The Middle Upper Paleolithic of the Transbaikal, Russia: Ice Age Humans in Southern Siberia

Summary

The Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, 26-20 kya) was a time of reduced global temperatures. Southern Siberia, where decades of Paleolithic research have demonstrated a keen link between environment and middle Upper Paleolithic hunter-gatherer behavior, offers a unique testing ground to examine various ecologically sound models about whether human populations declined or disappeared during the height of the last ice age. Other unanswered questions have to do with the origin and dispersal of microliths in the area. Here we discuss evidence for and against LGM occupation of the Transbaikal Region with an emphasis on radiocarbon dating and technology. Included is an introduction to Lagernaya, an apparently pre-LGM site where excavations are going on to address questions about the topic.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)

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