Вивчення зв’язку між залишками пігменту та розтріскуванням ковпакоподібної форми: приклад із Заскельної V
The article examines flint artefacts with traces of pigment discovered in 1993 in layer II of the Zaskelna V site (Crimea), focusing on one specimen with rare incomplete potlid-like cracking and associated ochrerich residues. An initial hypothesis that the cracking was caused by heated pigment-conta...
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| Дата: | 2025 |
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Institute of Archaeology NAS of Ukraine
2025
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Chemistry, Physics and Technology of Surface| _version_ | 1872824652139593728 |
|---|---|
| author | Stepanchuk , V. M. Naumenko , O. O. Tysliuk, V. V. |
| author_facet | Stepanchuk , V. M. Naumenko , O. O. Tysliuk, V. V. |
| author_institution_txt_mv | [
{
"author": "V. M. Stepanchuk ",
"institution": "DSc, Leading Research Fellow, the Institute of Archaeology, the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the Stone Age Archaeology Department",
"orcid": ""
},
{
"author": "O. O. Naumenko ",
"institution": "PhD student, the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, the Archaeology and Museum Studies Department, Senior researcher, the National Museum of the History of Ukraine, sector “Archaeology of the Stone — Bronze Ages” of the Research Department of Archaeology",
"orcid": ""
},
{
"author": " V. V. Tysliuk",
"institution": "Collections Keeper, the National Museum of the History of Ukraine, sector \"Medieval Archaeology\" of the Research Department of Archaeology",
"orcid": ""
}
] |
| author_sort | Stepanchuk , V. M. |
| baseUrl_str | https://arheologia.com.ua/index.php/arheologia/oai |
| collection | OJS |
| container_end_page | 22 |
| container_issue | 4 |
| container_start_page | 5 |
| container_title | Археологія |
| container_volume | |
| datestamp_date | 2025-12-08T01:00:56Z |
| description | The article examines flint artefacts with traces of pigment discovered in 1993 in layer II of the Zaskelna V site (Crimea), focusing on one specimen with rare incomplete potlid-like cracking and associated ochrerich residues. An initial hypothesis that the cracking was caused by heated pigment-containing adhesive was not supported experimentally. Instead, the scar likely resulted from localised sudden cooling, while the pigment adhered later to the surface damage, though their precise relationship remains unclear. |
| doi_str_mv | 10.15407/archaeologyua2025.04.005 |
| first_indexed | 2026-08-07T01:06:09Z |
| format | Article |
| fulltext |
НАЦIОНАЛЬНА АКАДЕМIЯ НАУК УКРАЇНИ • IНСТИТУТ АРХЕОЛОГIЇ НАН УКРАЇНИ
НАУКОВИЙ ЖУРНАЛ – ЗАСНОВАНИЙ У 1947 р.
ВИДАЄТЬСЯ ЩОКВАРТАЛЬНО
КИЇВ 4 2025
АРХЕОЛОГIЯ
Головний редактор
ЧАБАЙ В. П., член-кореспондент НАН України, Iнститут археологiї НАН України
Редакцiйна колегiя
БОЛТРИК Ю. В., кандидат iсторичних наук, Iнститут археологiї НАН України
БУЙСЬКИХ А. В., член-кореспондент НАН України, Iнститут археологiї НАН України
ГАРДІ С. Е., PhD, Університет ім. Рея Хуана Карлоса, Іспанія
ДЖIНДЖАН Ф., професор, доктор хаб., почесний професор унiверситету Париж 1 Пантеон
Сорбонна, Францiя
ЗАЛIЗНЯК Л. Л., професор, доктор iсторичних наук, Нацiональний унiверситет
«Києво-Могилянська академiя»
КАЙЗЕР Е., професор, доктор хаб., Вiльний унiверситет Берлiну, Німеччина
ОТРОЩЕНКО В. В., професор, доктор iсторичних наук, Iнститут археологiї НАН України
ПЛАВІНСЬКИЙ М. О., кандидат історичних наук, Варшавський університет, Польща
ПОТЄХIНА I. Д., кандидат iсторичних наук, Iнститут археологiї НАН України
РАБІНОВІЦ А., PhD, Техаський університет в Остіні, Сполучені штати Америки
ФОРНАСЬЄ Й., професор, доктор хаб., Галле-Віттенбергський університет імені Мартіна Лютера,
Німеччина
ШЕВЧЕНКО T. М., кандидат історичних наук, Інститут археології НАН України (вiдповiдальний секретар)
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF UKRAINE • INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY NAS OF UKRAINE
SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL – FOUNDED IN 1947
FREQUENCY: QUARTERLY
Editor-in-Chief
CHABAI V. P., Corresponding Member of the NAS of Ukraine, Institute of Archaeology
of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
Editorial Board
BOLTRYK Yu. V., PhD in History, Institute of Archaeology of the NAS of Ukraine
BUISKYKH A. V., Corresponding Member of the NAS of Ukraine, Institute of Archaeology of the NAS of Ukraine
DJINDJIAN F., Professor, Dr. Hab., Professor of the University of Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne, France
FORNASIER J., Professor, Dr. Hab., Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany
HARDY S. A., PhD, Rey Juan Carlos University, Spain
KAISER E., Professor, Dr. Hab., Free University of Berlin, Germany
OTROSHCHENKO V. V., Professor, DSc in History, Institute of Archaeology of the NAS of Ukraine
PLAVINSKI M. O., PhD in History, University of Warsaw, Poland
POTEKHINA I. D., PhD in History, Institute of Archaeology of the NAS of Ukraine
RABINOWITZ A., PhD in Classical Archaeology, University of Texas at Austin, the USA
SHEVCHENKO T. M., PhD in History, Institute of Archaeology NAS of Ukraine (Executive Secretary)
ZALIZNIAK L. L., Professor, DSc in History, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy
ARHEOLOGIA
KYIV 4 2025
ЗМIСТ CONTENTS
Articles
СТЕПАНЧУК В. М., НАУМЕНКО О. О., ТИС-
ЛЮК В. В. Вивчення зв’язку між залишками піг-
менту та розтріскуванням ковпакоподібної форми:
приклад із Заскельної V
ПАЛМЕР Р., ФОУЛЕР М., ВАРД В., КАРЯ-
КА О. В. Ландшафтне археологічне обстеження
6600 км2 Черкаської обл. (Україна) з вико-
ристанням супутникових знімків із відкритих
джерел: другий звіт
МОГИЛОВ О. Д. Поховальні споруди Cвітло-
водського могильника скіфського часу на серед-
ньому Дніпрі
ПУГОЛОВОК Ю. О., КУШНІР А. С., МАТ-
ВІЇШИНА Ж. М. Палеоландшафтний аналіз
ранньослов’янського городища в Опішні
Publications
of Archaeological Materials
KOVALENKO O. V., REIDA R. M. Alanian Buri-
al of the Hun Period (Barrow no. 17 of the Cemetery
near Storozhove Village)
To the History
of Ancient Crafts
ПАВЛЕНКО С. В. Дослідження виробничого ре-
гіону індустрії пірофілітового сланцю на півдні
Словечансько-Овруцького кряжу
Статтi
STEPANCHUK V. M., NAUMENKO O. O., TY-
SLIUK V. V. Examining the Association Between
Pigment Residues and Potlid-like Cracking: a Case
Study from Zaskelna V
PALMER R., FOWLER M., WARD V., KARIA-
KA O. V. An Archaeological Landscape Survey of
6600 km2 of Cherkasy Oblast, Ukraine, Using Open-
Source Satellite Images: Second Report
MOHYLOV O. D. Scythian Period Funerary Con-
structions of the Svitlovodsk Cemetery in the Middle
Dnipro Region
PUHOLOVOK Yu. O., KUSHNIR A. S., MAT-
VIISHYNA Zh. M. Paleolandscape Analysis of the
Early Slavic Hillfort in Opishnia
Публiкацiї
