjord area in Norway in 2007– 2015, collections research in several countries in 2008–2015, the founding of the international Nordic Blade Technology Network (NBTN) in 2009, and several international workshops and teaching workshops in 2009–2014. The project’s findings have led to a radical change in views concerning the early settling of Scandinavia.

Spatial analysis has been much used to examine the distribution of archaeological remains at Pleistocene sites. However, little is known about the distribution patterns at sites identified as hunting camps, i.e., places occupied over multiple short periods for the capture of animals later transported to a base camp. The present work examines a Neanderthal hunting camp (the Navalmaíllo Rock Shelter in Pinilla del Valle, Madrid, Spain) to determine whether different activities were undertaken in different areas of the site. A spatial pattern was detected with a main cluster of materials (lithic tools, faunal remains, and coprolites) clearly related to the presence of nearby hearths—the backbone of the utilised space. This main cluster appears to have been related to collaborative and repetitive activities undertaken by the hunting parties that used the site. Spatial analysis also detected a small, isolated area perhaps related to carcasses processing at some point in time and another ...

Spatial analysis has been much used to examine the distribution of archaeological remains at Pleistocene sites. However, little is known about the distribution patterns at sites identified as hunting camps, i.e., places occupied over multiple short periods for the capture of animals later transported to a base camp. The present work examines a Neanderthal hunting camp (the Navalmaíllo Rock Shelter in Pinilla del Valle, Madrid, Spain) to determine whether different activities were undertaken in different areas of the site. A spatial pattern was detected with a main cluster of materials (lithic tools, faunal remains, and coprolites) clearly related to the presence of nearby hearths-the backbone of the utilised space. This main cluster appears to have been related to collaborative and repetitive activities undertaken by the hunting parties that used the site. Spatial analysis also detected a small, isolated area perhaps related to carcasses processing at some point in time and another slightly altered by water.

the material is concerned, specifi cally the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfi lms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specifi c statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.

Redaka II cave is located at the entrance of village Salash, district of Belogradchik, North-west Bulgaria. The overall length is of 97m. Prospected by I. Krumov the previous years, Redaka II cave had been the subject in 2005 and 2006 of two surveys-tests which permitted to collect fauna as well as small series of lithic artefacts- Middle and Upper Palaeolithic. The study of fauna allowed, for the first time in Bulgaria, to highlight a Hyenas den [1]. In 2008 the more systematic excavations were started and we began a preliminary space analysis to be able to distinguish the two sequences of the occupations by the hyena. We have also carried out a data processing in 3D for a better understanding of the formation of the layers and the development of the archaeological sequence in comparison to that of the presence of hyena. Because this first step didn’t solve the problem of the interaction between man and hyena occupations, in our future works we planned to add others criteria like t...

Although intra-site spatial approaches are considered a key factor when interpreting archaeological assemblages, these are often based on descriptive, qualitative, and subjective observations. Currently, within the framework of research into spatial taphonomy and palimpsest dissection, several studies have begun to employ more quantitative and objective techniques, implementing tools such as geostatistics and geographic information system (GIS) methods. This is precisely the approach that the Abric Romaní team is following. In this work, we present GIS and geostatistics methods applied to the faunal and lithic assemblages from archaeolevel Ob, including an analysis of the spatial structure, the identification of clusters and sectors, size and fabric analyses, the projection of vertical profiles, and the reconstruction of a digital elevation model of the paleosurface. The results obtained indicate a clustered distribution, primarily concentrated into four dense accumulations. The pre...

Report from an archaeological field-survey at Segersäng in Nynäshamn community in the Stockholm area, Sweden. Among ancient monuments discovered in the survey were Mesolithic settlement sites, ancient holloways and remains from historic period charcoal production.

