Upper Palaeolithic settlements in Buran-Kaya 3 (Crimea, Ukraine): new interdisciplinary researches of the layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2
Грот Буран Кая 3 (Крым, Украина) содержит уникальную стратиграфию литологических и культурных отложений, включающую индустрии среднего и верхнего палеолита. В частности, в слоях 5-2, 6-1, и 6-2 был обнаружен кремневый и костяной инвентарь, относящийся к эпиграветту. Эти же слои содержат многочисленн...
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| Published in: | Археологический альманах |
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| Date: | 2009 |
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Інститут археології НАН України
2009
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| Cite this: | Upper Palaeolithic settlements in Buran-Kaya 3 (Crimea, Ukraine): new interdisciplinary researches of the layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2 / A. Yanevich, S. Pean, L. Crepin, M. Laznickova-Galetova, S. Prat, V. Prysyajnuk // Археологический альманах. — 2009. — № 20. — С. 187-202. — англ. |
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Digital Library of Periodicals of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine| _version_ | 1860252935660765184 |
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| author | Yanevich, A. Pean, S. Crepin, L. Laznickova-Galetova, M. Prat, S. Prysyajnuk, V. |
| author_facet | Yanevich, A. Pean, S. Crepin, L. Laznickova-Galetova, M. Prat, S. Prysyajnuk, V. |
| citation_txt | Upper Palaeolithic settlements in Buran-Kaya 3 (Crimea, Ukraine): new interdisciplinary researches of the layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2 / A. Yanevich, S. Pean, L. Crepin, M. Laznickova-Galetova, S. Prat, V. Prysyajnuk // Археологический альманах. — 2009. — № 20. — С. 187-202. — англ. |
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| description | Грот Буран Кая 3 (Крым, Украина) содержит уникальную стратиграфию литологических и культурных отложений, включающую индустрии среднего и верхнего палеолита. В частности, в слоях 5-2, 6-1, и 6-2 был обнаружен кремневый и костяной инвентарь, относящийся к эпиграветту. Эти же слои содержат многочисленные фаунистические остатки, а также антропологический материал. В данной статье публикуются некоторые результаты междисциплинарных исследований: техникотипологический анализ кремневого и костяного инвентаря; зооархеологическое изучение останков крупных млекопитающих; исследование технологии нанесения орнамента на кости; анализ палеоантропологических материалов. На основании полученных данных предлагается функциональная интерпретация стоянки, а также производится сравнение культурных характеристик эпиграветта Буран Каи 3 и памятников соседних территорий.
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The Crimean peninsula is situated in south-eastern Eu-
rope and is well known for its numerous Palaeolithic sites.
However most of them date to the Middle Palaeolithic while
Upper Palaeolithic sites are comparatively rare. In Crimea,
within the exception of a few sites with destroyed cultural
layers and workshops, there are only five stratified sites
with settlements attributed to the Epigravettian: Siuren 1
(upper cultural layer), Adzhy-Koba (cultural layer 2), Wy-
shenne 2, Skalistyi rock-shelter (cultural layers V, VI, VII),
Buran-Kaya 3 (cultural layers 5-2, 6-1, 6-2) (Fig. 1, a). The
archaeological materials from Siuren 1 (upper layer) and
Adzhy-Koba were excavated by G.A. Bonch-Osmolovski
in the 1930’s (бонч-осмоловский, 1934; векилова, 1957;
трусова, 1940; колосов, 1965б). The Upper Palaeolithic
layers of Skalistyi rock-shelter did not contain dense lithic
assemblages and yielded only isolated animal bones (Co-
hen et al. 1996). In the open-air site Wishenne 2, an abun-
dant lithic industry was found, but there were only isolated
tools among them. No animal bone was found in this site
(яневич, 1992).
Buran-Kaya 3 demonstrates a unique Middle to Upper
Palaeolithic stratigraphy of South-Eastern Europe, with an
exceptional association of numerous stone and bone indus-
tries, faunistical assemblages, objects of mobiliary art and
human remains, particularly in the layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2,
attributed to the Epigravettian.
This paper presents the first results of recent investiga-
tions conducted on the bio-archaeological materials excavat-
ed in 2001 from the layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2 of Buran-Kaya
3. The main issues presented here are: 1/ Description of the
stone and bone industries, the faunistical assemblages, the
objects of mobiliary art and the anthropological remains, 2/
Preliminary restitution of the Palaeolithic subsistence and
technical behaviours in the palaeoecological context of cri-
mea, and 3/ Comparison of cultural features with the Upper
Palaeolithic context of East Europe.
