Late Pleistocene Campsites of the Transbaikal, Siberia

Summary

Late Pleistocene settlement systems in the Transbaikal Region of Siberia were established by 21,000 cal bp, and underwent key changes as climates ameliorated into the Holocene by around 12,000 cal bp. During this time the area was characterized by construction of characteristic stone-outlined circular structures, or dwelling features, with activities situated around central, stone-outlined hearths, in riparian environments of major waterways. A few produced as many as six hearth features. With warming climates and increasing forests, inhabitants diversified and intensified their consumption of small mammals, birds and fish, aided by emerging technologies including bone harpoons and possibly ceramics. We explore the developmental variability of these unique structures along the Menza and Chikoi rivers in the southwestern Transbaikal. Several key sites such as Studenoe and Ust'-Menza where complexes of remarkable late Pleistocene dwellings are highlighted emphasizing numerical chronology, formation processes, and associated artifact assemblages.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)   •
• Open Air Camps of the Terminal Pleistocene and Early Holocene: Intra-Camp Spatial Organization, Activity Areas, and Technology

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 15707