Cultural deposits, especially those accumulated in caves and rock shelters, are usually the results of several occupational events in the same space, forming palimpsests. In addition, the materials of these occupational events tend to be deposited along with remains of natural origin and may be altered, partially destroyed or reworked due to the process of superimposition. The work presented here focuses on dissecting the palimpsest of level O at Abric Romaní through an interdisciplinary analysis. We analyzed a particular area, located in the northeastern corner of the site. This work is based on the study of the lithic and faunal remains recovered in this area, with the aim of dissecting the palimpsest into the smallest possible units. To do this, we used different methods and techniques including archaeostratigraphy, intra-site spatial archaeology, zooarchaeology, tooth microwear, taphonomy, lithic technology, and faunal and lithic refits. These methods allowed us to identify two archaeolevels in this area (Oa and Ob). Oa comprises a maximum of three accumulations and Ob holds two accumulations of archaeological remains. These accumulations are generally related to combustion structures. Based on the results obtained from zooarchaeological, taphonomic and lithic technology analyses, we characterized each accumulation. The analysis of the lithic and faunal refits helped to identify synchronic and diachronic links. After having processed all of the results, we were able to interpret the intra-area organization and its role in relation to the rest of the site. Our results have shown that it is possible to obtain high-resolution data for dissecting a palimpsest using different methodologies. It is, however, important to remember that although we were able to distinguish these finer units, we were still working with palimpsests. Nevertheless, the study of these finer units makes it possible to work with time scales that are closer to ethnographic time, thereby facilitating further ethno-archaeological interpretation.

Although intra-site spatial approaches are considered a key factor when interpreting archaeological assemblages, these are often based on descriptive, qualitative, and subjective observations. Currently, within the framework of research into spatial taphonomy and palimpsest dissection, several studies have begun to employ more quantitative and objective techniques, implementing tools such as geostatistics and geographic information system (GIS) methods. This is precisely the approach that the Abric Romaní team is following. In this work, we present GIS and geostatistics methods applied to the faunal and lithic assemblages from archaeolevel Ob, including an analysis of the spatial structure, the identification of clusters and sectors, size and fabric analyses, the projection of vertical profiles, and the reconstruction of a digital elevation model of the paleosurface. The results obtained indicate a clustered distribution, primarily concentrated into four dense accumulations. The pre...

Although intra-site spatial approaches are considered a key factor when interpreting archaeological assemblages, these are often based on descriptive, qualitative, and subjective observations. Currently, within the framework of research into spatial taphonomy and palimpsest dissection, several studies have begun to employ more quantitative and objective techniques, implementing tools such as geostatistics and geographic information system (GIS) methods. This is precisely the approach that the Abric Romaní team is following. In this work, we present GIS and geostatistics methods applied to the faunal and lithic assemblages from archaeolevel Ob, including an analysis of the spatial structure, the identification of clusters and sectors, size and fabric analyses, the projection of vertical profiles, and the reconstruction of a digital elevation model of the paleosurface. The results obtained indicate a clustered distribution, primarily concentrated into four dense accumulations. The predominance of remains < 3 cm in length and the absence of preferential orientations make it possible to rule out a generalised postdepositional movement affecting most of the site, although some local movement has been identified. The horizontal and vertical spatial analyses allow us to identify accumulations of a single material (lithic or faunal) in addition to mixed accumulations (lithic and faunal). Integrating all this data with the results of previous studies (zooarchaeological, refits, combustion structures, and partial lithic technological analyses), we evaluate and combine the interpretations proposed previously using different approaches, thereby improving the overall interpretation of the archaeolevel Ob. Finally, we also develop a preliminary comparison between Ob and some other levels at the same site (in particular M and P).

Redaka II cave is located at the entrance of village Salash, district of Belogradchik, North-west Bulgaria. The overall length is of 97m. Prospected by I. Krumov the previous years, Redaka II cave had been the subject in 2005 and 2006 of two surveys-tests which permitted to collect fauna as well as small series of lithic artefacts- Middle and Upper Palaeolithic. The study of fauna allowed, for the first time in Bulgaria, to highlight a Hyenas den [1]. In 2008 the more systematic excavations were started and we began a preliminary space analysis to be able to distinguish the two sequences of the occupations by the hyena. We have also carried out a data processing in 3D for a better understanding of the formation of the layers and the development of the archaeological sequence in comparison to that of the presence of hyena. Because this first step didn’t solve the problem of the interaction between man and hyena occupations, in our future works we planned to add others criteria like t...

In this paper, we make a quantitative analysis of spatial patterns for the earliest archaeological component (early Holocene) at Cueva Maripe, a multiple-activity site located in Santa Cruz province (Patagonia, Argentina). We worked in a geographical information systems environment to systematize the analogical and digital information from excavations including the location of registered hearths, the frequency of lithic artifacts and bone remains, and the distribution of burnt materials. The visualization techniques and spatial statistics allowed us to define the intrasite structure of the site. Results suggest that Cueva Maripe was probably used as a short-term temporary camp. This spatial approach leads to a better understanding of the formation and occupation history of the site, as well as a method for comparing different intra-site use patterns between sites.