археологiчних матерiалiв
КОВАЛЕНКО О. В., РЕЙДА Р. М. Аланське
поховання гунського часу (курган 17 могильника
поблизу с. Сторожове)
До iсторiї
стародавнього виробництва
PAVLENKO S. V. Study of the Industrial Region
of the Pyrophyllite Slate Industry in the South of the
Slovechno-Ovruch Ridge
5
23
53
77
91
114
Iсторiя науки
БРОВЕНДЕР Ю. М. Становлення і розвиток
східноукраїнського осередку наукової школи
професора В. В. Отрощенка (до 80-річчя юві-
ляра)
Хронiка
Пам’яті Олександра Петровича Моці
Алфавiтний покажчик змiсту журналу
«Археологiя» за 2025 рiк
History of Science
BROVENDER Yu. M. The Formation and Devel-
opment of the Eastern Ukrainian Centre of Professor
V. V. Otroshchenko’s Research School (on the Oc-
casion of his 80th Anniversary)
News Review
To the Memory of Oleksandr Petrovych Motsia
Index of Publications in Arheologia Journal in
2025
139
149
150
ISSN 0235-3490 (Print), ISSN 2616-499X (Online). Археологія, 2025, № 4 5
Статтi
УДК: 903.21(477.75)”632”
https://doi.org/10.15407/arheologiaua2025.04.005
© STEPANCHUK Vadym Mykolaiovych, 2025 — DSc,
Leading Research Fellow, the Institute of Archaeology, the
National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the Stone Age
Archaeology Department, ORCID: 0000-0002-5476-2284,
vadimstepanchuk@iananu.org.ua
© NAUMENKO Oleksandr Oleksandrovych, 2025 — PhD
student, the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv,
the Archaeology and Museum Studies Department, Senior
researcher, the National Museum of the History of Ukraine,
sector “Archaeology of the Stone — Bronze Ages” of the
Research Department of Archaeology, ORCID: 0000-
0003-3931-603X, alexandr.naumenko.jr@gmail.com
© TYSLIUK Viktoriia Vitaliivna, 2025 — Collections Keeper, the
National Museum of the History of Ukraine, sector "Medieval
Archaeology" of the Research Department of Archaeology,
ORCID: 0009-0007-3533-9927, tysliukvika@gmail.com
© Інститут археології НАН України, 2025
EXAMINING THE ASSOCIATION
BETWEEN PIGMENT RESIDUES AND
POTLID-LIKE CRACKING: A CASE STUDY FROM ZASKELNA V
V. M. STEPANCHUK, O. O. NAUMENKO,
V. V. TYSLIUK
covering thousands of artefacts. Since the early
2000s, partial and unsystematic examinations of
these collections reveal many fragments of natu-
ral pigments and artefacts showing signs of pig-
ment use. Early examples, such as ochre pencils
with scraping and abrasion traces, were published
(Степанчук 2006). Recently, a comprehensive
collection of ochres from all layers of Prolom II
(Степанчук, Нездолій, Вєтров 2018) and a se-
lection of pebbles with pigment residues from
various Middle Palaeolithic sites in the Crimea
have been documented (Stepanchuk 2022). Pre-
liminary studies of micro-residues on artefacts
from older sites, including the Late Acheulean
site of Zaskelna IX, also indicate pigment utilisa-
tion (Ryzhov et al. 2022; Рижов, Тислюк 2024).
The widespread evidence of pigment use at Mid-
dle Palaeolithic sites in the Crimea highlights the
active application of pigments by local Neander-
thals. Besides, a few stone artefacts with pigment
residues have been published from the layers III
and IIIa of the Zaskelna VI (Kolosov) site (Сте-
панчук, Васильев 2018).
A few years ago, the first author of the current
paper identified a flake in the collection of stone
artefacts from the layer II of Zaskelna V that dis-
played possible pigment residues within a cracked
area of the artefact. This article explores a poten-
tial relationship between two features observed on
this object: internal cracking of the flint and the
presence of adhered pigment in the same zone. As
a working hypothesis, it is proposed that the frac-
turing of the flint resulted from short-term ther-
mal stress, possibly caused by the application of a
hot pigment-based compound to a cooler flint sur-
face. This compound was likely used as an adhe-
sive — a possibility supported by numerous stud-
ies. Adhesive mixtures, including ochre-based com-
pounds, are widely known to have been used for
hafting stone tools in the Middle Palaeolithic con-
The article examines flint artefacts with traces of pig-
ment discovered in 1993 in layer II of the Zaskelna V
site (Crimea), focusing on one specimen with rare in-
complete potlid-like cracking and associated ochre-
rich residues. An initial hypothesis that the cracking
was caused by heated pigment-containing adhesive
was not supported experimentally. Instead, the scar
likely resulted from localised sudden cooling, while the
pigment adhered later to the surface damage, though
their precise relationship remains unclear.
K e y w o r d s: Eastern Europe, Crimea, Middle
Palaeolithic, potlid-like cracking, pigment residue.
The year 2024 marks the centenary of Yurii Heo-
rhiiovych Kolosov, a famous archaeologist who
significantly advanced the study of Ukraine’s pre-
historic period in the late 20th century (Степан-
чук 2024). In the 1970s and 1980s, Yu. H. Ko-
losov, who led the Crimean Palaeolithic Expe-
dition of the Institute of Archaeology, Academy
of Sciences of Ukraine, discovered and stud-
ied many multi-layered Neanderthal sites, re-
This is an Open Access article under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode.en
ISSN 0235-3490 (Print), ISSN 2616-499X (Online). Археологія, 2025, № 46
texts, with evidence extending back nearly 200,000
years (Mazza et al. 2006; Cârciumaru et al. 2012;
Degano et al. 2019; Niekus et al. 2019; Doroniche-
va et al. 2022; Schmidt et al. 2024). To test this hy-
pothesis, we conducted a series of experiments. In
parallel, we carried out a targeted re-examination of
related materials from the layer II, focusing on finds
from the specific area where the artefact in question
was discovered during the 1993 excavations (Коло-
сов, Кухарчук, Рыжов 1994a). This revision yield-
ed several artefacts that offer new evidence and rel-
evant insights for interpreting the originally iden-
tified flake with pigment residue and potlid-like
cracking. This term refers to a particular type of in-
ternal fracture that may — but does not necessarily
— result in the detachment of so-called potlid flake,
which may occur with a delay over time (Stepan-
chuk, Naumenko 2022, 2024).
Materials and methods
Materials.
Brief characterisation of the site and layer II
industry. The multilayered cave site Zaskelna V is
located in the eastern part of the Crimean Peninsula,
near the village of Bila Skelia in the Bilohirsk dis-
trict. It is positioned on the right slope of the Chervo-
na gully, on the right bank of the Biiuk-Karasu River,
within the remnants of the limestone massif of the
second mountain ridge. Facing south, the site is at
coordinates: 45°6’58.42”N, 34°36’37.03”E (Google
Earth 2024), about 60 m above the river level. Sur-
face materials from the area later associated with Za-
skelna V were first identified by V. F. Petrun in 1964.
