Stone Industries of Baraba “Flat-Bottomed Neolithic”Settlements

Abstract

Purpose. The article presents the results of a study of technological and morphological characteristics of stone tool collections from the Early Neolithic settlement assemblages of Barabinsk forest-steppe containing flat-bottomed ware - Avtodrom-2, Avtodrom-2/2, Staryi Moskovsky Trakt-5 settlements. The results of a mineralogical study of the raw materials has been used. The objects of all considered collections have been proven to be identical (lithic cores, flakes, blades, perforators, sandstone abrasives, polished axes; in the absence of primary flakes and arrow points). Similarities of three sites have been found in preferable raw material (silty sandstone and other metamorphic rocks, flint, opal) in primary technology (prismatic lithic core), big amount of microblades, predominance of regular end-scrapers made from flakes, big abrasives. Results. A difference in the predominant retouch location in a special work of blades: ventral (Avtodrom-2/2, SMT-5 - up to 60 %) and dorsal (Avtodrom-1 - 61 %). The specifics of the stone industries in Baraba Neolithic settlements with flat-bottomed ceramic ware can be clearly seen in comparison with local assemblages of Artynskaya culture (late Neolithic). In comparison with considered industries, Artynsksya culture (Avtodrom-2/1 settlement) preferred another type of raw material (gray silicified sandstone), bigger role of counterstrike knapping, larger blades, clear predominance of dorsal retouch in treatment of blade tools, and differences in object classification (series of arrow points, scrapers of occasional forms, knives on large blades, stone club knobs). Conclusion. The obtained results do not contradict the idea of cultural and chronological unity of all settlements in Barabinsk forest-steppe with flat-bottomed Neolithic ware. Comparative and typological analysis of stone industries of all Neolithic assemblages with flat-bottomed ceramic ware in the Ural-West Siberian region is still advantageous, yet an undeveloped approach taking into account their polemical cultural and chronological attribution.