In this paper a team of Scandinavian researchers identifies and describes a Mesolithic technological concept, referred to as 'the conical core pressure blade' concept, and investigates how this concept spread into Fennoscandia and across Scandinavia. Using lithic technological, contextual archaeological and radiocarbon analyses, it is demonstrated that this blade concept arrived with 'post-Swiderian' hunter-gatherer groups from the Russian plain into northern Fennoscandia and the eastern Baltic during the 9th millennium BC. From there it was spread by migrating people and/or as transmitted knowledge through culture contacts into interior central Sweden, Norway and down along the Norwegian coast. However it was also spread into southern Scandinavia, where it was formerly identified as the Maglemosian technogroup 3 (or the 'Svaerdborg phase'). In this paper it is argued that the identification and spread of the conical core pressure blade concept represents the first migration of people, technology and ideas into Scandinavia from the south-eastern Baltic region and the Russian plain.

Spatio-temporal understanding of past domestic activities is a key aspect of archaeological reasoning. The identification of markers of particular anthropic actions through time has become a fundamental issue. Chemical analyses of archaeological floors are an essential tool to investigate and identify anthropic markers of past human activities. This paper explores the relative spatial variability of chemical residues of floors in an ethnographic context to provide a constructive basis to experiment with spatial analysis for the detection and interpretation of anthropic activity markers. These markers are recognised as anomalies and tendencies in the relative spatial distribution of chemical residues embedded in the floor. The experiment has been carried out in a controlled environment and serves to test the methods and assumptions to be used in archaeological contexts. Spatial interpolations (IDW, Map Algebra and PCA) were performed and allowed the identification of anomalies in the distribution of residues that can be associated with specific activities (fuel use, food preparation and consumption, use of fireplaces). Geostatistics (Ordinary and Regression Kriging) was used in order to contribute to the identification of trends related to the use of space and the connected activities (e.g. inner versus outer space, storage versus cooking). The results show how the integration of different techniques can improve data interpretation.

The Sujala site in Utsjoki, Finnish Lapland, is the first Post-Swiderian site discovered in northern Scandinavia. Located on an inland lake, the site appears to have been a reindeer-hunting camp dating to the late Preboreal Period. The lithic finds from Sujala exhibit numerous technological and stylistic features that are characteristic of the Post-Swiderian cultures of Russia and the East Baltic and differ clearly from those of the contemporaneous Ahrensburgian-related Phase 1 or early &quot;Komsa&quot; culture of the North Norwegian coast. However, the lithic raw material at Sujala apparently derives specifically from the &quot;Komsa&quot; area, raising the question of coast-inland trade vs. a dualistic coastal-inland adaptation. In the summer of 2009, the authors identified a site on the coast of the Varangerfjord in Norway, some 65 km northeast of Sujala, that produced lithics which were very similar to the Sujala finds and exhibited the same characteristic Post-Swiderian featur...

I manufatti recuperati all’interno della capanna-laboratorio ceramico e nelle aree immediatamente circostanti, nel Saggio B, sono interpretabili come indicatori di questa specifica attività artigianale. La distribuzione spaziale degli indicatori (strumenti in pietra usati per macinare i cocci per produrre il cocciopesto, forme per lo stampaggio dei vasi, lisciatoi in pietra, osso, corno e ceramica riciclata, ceramica cotta a temperature eccessive, scaglie distaccate dalla superficie dei vasi in cottura, e possibili distanziatori per i vasi in fornace), analizzata con semplici procedure statistiche, mostra diverse e discontinue concentrazioni in diversi spazi. La stessa procedura mostra che anche la filatura, evidenziata dall’abbandono sul luogo di una notevole quantità di fusaiole in terracotta, e la lavorazione del palco di cervo, sembrano aver avuto luogo in tempi e luoghi diversi. I risultati possono rivelare alcuni aspetti dell’organizzazione delle attività umane e del lavoro artigianale in questo piccolo spazio della Terramara di Pilastri.

Most of the visible and larger artefacts recovered within the hut-cum workshop and in the surrounding open spaces, in Trench B, may be interpreted as evidence of ceramic production. The spatial patterning of the indicators (hammerstones and grinding stones used to make temper by grinding potsherds, molds for stamping bowls, polishers in stone, hard animal materials and re-used sherds, broken overfired sherds, round flakes exploded out of the fired containers, and possible spacers for pots piled in the kiln’s firing chamber), following simple statistic measurements, confirms that different activities took place in discrete spaces. The distribution of terracotta spindle whorls suggests that spinning and antler cutting, as well, were performed in the same place, even though not always at the same time. Together with the absence in this area of evidence of copper metallurgy and of flint knapping, what observed has important implications for our understanding of how human activities were organized within the earthen rampart of the Terramara di Pilastri.