The stratified nature of the site was subsequently re-
vealed by Yu. H. Kolosov (1983). The site was in-
tensely studied by Yu. H. Kolosov during various pe-
riods: 1969–1972, 1974–1975, 1977–1978, 1981,
1986, and 1993–1994 (fig. 1). Further investigations
were carried out by Yu. H. Kolosov and V. M. Ste-
panchuk in 1997, and by V. P. Chabai in 2012–2013.
The materials from the 1960s and 1970s were pub-
lished in a monograph (Колосов 1983) and papers.
Excavations between the 1960s and 1990s involved
studies of geological, geomorphological, palaeogeo-
graphical, palaeontological, palynological, and other
aspects of the site, with contributions from special-
ists such as V. P Dushevskyi, P. D. Podhorodetskyi,
O. A. Kliukin, A. O. Velychko, Ye. I. Danylova,
K. V. Kapelist, and Z. P. Hubonina.
Fig. 1. Yu. H. Kolosov at the excavation of Zaskelna V in 1993, photo by Yu. V. Kukharchuk
ISSN 0235-3490 (Print), ISSN 2616-499X (Online). Археологія, 2025, № 4 7
Yu. H. Kolosov identified eight cultural lay-
ers within a ~4 m sediment profile, each varying
in thickness and extent. Recent studies have dis-
tinguished nearly 90 habitation episodes at the site
(Chabai, Uthmeier 2017). The radiocarbon age
of the layer II is estimated to be between 45,000
and 36,000 calibrated years ago (table 1), consis-
tent with the ESR date of 41.8 ± 3.1 kyr (Колосов
2003). Layer II has been studied over an area of
about 41.5 m2, including 4 m2 excavated in 2012–
2013. The artefacts discussed in this article origi-
nate from the 1993 excavations in sector 17АБВГ,
where less than three-quarters of 1 m2 of the layer II
was explored. The primary aim of the 1993 excava-
tions was to prepare sections for installing ESR and
TL dosimeters in the upper and lower parts of the
layer II. Notably, by 1985, most of the layer II in
sector 16–17АБВГ had been nearly fully explored,
although some areas were previously inaccessible
due to a collapsed rock roof. In 1993, part of this
obstruction was removed, allowing access to the de-
posits of the layer II in unit 17Г. The eastern wall of
the excavation was also cleaned, and the material
was extracted in layers rather than a grid of squares.
Consequently, despite the small area of the layer II
investigated in 1993, the exact 3D location of the ar-
tefacts discussed cannot be determined.
The second cultural layer is greyish-brown
in colour, likely due to the use of fire, 30–35 cm
thick, and sub-horizontal with a slight slope to the
northwest, located at a depth of 2.90–3.20 m. The
containing light pale sediment, genetically asso-
ciated with rock shelter erosion, comprises loam
with a silt fraction of up to 15 %, including num-
mulitic limestone sand and poorly rounded gravel
(1–5 mm in size). Ore minerals, including mag-
netite (Fe₂O₃), are sparse within this layer. Iron-
based oxides constitute approximately 4 % of
the total chemical composition (Колосов 1983),
which roughly corresponds to the typical dis-
persed content in nummulitic limestones. The cul-
tural layer does not represent a single living floor,
but rather a series of successive visits occurring
close in time. Under such conditions, remains of
a later occupation may sometimes directly over-
lie and become mixed with those of an earlier one.
In 1993, a wall up to 3 m long was revealed in
sector 17A — B and partially in unit 17Г, where
a sample was collected. Approximately 0.5 m2 of
the layer was excavated in half of unit 17Г. Since
the excavation into the eastern wall was about 5
cm deep, the total volume of excavated sediments
was around 1/4 m3. This revealed a high density of
stone artefacts, with over 8.500 items per m3, indi-
cating intense activity at the site.
Palynological data reconstructs a steppe land-
scape during the period of remains accumulation,
with pine being the most common tree species
(Губонина 1985). The megafauna, listed by abun-
dance, includes mammoth, horse, saiga, cave bear,
wolf, corsac, and marten (Колосов 1983). Among
the bone remains, saiga (including other indeter-
minate ungulates) and mammoth are predominant.
The cultural horizon reaches 30 cm in thickness
and frequently contains sooty stains and occa-
sional hearth lenses. Frequent discoveries of burnt
bone further underscore the active use of fire.
The stone inventory comprises over 30,000
items, most made from local, fine-grained, high-
quality Turonian-Cenomanian flint. It is predomi-
nantly grey of various shades, with less frequent
occurrences of black and brown. Nearby flint de-
posits, 1–3 km south of the site in the southern part
of the Ak-Kaia rock massif and on adjacent ter-
raced surfaces along the Bilohirsk-Feodosiia road,
as well as 2–3 km west in the Sary-Kaia tract, were
used. The layer contains many nodule fragments,
serving as a raw material reserve, confirming the
use of local flint (Chabai, Uthmeier 2017). The
Ak-Kaia sites are characterised by a preference
Table 1. Conventional and calibrated radio-
metric dates from Zaskelna V layer II (Степан-
чук, Ковалюх, Ван дер Плихт 2004; Chabai,
Uthmeier 2017); calibration with OxCal v4.4.4
(Bronk Ramsey, 2021); (r:5; Atmospheric data
from Reimer et al. (2020)
Z
as
ke
ln
a
V
M
at
er
ia
l
L
ab
n
o.
14
C
a
ge
, y
rs
B
P
C
al
ib
ra
te
d
A
ge
c
al
B
P
95
.4
%
pr
ob
ab
ili
ty
(O
xC
al
4
.4
.4
) Reference
Layer
II
Bone Ki-
10743
31,600 ±
350 35,944 ± 357
Степанчук,
Ковалюх,
Ван дер
Плихт 2004
Layer
II
Bone OxA-
35786
41,600 ±
1,400 44,878 ± 1398
Chabai,
Uthmeier
2017
Layer
II
Char-
coal
OxA-
35253
37,350 ±
500 41,927 ± 281
Chabai,
Uthmeier
2017
ISSN 0235-3490 (Print), ISSN 2616-499X (Online). Археологія, 2025, № 48
for tabular nodules (Колосов 2003; Ryzhov, Ste-
panchuk, Sapozhnikov 2005). According to Ko-
losov (2003) and Kolosov, Kukharchuk and Ry-
zhov (1994b), the flint assemblage from the layer
II studied in 1993 includes 1,677 items: 117 tools,
23 cores, 765 flakes, 117 blades, 75 fragments, and
577 pieces of debris. The industry is macrolithic,
with bifacial forms constituting 41.4 % of all tools.
The typological set of tools is detailed in table 2.
The industry is defined as Micoquian or Mouste-
rian bifacial according to Yu. H. Kolosov’s termi-
nology (Колосов 1983; Колосов, Степанчук, Ча-
бай 1993; Kolosov, Stepanchuk 2000).