Under augusti–september 2020 genomförde Arkeologhuset arkeologiska undersökningar av två stenåldersboplatser vid Länna i Huddinge kommun. Arbetet föranleddes av kommunens planerade utbyggnad av industrimark.
Boplatsen L2020:3264 undersöktes med maskingrävda sökschakt kring ett område där ett fåtal stenföremål hittats vid förundersökning. Det ytterst sparsamma och rumsligt begränsade fyndmaterialet tolkas som resultatet av sporadiska besök ca 6500–6000 f Kr, vid tiden för Litorinahavets transgression.
På boplatsen L2013:7875 undersöktes ett ca 350 m2 stort område varav ca 250 m2 avtorvades med grävmaskin och 50 m2 handgrävdes i rutor och sållades. Lite drygt tusen stenföremål togs tillvara, varav merparten slagen kvarts. Ca 8 % av kvartsföremålen har spår efter användning eller modifiering och tolkas som verktyg. Bland fynden finns bland annat även kvartsit, sandsten, röd porfyr och olika bergarter som granit. På boplatsytan fanns sparsamt med skörbränd sten men ingen härd eller kokgrop påträffades. Ett flertal kvartsföremål togs tillvara som var svallade, det vill säga rundnötta av vågor, vilket styrker att boplatsen låg nära havsstranden. Boplatsen kan då med sin höjd över havet på ca 53–55 m och avläsning i en strandförskjutningskurva dateras till ca 7000 f Kr. Inom boplatsytan finns ytor med högre respektive lägre frekvens av slagen kvarts, och i kombination med fördelningen av kvartsverktyg och andra råmaterial som kvartsit och sandsten kan man argumentera för en rumslig organisation inom boplatsen, där två fyndrika arbetsytor med varsin tillhörande fyndfattig bostadsyta kan definieras. Med exempel från andra boplatser från ungefär samma period av mesolitikum sätts L2013:7875 i kapitlet ”Tolkning och slutsats” in i ett större kulturhistoriskt sammanhang, med fokus på den stora variation som kan ses i det mellanmesolitiska fyndmaterialet på Södertörn vad gäller boplatsernas storlek och läge i landskapet. Det finns också ett kapitel "Mesolitisk bakgrund", med diskussion om kulturutvecklingen från de första besöken i området 8000 f Kr.

Report from an archaeological excavation of a Mesolithic settlement site in Haninge, Sweden. The site was located c. 50 m above sea-level, but at the time of occupation probably shore-bound, which gives a rough shore-line dating to between 6000 and 5500 BC. A cooking pit with fire-cracked stone yielded a C14-date to the Pre-Roman Iron Age. A relatively sparse Mesolithic find-material was collected, dominated by artifacts of quartz. Noteworthy are 42 artifacts of coarse rocks like granite and sandstone. 52 quartz artifacts were analyzed by Dr Helena Knutsson, Stoneslab, whereof 42% had use-wear traces. This, in combination with a low proportion of waste and micro-debitage, indicates that this was a site where stone tools were mainly used, not produced. Five find concentrations were discerned. The uppermost two were connected with relatively high phosphate values and the lowermost with rapidly decreasing values. Within the find concentrations, the distribution of quartz and coarse stone tools together with quartz tools identified in the use-wear analysis were analyzed in an attempt to reveal the function of the site. In all, the finds are interpreted as reflecting a fairly contemporary situation with main activity areas at safety height and distance from the sea-shore and a lower situated fluctuating beach-zone with boats and other activities. In the lowermost concentration there is also an area with stone tools which could be interpreted as a wind shed, in which case this must have been used at a somewhat later date, when the sea-shore had withdrawn enough to leave the ground dry. The settlement is discussed in a Late Mesolithic context, with an ample review of previous Mesolithic excavations in the surroundings and a compilation of C14-dates which are plotted in a shore-displacement curve for comparison. It is concluded that the Late Mesolithic saw changes, from a Middle Mesolithic settlement pattern with many sites of different size, in all parts of the archipelago from sheltered locations to isolated islands, to a Late Mesolithic pattern with a larger percentage of the sites restricted to sheltered and sandy locations, often on eskers. Other simultaneous trends in the find-material is seen in the shape of axes and increasing content of fire-cracked stone on sites. The changes are briefly discussed in economic and social terms.