Presentation of the artefacts discussed. Flake
ZskV:1993:17A/G:II:300/330:db271 (further on
db 271) (fig. 2). This flake, which shows remains of
probable pigment associated with the cracking zone
of the artefact, is made from translucent Turoni-
Fig. 2. Zaskelna V, layer II. Flint flake (db 271) with incomplete potlid-like cracking in the area contains microremains of ochre-
rich material (a). The 3D model (1) and photos (2) of the artefact. Scan the QR code to view the 3D model
1
2
а
10 mm
ISSN 0235-3490 (Print), ISSN 2616-499X (Online). Археологія, 2025, № 4 9
Bifacial forms Flake tools
Knives 13 Knives 10
Sidescrapers 7 Sidescrapers 13
Points 4 Points 2
Triangles 2 Retouched
flakes
15
Fragments 20 Fragments 31
Subtotal 46 Subtotal 71
Total 117
Table 2. The typological set of tools from the
layer II of the Zaskelna V site, based on the 1993
excavations, according to Kolosov Kukharchuk
and Ryzhov (Колосов, Кухарчук, Рыжов 1994b).
an flint, grey with light spots. The flint is homoge-
neous and fine-grained, with no inclusions. The sur-
faces are slightly smoothed and have an oily sheen.
The flake is suboval in plan and slightly curved in
profile, measuring 4.3 × 3.8 × 9.4 cm and weigh-
ing 13.6 g. Its dorsal surface displays a centripetal
flaking pattern, and the dihedral striking platform
shows signs of preparation through faceting. The
point of impact is clearly at the edge of the platform.
The flake’s basal portion is relatively thick due to
the platform and a prominent bulb (1.5 cm thick),
while the distal section is thinner (0.4–0.6 cm). The
termination and laterals are feather-like, and a bul-
bar scar and fissures are visible on the bulb.
Several other flint artefacts with possible pigment
residues or unusual cracking were identified in
the materials from the layer II during the 1993
excavations (table 3). These artefacts are similar
in both raw material and state of preservation,
made from translucent grey Turonian flint,
occasionally with a brownish hue. One artefact has
dark inclusions, up to black, arranged in a banded
pattern. Another artefact shows unfinished potlid-
like damage on its ventral surface. Additionally,
three artefacts show possible pigment residues.
Methods.
General approach. We use a multimethod ap-
proach that includes a comprehensive description
of the site, the context of the artefact’s discovery,
its detailed characteristics, and specific features.
It covers essential geostratigraphic, chronologi-
cal, and spatial data, as well as information about
the associated material. Our approach combines
standard technical-typological analysis with dia-
critical analysis. Experimental replication is also
employed to reconstruct the likely conditions re-
sponsible for the observed features on the artefact.
Additionally, the study provides a preliminary de-
scription of the micro-remains, without relying on
complex analytical methods or equipment.
The research and illustrations were prepared
using the Biwyily USB500xDM electron micro-
scope, MBS-9 and Bresser Advance ICD binocu-
lar microscopes, and the Levenhuk M10.P Series
digital camera with Levenhuk Lite software. Addi-
tionally, a Nikon Coolpix AW130 camera was em-
ployed. For detailed surface analysis of the arte-
fact, a 3D model was created with Structure from
Motion (SfM) photogrammetry, using the Sony
a7RIII camera with a Sigma 105 mm F2.8 DG
macro lens and RealityCapture software.
Working Hypothesis and Experimental Re-
search Procedure. Our investigation focused on de-
termining the potential causes for the simultaneous
occurrence of two distinct features: flint cracking and
the presence of suspected pigment residues in the af-
fected area. The crack on the artefact is an unfinished
potlid-like damage, usually caused by temperature-
induced effects on the near-surface layer of stone (Pat-
terson 1995; Fiers et al. 2021; Abdolahzadeh et al.
2023). Potlid-like fractures have been observed on
the surfaces of heated flint artefacts from various pe-
riods (Moore et al. 2009; Yegorov et al. 2020, fig. 8;
Науменко, Радієвська 2022, fig. 4: 10, 15), includ-
ing Middle Palaeolithic examples (Agam et al. 2023).
Our working hypothesis suggests that the crack-
ing on the db 271 artefact may have been caused
by a short-term, localised temperature effect. We
propose the involvement of two interacting agents:
a hot, pigment-containing substance and flint that
was either at moderate temperature (20–22°C) or
possibly cooled to below freezing.
To test the working hypothesis, we aimed to
simulate localised cracking in a fine-grained, isotro-
pic material when exposed to a high-temperature,
pigment-containing substance. We replicated vari-
ous temperature interaction regimes, including: a)
room temperature (20–22°C), b) room temperature
followed by cooling, c) applying the hot composi-
tion to a pre-cooled base, and d) placing a pre-heat-
ed base with a hot composition into cold water for
rapid cooling. The cooling was done using a house-
hold freezer, reaching −15°C with a minimum cool-
ing time of four hours. The progress and results of
the experiments were photographed and recorded.
The experiments involved two types of inter-
active agents: passive (“base”) and active (“ad-
hesive”). The passive elements were objects onto
which pigment-bearing substances were applied.
These included experimental flakes made from fine-
grained flint resembling the artefact under study,
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Data-based
code
Box code (+code
on the artefact)
Raw: FG ‒ fine-
grained; WS ‒
white spots
Pigment
(?)
residue
Unfinished
potlid-like
cracking
Typology Completeness Use-wear/
retouching
db 271
Zsk-V-93 unit
17А-Г II 3.00–
3.30 (70)
FG grey with
WS yes yes retouched
flake complete yes/ yes
db 291
Zsk-V-93 unit
17А-Г II 3.00–
3.30 (z/ch)
FG grey with
WS yes no flake broken yes/ no
db 292
Zsk-V-93 unit
17А-Г II 3.00–
3.30
FG grey with
WS yes no micro-
flake broken yes/ no
db 293
Zsk-V-93 unit
17А-Г II 3.00–
3.30 (27)
FG grey-
brownish with
WS
yes no partial
biface broken yes/yes
N/A
Zsk-V-93 unit
17А-Г II 3.00–
3.30 (z/ch)
FG grey-
brownish with
WS and dark-
coloured stripes
no yes blade
flake complete yes/yes
Table 3. Flint artefacts mentioned in the text, main features
specifically Cenomanian flint from the Dnister re-
gion and Turonian flint from the Volyn region. The
flakes were small, thin, and had feather-shaped edg-
es, typically without a cortex on the dorsal surface.
We also used modern untempered glass (4 mm and
10 mm thick) due to its homogeneous and isotro-
pic properties, which made it ideal for studying pot-
lid-like cracking, even though it’s not fully similar
to experimental model material. The active compo-
nents included sealing wax, chosen for its resem-
blance to traditional adhesives made from natural
resins and pigments. In several experiments, pine
resin and organosilicon polymer glue were added to
the sealing wax to enhance its adhesive properties.
Results
Techno-morphological characteristics of
flake db 271.
All edges of the artefact show evidence of wear
or intentional modification. Due to relatively sharp
changes in angle, ranging from 95° to 115°, the
working edge can be divided into five sections: a
short, oblique transverse edge, two adjoining edg-
es on the left, and two on the right.
The left lower edge, adjacent to the striking
platform, is slightly curved and 2.3 cm long. It has
intentional dorsal retouching in 1–2 rows at a steep
angle of 80–90°. The transition to the adjacent left
edge is approximately 115°. This slightly curved
edge, 2 cm in length, shows multiple micro-frac-
tures, mainly on the dorsal surface, including a
tongue-shaped fracture extending onto the back of
the flake. The transition to the next edge maintains
a similar angle of around 115°.
The straight, transversely oblique edge is 1 cm
long and shows small breaks and blunt micro-re-
touch at a 70–80° angle. The transition angle forms
an angle of about 110°. The adjacent curved edge
on the right, 2.3 cm long, has minimal wear signs
on both surfaces, characterised by individual and
clustered micro-retouch scars. The joint angle to
the next edge is approximately 95°.
The last edge, measuring 2.7 cm is next to the
striking platform on the right, has a denticulated-con-
cave shape. Both surfaces show many retouched and
non-retouched micro-notches along the edge. The
protruding part at the contact area between the right
edges is more polished than the other areas. The near-
by 1.1 cm long inter-scar area on the dorsal surface
has unusual damage, with several small flat scars,
likely caused by strong pressure applied parallel to
the surface (Thiébaut, Claud, Costamagno 2019).
On the ventral surface of the flake, near the pro-
trusion of the right edge, there is rounded potlid-
like damage in the form of an incomplete circular
crack measuring 6.8 × 6.1 mm, along with small
dents and scratches, each measuring less than a
millimetre (fig. 2: a). The flake’s thickness at this
location is 3.3 mm. More than 10 tiny micropot-
lids, about 0.2 mm, are detectable inside the pot-
lid area, along with a few larger ones that are up
to 1 mm. Despite this damage, there are no other
signs of fire exposure on the flake.
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There is a suboval area (4.3 × 5.7 mm) with
ochre-coloured particles inside the rounded potlid-
like damage. The colour varies, displaying areas
of dark reddish-brown, light reddish-brown, dark
reddish-grey, and pinkish-grey, according to the
Munsell chart. Although these residues probably
contain ochre, we cannot be sure of their exact na-
ture, because we have not done chemical or ele-
mental analyses to confirm this.
The space between the ochre-coloured parti-
cles is somewhat filled with loamy sediment. The
boundaries and surface of the ochre-coloured ac-
cumulation are irregular, and it slightly protrudes
above the flake’s surface by fractions of a millime-
tre. The pigment particles are associated with mi-
cropotlids, while the areas of flint surface between
them are often free of residues. Some pigment
grains are also found outside the main zone of the
large unfinished potlid-like crack, but still on the
flake’s ventral surface. The area with adhered mi-
croremains does not appear to be related to any in-
ternal heterogeneity of the artefact material.
Overall, the flake is a typical example of the
site’s industry, showing flat centripetal knapping
used by its inhabitants. It has significant wear on
its edges and atypical damage to both edges and
surfaces. The potlid-like damage is rare for this
type of artefact. The accumulation of heteroge-
neous ochre-coloured material is linked with this
unfinished potlid-like damage, suggesting that the
association is likely not incidental.
Techno-morphological characteristics of
flint objects similar in some features.
ZskV:1993:17A/G:II:300/330:db292 (fig. 3) is
a proximal fragment of a small flake, measuring
10 × 19 × 3 mm and weighing 0.6 g. The fragment
shows damage on the left edge and light use wear
on the dorsal right edge. The types of dorsal pat-
tern and striking platform are not definable. On the
bulb, within the terminal part of a longitudinal bul-
bar scar with a deep, wave-like surface relief, there
is a 3 × 1 mm area with adhered particles of ochre-
coloured material (fig. 3: а). This material is simi-
lar to that observed on item db 271. A small mi-
cro-residue in the form of a light grey spot, about
0.6 mm, is on the striking platform. There are no
signs of surface cracking on this flint artefact.
ZskV:1993: z/ch:17A/G:II:300/330:db291
(fig. 4: 1) is a terminal fragment of a semi-primary
centripetal flake, measuring 26 × 25 × 8 mm and
weighing 4.7 g. The surfaces are polished, and all
edges, including the breaks, have small scars from
use or trampling. The right edge opposite the break
Fig. 3. Zaskelna V, layer II. The proximal fragment of flint flake (db 292) with adhered particles of ochre-coloured material on the
percussion bulb (a). This material is similar to that observed on the flake db 271 (see: fig. 2). However, there are no potlid-like cracks
10 mm
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Fig. 4. Zaskelna V, layer II. Flint artefacts that are similar in some features to flakes db 271 and db 292. 1 — a terminal flake
fragment (db 291) with brown-red staining in the form of stripes (a). There are no pigment traces on the cortex and no signs
of cracking on the artefact; 2 — a terminal fragment of a large item with partial bifacial flaking (db 293) and a zone of ochre-
coloured particles with a brown-reddish hue (b). There are no signs of destruction on the flint surface; 3 — a blade flake with an
unfinished circular potlid-like crack on the ventral surface (c). There are no traces of pigment and no obvious mechanical damage
related to the potlid-like cracking
has a brown-red staining in the form of stripes, up
to 15 mm long and 3 mm wide (fig. 4: а). This
staining is superficial and consists of tiny particles
of pigment or coloured sediment (up to 0.1 mm)
adhering to the flint surface. No pigment traces are
found on the nearby cortex area, and there are no
signs of cracking on the flint.
ZskV:1993:17A/G:II:300/330:db293 (fig. 4: 2)
is a terminal fragment of a large item with partial
bifacial treatment, measuring 26 × 25 × 8 mm and
weighing 11.7 g. The fragment has two longitudinal
retouched edges, each up to 25 mm long, and a short
transverse edge, up to 8 mm. The dorsal surface is
fully covered with shaping scars. The left and right
edges have flat retouching in one or two rows, with
the right edge showing bifacial processing, meaning
the ventral surface had been flaked before the dor-
sal surface was shaped. The point of longitudinal
edge convergence is missing. The transverse edge is
formed by bifacial scars along the fragment’s long
1
2
3
10 mm
10 mm
10 mm
10 m
m
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axis, likely caused by vertical actions that broke the
terminal part. The direction of the fracture’s waves
aligns with this movement. The fracture edge shows
minimal wear evidence. On the more convex sur-
face near the fracture that destroyed the piece, there
is a rounded area (~2 × 2 mm) of densely packed
ochre-coloured particles with a brown-reddish hue
(fig. 4: b). These remains are similar to those ob-
served on item db 271. There are no signs of de-
struction to the flint surface.
ZskV:1993: z/ch:17A/G:II:300/330:N/A (fig. 4: 3)
is a straight-axis blade flake with a plunging termi-
nation, measuring 51 × 25 × 9 mm and weighing
9.3 g. The dorsal pattern is parallel with the cortex
(up to 50 %). The micro-striking platform is plain
(one removal). The convex left edge is sharpened
with one- or two-row retouching and shows dam-
age, possibly from trampling. The right edge, cov-
ered with a cortex along its full length, has micro-
breaks and wear that suggest use. On the ventral
surface, in the proximal third above the bulb, there
is an unfinished circular potlid-like crack with a
diameter of 7.9 mm (fig. 4: c). The surface within
the contour of this damage is smooth, showing no
disruption. The opposite area on the dorsal surface
shows no signs of impact. No traces of pigment are
visible, either by eye or under magnification. The
cause of the circular cracking is unclear, as there is
no obvious mechanical damage.
Results of modelling the expected circum-
stances that cause potlid cracking.
Since we hypothesised the cracking of the
db 271 artefact resulted from a short-term and lo-
calised thermal stress exerted by a hot pigment-
containing compound, our experiments were de-
signed to replicate these conditions. The modelling
involved various interacting materials (flint, glass,
sealing wax, resin, glue) and encompassed a range
of temperature regimes.