An archaeological survey carried out in 2002 around Lake Vetsijärvi, Utsjoki parish, turned up twelve Stone-Age sites, nine of which were located more than six metres higher than the present lake. The placement of the sites and certain other observations suggest that the level of Lake Vetsijärvi may have been higher during the Stone Age than it is today. One of the sites produced finds connecting it with the earliest occupation of the northern Norwegian coast. A test excavation at this site in 2004 recovered evidence of a core-and-blade industry based on foreign chert-like raw material. This type of industry is previously known from the Varangerfiord in Norway but is unique in Finland. Finds include blades, cores, and a tanged arrowpoint with parallels in northern Russia.

Geological settings and availability of flint Modern-day Finland and the neighbouring region in northwestern Russia form a part of the Fennoscandian Shield. The eastern part of the Fennoscandian Shield is largely devoid of flint and other high-quality raw materials for chipped lithic production. Because of this, other raw materials, mainly quartz, were used for chipped lithics in the area. However, there are a few small-scale occurrences of raw materials with better knapping qualities in Finland and in northwestern Russia. In northern Finland, small sources of jasperoid are known (Kinnunen et al. 1985), and some pebble flint and silicified shales are found in the Kola Peninsula (Gurina 1987; Shumkin n.d.). To the south, east and north, the Fennoscandian Shield is surrounded by areas of sedimentary rocks where flint is locally present. The distribution of sedimentary formations south and east of Finland is shown in figure 1. Two main varieties of flint, Cretaceous and Carboniferous, are typically recognised in Finnish archaeological literature and are found in archaeological sites (Kinnunen et al. 1985). Geological formations bearing these varieties of flint extend from Lithuania to Belorussia and from Central Russia to the White Sea, respectively (

This paper is concerned with a survey carried out in 2002 and a test excavation carried out in 2004 at Lake Vetsijärvi in Utsjoki borough, northernmost Finnish Lapland. The authors discovered about a dozen Stone Age sites near the lake in 2002. One of the sites, called Sujala, produced evidence of a core-and-blade industry that used a raw material typical of the arctic coast. A test excavation of this site in 2004 revealed two clusters of blades and related artefacts, including two cores and a tanged point. The closest parallels to the finds can be found on the Varangerfjord coast and belong to Phase I of the Komsa culture (ca. 10 000-9000 BP). This would make Sujala the first known inland site of the early Komsa culture, which has previously been considered purely maritime in nature. However, there are also indications of a possible eastern connection in the assemblage. It should be stressed that the finds have not yet been fully analysed and the interpretations presented are preliminary.

Ankstyvojo geležies amžiaus antsmilkiniai skirstomi į tris grupes. Labiausiai buvo paplitę įvijiniai antsmilkiniai (pir­moji grupė) ir antsmilkiniai šaukšto formos galais, viduryje sujungti įvijine dalimi (antroji grupė). Trečiąją grupę sudarė antsmilkiniai, pagaminti iš plonos žalvario vielos žiedų, pa­puošti karoliais ir kabučiais. Ankstyviausi įvijiniai antsmilkiniai Latvijos teritorijo­je yra žinomi nuo vėlyvojo žalvario amžiaus. Tai du įviji­niai antsmilkiniai, surasti Ļaudonas Midzenīcas vietovėje, Latvijoje. Salaspils Reznes kapinyne buvo rastas kitokios formos įvijinis antsmilkinis. Jis aptiktas pilkapio nr. 2 viršu­tiniame sluoksnyje, kuriame buvo dėželiniai akmeniniai ka­pai. Dvi įvijos su pritvirtintomis žalvarinėmis plokštelėmis, rastos Ķekavas Klaņģukalns piliakalnyje, taip pat gali būti interpretuojamos kaip antsmilkiniai. Įvijiniai antsmilkiniai tampriai susukta viela plačiai paplito nuo ankstyvojo geležies amžiaus pabaigos ir senojo geležies amžiaus pradžios. Iš viso...

For a long while, the controversy surrounding several bone tools coming from pre-Upper Palaeolithic contexts favoured the view of Homo sapiens as the only species of the genus Homo capable of modifying animal bones into specialised tools. However, evidence such as South African Early Stone Age modified bones, European Lower Palaeolithic flaked bone tools, along with Middle and Late Pleistocene bone retouchers, led to a re-evaluation of the conception of Homo sapiens as the exclusive manufacturer of specialised bone tools. The evidence presented herein include use wear and bone residues identified on two flint scrapers as well as a sawing mark on a fallow deer tibia, not associated with butchering activities. Dated to more than 300 kya, the evidence here presented is among the earliest related to tool-assisted bone working intended for non-dietary purposes, and contributes to the debate over the recognition of bone working as a much older behaviour than previously thought. The result...