During the experiments, we observed various
effects. At ambient temperature, hot sealing wax
— whether pure or with additives — adheres to
the surface of the flint, but fails to spread over a
glass and does not stick very firmly (fig. 5). Seal-
ing wax adheres more strongly to the flint when
the contact area is extensive (fig. 7: 2) that in part
depends on the temperature regime. To remove it,
the object must be reheated or frozen to crack the
wax layer. After removing the wax, small, uneven-
ly coloured stains often remained at low tempera-
tures (fig. 7: 4). When flint and glass were cooled to
around −15°C, the melted wax did not spread, but
adhered well (figs. 5: I, 1, 3; II, B; 7: 3). Extreme
temperature differences were achieved by burning a
mixture of sealing wax, organosilicon polymer glue,
and pine resin on a flint or glass surface cooled to
−15°C (figs. 5: I, 2, 3; II, B; 7: 3). At high concentra-
tions of sealing wax, it spread over the surface, but
with more polymer glue, the mixture burned away
almost completely (fig. 7: 1). A common outcome
of all these experiments was that no phenomena re-
sembling potlid cracking were observed (figs. 5, 7).
Additional experiments involved rapidly cool-
ing artefacts that had been preheated for some
time. Flint and glass bases were heated in sand (ap-
prox. 300 °C) or boiling water (approx. 100 °C),
with sealing wax applied to both percussed and
intact areas. After heating, the samples were sub-
merged in cold water or had cold water poured
over them. We observed deformation of the wax:
changes in shape, darkening, and swelling due to
absorption of sand grains (fig. 6: 1a — d; 2d; 3b,
3c). By contrast, boiling alone caused only slight
degradation and surface lifting of the wax, with no
major colour or shape changes.
No noticeable damage occurred on the flint sur-
faces beneath the wax. However, the glass bases
cracked extensively in both struck and unstruck ar-
eas. Adhesive tape on the underside likely prevent-
ed full breakage. Of all the cracks, only one resem-
bled a potlid scar; others were linear (fig. 6: 3b, 3c).
Flint flakes also showed intense internal fracturing.
Some of the cracks follow structural weaknesses
created during knapping, while others show potlid-
like damage (fig. 6: 2b, 2c, 2d). On one flake, sev-
eral micro potlid-like scars likely formed from con-
tact with hot quartz sand grains (fig. 6: 2a).
These experimental conditions may help
explain the formation of the potlid-like fracture
observed on the archaeological artefact. The main
conclusion is that, regardless of the experimental
conditions, potlid fractures are not associated
with the areas where sealing wax was applied.
Therefore, our experiments did not support the
hypothesis regarding the possibility of cracking
the body of the db 271 artefact due to short-term
and localised temperature effects. Instead, they
provide insight into the conditions under which
potlid fractures and mixtures of dark-coloured
pigment with sediment particles may form.
Discussion
The flint artefacts under discussion share many
similarities, including their state of preservation,
raw material quality, as well as typological, techni-
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Fig. 5. Experimental data. 1 — molten sealing wax (1, 2), also in a mixture with pine resin, or burning polymer adhesive (3) was applied to
the pre-cooled −15°C base. Flint flakes (1, 3) and a fragment of untempered 10 mm thick glass (2). 2 — melted sealing wax is holding well
on the surface both at normal temperature (A) and when cooled to −15°C (B). Non-tempered glass with a thickness of 10 mm
I
II
50
m
m
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Fig. 6. Experimental data. 1 — a flint flake with a percussion mark (a, arrow indicates the point of impact), application
of sealing wax (b), after heating in sand (c), sealing wax partially removed (d). 2 — fragments of flake surfaces after heating in
sand and subsequent rapid spot or general water cooling: (a) micro-damage resembling potlid-type fracturing, possibly caused
by heated quartz grains, (b) single potlid fracture, spot water cooling, (c) multiple potlid fractures, cooled with running water, (d)
same, with fused remnants of sealing wax mixed with sand, note the darkening. 3 — unhardened glass, 10 mm thick: a percussion
zone with applied sealing wax (a), potlid-like fracturing after heating in sand (b), same, viewed from below (c)
5 mm
2 mm
5 mm 5 mm
5 mm
1
2
3
a b c d
5 mm
a b
c d
a b c
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Fig. 7. Experimental data. Examples of experimental objects with hot substances containing pigments applied to their surface.
1–3 — dot applications of polymer glue (1) and sealing wax (2, 3) on flint flakes. The sealing wax does not spread on a cooled
surface (3) compared to an object at room temperature (2); 4 — more intensive application of sealing wax on flint flake. To
remove the sticky layer, it must be reheated or frozen. After removing the sealing wax, small unevenly coloured spots remain.
There are no potlid-like cracks on any experimental object
1
2
3
4
10 mm
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cal and morphological characteristics. They align
with the typical characteristics of the layer II of
Zaskelna V, showing centripetal knapping and bi-
facial flaking, consistent with the Middle Palaeoli-
thic Micoquian industry. Therefore, there is no rea-
son to suggest these artefacts are intrusive. Three
objects have localised ochre-coloured micro-re-
mains similar in composition and colour. Each ar-
tefact shows traces of intensive use, such as fac-
ets, breaks, and edge destruction. The presence of
potlid-like cracks on two objects, in the absence
of clear evidence of heating, burning, or mechani-
cal impact, is unusual. The association of hetero-
geneous ochre-coloured material with a potlid-like
crack on one object suggests a possible connec-
tion, though it may be coincidental.
Not all pigment residues found in coloured ar-
eas, microremains on objects, or ochre fragments
can be directly linked to human activity. Some of
these residues may have a natural origin, potential-
ly linked to formations within the local limestones.
Additionally, some ochre-coloured material could
have been produced in situ within the layer through
accidental heating of iron oxide-containing and hy-
droxide-containing substances. The ochre residues
on artefacts db 271 and db 293 vary in colour, but
are generally dark and subdued, with dark brown
shades being common. This variation and muted
tones suggest the colours were created by prolonged
intensive heating, as confirmed by our experiments.
The heterogeneity in the colour of individual parti-
cles suggests a multicomponent composition of the
residues. Evidence indicates that Neanderthals were
capable of producing adhesives, including ochre-
based ones (Wadley, Hodgskiss, Grant 2009; Ko-
zowyk 2023; Schmidt et al. 2024), and the Crime-
an sites also provide indications of ochre-based ad-
hesives usage (Ryzhov et al. 2022). Therefore, it is
plausible that the pigment residues on the surfaces
of these artefacts may be remnants of a multicom-
ponent artificial adhesive compound.
The punctate pigmentation observed on many
objects could be attributed to random contact
with tiny pigment fragments. Larger fragments
or extensive coloured areas appear less random
and may indicate intentional application. The
main challenge is distinguishing between natural
and anthropogenic origins of pigment residues on
Middle Palaeolithic artefacts from the Crimea. The
artefacts discussed in this article show punctate
pigmentation, meaning the pigment residues on
their surfaces may be from accidental contact
rather than intentional Neanderthal activity.
However, as our experiments show, this may
simply indicate that the residues remained in
place due to surface irregularities, while originally
covering a larger area. This highlights the need for
careful assessment to avoid over-attributing such
residues to deliberate human actions.
Our data shows that suspected pigment residues
have been found on various objects from Neander-
thal sites in the Crimea, including pebbles, flint ar-
tefacts, fossil shells, and bones. These pigments
usually appear as small coloured areas or residues,
ranging from yellow to red. On flint artefacts, pig-
ment residues are frequently confined to areas with
a cortex, suggesting the potential for natural colour-
ing due to prolonged exposure of unprocessed flint
to soils rich in iron compounds. However, since no
flint deposits are linked to such soils near the site,
this thesis remains unproven. This raises the pos-
sibility that the pigments may have other origins,
including human activity or contact with environ-
mental factors, which require further investigation.