The Sujala site in northern Finnish Lapland is a reindeer hunters' camp from the early postglacial period, discovered by the authors in 2002. The site was originally linked with the Preboreal occupation of the north Norwegian coast, but further excavations and analyses indicate that it actually represents a totally new phenomenon: evidence for an eastern influx into Lapland around the Preboreal-Boreal transition. This discovery has far-reaching implications for the colonisation of north Scandinavia, but also for the subsequent development of Early Mesolithic settlement in northern Finland and Norway.

ÓÄÊ 902/903/12 (470.13) ÊÀÌÅÍÍÛÉ ÂÅÊ ÅÂÐÎÏÅÉÑÊÎÃÎ ÑÅÂÅÐÀ (cáîðíèê ñòàòåé). Ñûêòûâêàð, 2007.-180 ñ. Ñáîðíèê ñîñòàâëåí èç ñòàòåé, ðàñêðûâàþùèõ ðàçëè÷íûå àñïåêòû èññëåäîâàíèé ïàëåîëèòà, ìåçîëèòà è íåîëèòà åâðîïåéñêîãî Ñåâåðà. Àâòîðàìè ïîìèìî àðõåîëîãîâ ÿâëÿþòñÿ ãåîëîãè è áèîëîãè. Ââîäÿòñÿ â íàó÷íûé îáîðîò íîâûå, ðàíåå íåèçâåñòíûå ìàòåðèàëû ïî äàííûì ýïîõàì êàìåííîãî âåêà, ïðåäñòàâëåí çíà÷èòåëüíûé èëëþñòðàòèâíûé ìàòåðèàë. Äëÿ àðõåîëîãîâ, ïàëåîãåîãðàôîâ, ìóçåéíûõ ðàáîòíèêîâ, ñòóäåíòîâ ñîîòâåòñòâóþùèõ ñïåöèàëèçàöèé. Èçäàíèå î ñóùå ñòâëåíî â ðàìêàõ ïðîãðàììû ôóíäàìåíòàëüíûõ èññëåäîâàíèé Ïðåçèäèóìà ÐÀÍ «Àäàïòàöèÿ íàðîäîâ è êóëüòóð ê èçìåíåíèÿì ïðèðîäíîé ñðåäû, ñîöèàëüíûì è òåõíîãåííûì òðàíñôîðìàöèÿì», ïðîåêò «Îñíîâíûå ýòàïû îñâîåíèÿ ñåâåðî-âîñòîêà Åâðîïû â êàìåííîì âåêå: ïàëåîýêîëîãè÷åñêèé àñïåêò». Ðåäêîëëåãèÿ À.Â. Âîëîêèòèí (îòâ. ðåäàêòîð), Â.Í. Êàðìàíîâ (îòâ. ñåêðåòàðü), Ï.Þ. Ïàâëîâ

This paper is concerned with a survey carried out in 2002 and a test excavation carried out in 2004 at Lake Vetsijärvi in Utsjoki borough, northernmost Finnish Lapland. The authors discovered about a dozen Stone Age sites near the lake in 2002. One of the sites, called Sujala, produced evidence of a core-and-blade industry that used a raw material typical of the arctic coast. A test excavation of this site in 2004 revealed two clusters of blades and related artefacts, including two cores and a tanged point. The closest parallels to the finds can be found on the Varangerfjord coast and belong to Phase I of the Komsa culture (ca. 10 000-9000 BP). This would make Sujala the first known inland site of the early Komsa culture, which has previously been considered purely maritime in nature. However, there are also indications of a possible eastern connection in the assemblage. It should be stressed that the finds have not yet been fully analysed and the interpretations presented are preliminary.

This paper discusses the spatial features of the Early Mesolithic sujala site in Utsjoki, Finnish Lapland. It begins with a short description of the site and its lithic assemblage. The lithic evidence supports an interpretation as a single-component site with clear associations with the Post-swiderian assemblages of Northwest Russia. The spatial analyses study the distribution of the finds, which form four distinct clusters. One of these is interpreted as a dwelling with evidence of indoor blade production. Outside activities include core reduction and dumping of debris in specific spots.