Natural inclusions within flint bodies, which dif-
fer in composition and grain size from the primary
material, are occasionally observed. However, the
ochre-coloured residues on the db 271 artefact sig-
nificantly diverge from such inclusions. These resi-
dues are distinctly associated with areas exhibiting
extensive superficial disturbances on the flint sur-
face. Under high magnification, the coloured mate-
rial appears as a conglomerate that disintegrates into
many tiny parts, suggesting it is not a solid struc-
ture. The residues do not penetrate deeply into the
flint and are absent from the dorsal surface, even
though the flake is only 3.3 mm thick. Similar char-
acteristics are observed in other artefacts with sus-
pected pigment residues, indicating that these de-
posits are surface phenomena rather than deeply
embedded natural inclusions. This pattern suggests
the residues are likely external additions, possi-
bly resulting from specific, non-natural processes.
There is a clear similarity in the character of the res-
idues observed on both archaeological and experi-
mental flakes (figs. 2; 3; 6: 2d).
The experimental results did not support the
hypothesis that the cracking on the db 271 arte-
fact was caused by short-term and localised tem-
perature effects. Therefore, the proposed connec-
tion between the concentric potlid-like cracking
and the pigment residues on the artefact was not
confirmed. This suggests that the observed damage
and the residues may not have originated from the
same processes, initially considered, indicating the
need for alternative explanations.
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Previous research has shown that cracks can
form on heated flint flakes when rapidly cooled in
water (Purdy, Brooks 1971; Whittaker 2015). We
applied various heating and cooling methods to
flint and obtained results comparable to those ob-
served on archaeological specimens. Notably, we
identified the conditions under which a single pot-
lid fracture may form — specifically, droplet con-
tact on a heated artefact. The experiments also pro-
vided insights into the likely causes of micro potlid
formation and clarified the conditions under which
small, localised residues of darkened (originally
bright) pigment may form.
We observe corresponding analogies in the ar-
chaeological materials. For example, a blade flake
from the layer II has a potlid-like defect on its ven-
tral surface. This damage is similar to the circular
crack on the db 271 artefact, both in its location
(on the ventral) and in its dimensions (diameter of
7–8 mm). However, a key difference is that while
the surface within the potlid contour on the artefact
without pigment residues remains intact, the cor-
responding area on the artefact with pigment resi-
dues shows significant damage, including several
potlid-like micro-cracks.
The ochre-coloured material seems to have
stayed on the artefact’s surface mainly due to sur-
face irregularity and damage. This is supported by
the location of the pigment residues on the db 292
artefact, found in a bulbar scar zone with a pro-
nounced wave relief. Similarly, the db 293 artefact
has pigment traces in a deep scar area. While the
damage in the unfinished potlid zone of the db 271
artefact might explain the pigment retention, the
occurrence of such potlid-like damage may be re-
lated to droplet cooling.
Conclusions
This study focuses on a flint artefact with pot-
lid-like damage, which is spatially associated with
residues of ochre-coloured material. The artefact
was discovered in 1993 in the layer II of the Za-
skelna V site, which dates back between 45,000
and 36,000 calibrated radiocarbon years ago. A re-
view of materials from the 1993 excavations iden-
tified several objects with similar characteristics,
including one with potlid-like cracking and three
with residues of ochre-coloured material. A com-
prehensive technical and typological analysis con-
firmed that these artefacts align with the lithic in-
dustry characteristics of the Micoquian layer II at
the site, indicating they are not intrusive but be-
long to the Middle Palaeolithic. The examina-
tion of the artefacts revealed significant use-wear.
Many items were broken, but continued to be used
afterwards. This observation aligns with the high
density of artefacts and faunal remains in the layer,
indicating a high level of activity and intensity of
use of this site area.
It has been established that the pigment residues
are not linked to the structural properties of the arte-
facts’ material, making it unlikely they formed nat-
urally. Instead, these residues are most probably as-
sociated with Neanderthal activities. The indicators
of high occupation activity intensity of life in the
section of the layer II uncovered in 1993, along with
the extensive use of the artefacts, further suggest a
strong likelihood that the pigment is related to Ne-
anderthal activity rather than resulting from natural
causes or accidental anthropogenic factors.
The working hypothesis suggested that the pot-
lid-like cracking was caused by applying a heat-
ed adhesive containing pigment. However, our
experiments, using various isotropic base mate-
rials, different pigment-containing compositions,
and multiple temperature regimes, did not confirm
this hypothesis. Two key observations can be high-
lighted. First, the formation of a large potlid-like
scar appears to result from the sudden, localised
cooling of a preheated flint surface, as demonstrat-
ed by our experimental findings. Second, the pig-
ment residues — darkened and mixed with what
are likely sediment particles — seem to have orig-
inated from a heated, pigment-bearing substance
that adhered to the archaeological artefact due to
surface damage. Chronologically, these two events
likely occurred in sequence. However, how these
presumed episodes in the history of artefact db 271
are related remains unclear.
Accessibility of materials
The artefacts discussed in this article are cur-
rently stored in the the Institute of Archaeology,
National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv.
The 3D model of the flake with the spot on the ven-
tral surface can be accessed via the following link:
https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/flake-with-spot-
zaskelna-v-671ed1da2a864cbe9c0bf074f6bbf508.
Received 24.10.2024
ISSN 0235-3490 (Print), ISSN 2616-499X (Online). Археологія, 2025, № 4 19
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ISSN 0235-3490 (Print), ISSN 2616-499X (Online). Археологія, 2025, № 420
Вадим М. Степанчук1, Олександр О. Науменко2, Вікторія В. Тислюк3
1Доктор історичних наук, провідний науковий співробітник відділу археології кам’яної доби Інституту археології НАН
України, ORCID: 0000-0002-5476-2284, vadimstepanchuk@iananu.org.ua
2Аспірант історичного факультету Київського національного університету імені Тараса Шевченка; cтарший науко-
вий співробітник науково-дослідного відділу археології сектора «Археологія доби каменю — бронзи» Національного му-
зею історії України, ORCID: 0000-0003-3931-603X, alexandr.naumenko.jr@gmail.com
3Зберігачка фондів науково-дослідного відділу археології сектору «Середньовічна археологія» Національного музею іс-
торії України, ORCID: 0009-0007-3533-9927, tysliukvika@gmail.com
ВИВЧЕННЯ ЗВ’ЯЗКУ МІЖ ЗАЛИШКАМИ ПІГМЕНТУ ТА РОЗТРІСКУВАННЯМ КОВПАКОПОДІБНОЇ
ФОРМИ: ПРИКЛАД ІЗ ЗАСКЕЛЬНОЇ V
Основним об’єктом дослідження є крем’яний артефакт із потлідоподібним пошкодженням і просторово пов’язаними
залишками вохристо-забарвленого матеріалу. Артефакт був знайдений у 1993 р. в мустьєрському II шарі стоянки
Заскельна V, який датується між 45 000–36 000 каліброваних радіовуглецевих років тому. Під час спеціальної перевірки
матеріалів цього шару з розкопок 1993 р. також були виявлені кілька предметів із подібними характеристиками, а саме
артефакт із потлідоподібним розтріскуванням і три артефакти із залишками вохристо-забарвленого матеріалу.
За даними техніко-технологічних аналізів, зазначені артефакти цілком відповідають параметрам кам’яної індустрії
II шару стоянки. Згідно з цим, предмети не є сторонніми та належать до середнього палеоліту. Вивчення техніко-
морфологічних атрибутів виявило значну інтенсивність підправок і використання артефактів. Частина предметів
зламані, але застосовувалися надалі. Це спостереження узгоджується з високою насиченістю шару артефактами та
рештками фауни, що вказує на значну активність мешканців на цій ділянці стоянки.
Встановлено, що залишки барвника не пов’язані з особливостями структури матеріалу артефактів, тобто мають
зовнішнє, не пов’язане походження і, ймовірно, є результатом діяльності неандертальців. Показники інтенсивності
життєдіяльності ділянки II шару, розкритої в 1993 р., й активності використання знарядь також вказують на високу
ймовірність асоціації барвника з діяльністю неандертальців, а не на прояв природного або випадкового антропогенного
чинника. Елементний аналіз складу барвника не проводився.
Припускалося, що потлідоподібне розтріскування тіла відщепу виникло через вплив гарячого клею (?) з пігментом.
Однак наші експерименти з різними матеріалами, компонентами складу з пігментом і температурними режимами
не підтвердили цю гіпотезу. Імовірно, ми маємо справу зі збігом. Потлідоподібне пошкодження утворилося внаслідок
локалізованого раптового охолодження, тоді як залишки барвника, ймовірно, походять від нагрітої речовини, що
прилипла до пошкодженої поверхні. Ці події, очевидно, відбулися послідовно, хоча їх точний взаємозв’язок залишається
нез’ясованим.
К л ю ч о в і с л о в а: Східна Європа, Крим, середній палеоліт, потлідоподібне розтріскування, залишки пігменту.
Stepanchuk, V., Naumenko, O. 2022. A New Aspect
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Stepanchuk, V., Naumenko, O. 2024. Investigating the
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| id | arheologia-com-ua-article-430 |
| institution | Chemistry, Physics and Technology of Surface |
| issn | 2616-499X |
| keywords_txt_mv | |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-08-07T01:06:09Z |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publisher | Institute of Archaeology NAS of Ukraine |
| record_format | ojs |
| resource_txt_mv | arheologiacomua/f7/44693fd70d9dc4ddc725a45e29493cf7.pdf |
| spelling | arheologia-com-ua-article-4302025-12-08T01:00:56Z Examining the Association between Pigment Residues and Potlid-like Cracking: a Case Study from Zaskelna V Вивчення зв’язку між залишками пігменту та розтріскуванням ковпакоподібної форми: приклад із Заскельної V Stepanchuk , V. M. Naumenko , O. O. Tysliuk, V. V. Eastern Europe, Crimea, Middle Palaeolithic, potlid-like cracking, pigment residue. Східна Європа, Крим, середній палеоліт, потлідоподібне розтріскування, залишки пігменту. The article examines flint artefacts with traces of pigment discovered in 1993 in layer II of the Zaskelna V site (Crimea), focusing on one specimen with rare incomplete potlid-like cracking and associated ochrerich residues. An initial hypothesis that the cracking was caused by heated pigment-containing adhesive was not supported experimentally. Instead, the scar likely resulted from localised sudden cooling, while the pigment adhered later to the surface damage, though their precise relationship remains unclear. Основним об’єктом дослідження є крем’яний артефакт із потлідоподібним пошкодженням і просторово пов’язаними залишками вохристо-забарвленого матеріалу. Артефакт був знайдений у 1993 р. в мустьєрському II шарі стоянки Заскельна V, який датується між 45 000–36 000 каліброваних радіовуглецевих років тому. Під час спеціальної перевірки матеріалів цього шару з розкопок 1993 р. також були виявлені кілька предметів із подібними характеристиками, а саме артефакт із потлідоподібним розтріскуванням і три артефакти із залишками вохристо-забарвленого матеріалу.За даними техніко-технологічних аналізів, зазначені артефакти цілком відповідають параметрам кам’яної індустрії II шару стоянки. Згідно з цим, предмети не є сторонніми та належать до середнього палеоліту. Вивчення техніко-морфологічних атрибутів виявило значну інтенсивність підправок і використання артефактів. Частина предметів зламані, але застосовувалися надалі. Це спостереження узгоджується з високою насиченістю шару артефактами та рештками фауни, що вказує на значну активність мешканців на цій ділянці стоянки.Встановлено, що залишки барвника не пов’язані з особливостями структури матеріалу артефактів, тобто мають зовнішнє, не пов’язане походження і, ймовірно, є результатом діяльності неандертальців. Показники інтенсивності життєдіяльності ділянки II шару, розкритої в 1993 р., й активності використання знарядь також вказують на високу ймовірність асоціації барвника з діяльністю неандертальців, а не на прояв природного або випадкового антропогенного чинника. Елементний аналіз складу барвника не проводився.Припускалося, що потлідоподібне розтріскування тіла відщепу виникло через вплив гарячого клею (?) з пігментом. Однак наші експерименти з різними матеріалами, компонентами складу з пігментом і температурними режимами не підтвердили цю гіпотезу. Імовірно, ми маємо справу зі збігом. Потлідоподібне пошкодження утворилося внаслідок локалізованого раптового охолодження, тоді як залишки барвника, ймовірно, походять від нагрітої речовини, що прилипла до пошкодженої поверхні. Ці події, очевидно, відбулися послідовно, хоча їх точний взаємозв’язок залишається нез’ясованим. Institute of Archaeology NAS of Ukraine 2025-12-02 Article Article application/pdf https://arheologia.com.ua/index.php/arheologia/article/view/430 10.15407/archaeologyua2025.04.005 Arheologia; No 4 (2025): Arheologia; 5-22 Археологія ; № 4 (2025): Археологія; 5-22 Археология; № 4 (2025): Arheologia; 5-22 2616-499X 0235-3490 en https://arheologia.com.ua/index.php/arheologia/article/view/430/443 Copyright (c) 2025 Arheologia https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode.en |
| spellingShingle | Східна Європа Крим середній палеоліт потлідоподібне розтріскування залишки пігменту. Stepanchuk , V. M. Naumenko , O. O. Tysliuk, V. V. Вивчення зв’язку між залишками пігменту та розтріскуванням ковпакоподібної форми: приклад із Заскельної V |
| title | Вивчення зв’язку між залишками пігменту та розтріскуванням ковпакоподібної форми: приклад із Заскельної V |
| title_alt | Examining the Association between Pigment Residues and Potlid-like Cracking: a Case Study from Zaskelna V |
| title_full | Вивчення зв’язку між залишками пігменту та розтріскуванням ковпакоподібної форми: приклад із Заскельної V |
| title_fullStr | Вивчення зв’язку між залишками пігменту та розтріскуванням ковпакоподібної форми: приклад із Заскельної V |
| title_full_unstemmed | Вивчення зв’язку між залишками пігменту та розтріскуванням ковпакоподібної форми: приклад із Заскельної V |
| title_short | Вивчення зв’язку між залишками пігменту та розтріскуванням ковпакоподібної форми: приклад із Заскельної V |
| title_sort | вивчення зв’язку між залишками пігменту та розтріскуванням ковпакоподібної форми: приклад із заскельної v |
| topic | Східна Європа Крим середній палеоліт потлідоподібне розтріскування залишки пігменту. |
| topic_facet | Eastern Europe Crimea Middle Palaeolithic potlid-like cracking pigment residue. Східна Європа Крим середній палеоліт потлідоподібне розтріскування залишки пігменту. |
| url | https://arheologia.com.ua/index.php/arheologia/article/view/430 |
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