GEOGRAPHICAL AND STRATIGRAPHICAL CONTEXT
Buran-Kaya 3 is situated in the eastern part of the Crimea,
in the middle basin of the burulcha river, in the belogorsk
region (4 km southwards from the village Aromatne), on the
limit between the mountains and steppe zones, in the deep
valley of the river. The site is lying in a small partly col-
lapsed rock-shelter oriented South-West. The rock-shelter is
at present 5 m wide and about 3 m deep. The rear wall of the
rock-shelter presents a karstic cave, at least 3 m long (Fig.
1, b), whose entrance was closed in the Neolithic time. All
Palaeolithic layers (excluding E and D levels) extend into
the unexcavated karstic cave.
The first sondage was done in 1990 by A. Yanevich and
the site was excavated during five field seasons by many
specialists under the direction of A. Marks (Middle Palaeo-
lithic and Early Upper Palaeolithic layers) and A. Yanevich
(Upper Palaeolithic layers), on an area extending to 50 m²
(Chabai, Monigal, Marks 2004).
The deposits in the Buran-Kaya 3 rock-shelter consist
of lime rubble and lime sand and different proportions of
loamy sediment, depending on the climate conditions gov-
erning the geologic layer deposition. The best stratigraphical
profile was preserved near the rear wall of the rock-shelter
(Fig. 1, b). Twelve cultural layers were uncovered, spanning
a time period from the Middle Palaeolithic to the Middle
Ages (Monigal 2004b). Epigravettian in the stratigraphical
profile of Buran-Kaya 3 is represented by the cultural layers
5-2, 6-1 and 6-2 (Fig. 1, b).
The Buran-Kaya 3 rock-shelter is characterised by a
very slow sedimentation process (чабай, 2004а, с. 26-27).
Therefore, the deposits were “pressed”. The archaeological
stratigraphy contains no sterile horizons and the cultural
layers were defined only by the lithological features. Most
cultural layers contain a very high number of artefacts and
undoubtedly a series of palimpsests. Only isolated dwelling
structures have been recognised by the remains of a hearth
in layers 6-1 and another one in 6-2.
GEOCHRONOLOGY AND PALEOENVIRONMENT
the published amS 14C dates have shown inconsistencies
and ambiguities concerning the Upper Palaeolithic sequence
(summarized in Monigal 2004b). One date of 30740±460
BP (OXA-6882) is attributed to layer 6-2 (Pettitt 1998).
Nevertheless, the lithic industry recovered from this layer is
attributed to the Epigravettian, which is not known to be so
ancient. The lack of correspondence between the radiocarbon
date and the expected age of the 6-2 layer requires further
analyses, especially new 14c dates and biogeochemical
analyses, which are currently in progress, on samples of
accurately identified faunal and human remains.
The results of both palynology and micro-mammal study
indicate a general steppe landscape and a similar diachronic
tendency. From the layer 6-2 to 5-2, there is an important
cooling episode and the environment becomes dryer and
more desertic (Table 1).
the latest study of the large mammal remains from
layers 5-2 and 6-1 (see below in this paper) suggests an open
environment with a greatly reduced tree cover, with cold
and dry climatic conditions
According to Gerasimenko (2004), the base of the level
6-1 could be correlated with the Lascaux Interstadial due
to the more temperate condition. Conversely, according to
the micro-mammal data, Markova (2004a) suggests that
upper pAlAeoliThic seTTleMenTs in BurAn-kAyA 3 (criMeA, ukrAine): neW
inTerDisciplinAry reseArches of The lAyers 5-2, 6-1 AnD 6-2
A. YANEVICH, S. PÉAN, L. CRÉPIN,
M. LáZNIčKOVá-GALETOVá, S. PRAT, V. PRYSYAJNUK
верхнепалеолитические поселения в буран кае 3 (крым, украина): новые междисциплинарные исследования слоёв 5-2, 6-1 и 6-2188
Figure 1: a – Geographical situation of Buran-Kaya 3 and the other Palaeolithic sites of Crimea, Ukraine (modified after Ferring,
1998). b- Stratigraphy of Buran-Kaya 3 (Monigal, 2004b – drawing A. Yanevich 1996) and plan of the 2001 excavation (modified after
Monigal, 2004b).
Upper Palaeolithic settlements in Buran-Kaya 3 (Crimea, Ukraine): new interdisciplinary researches of the layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2 189
level 6-1 could be attributed to the last Valdai maximum.
further zooarchaeological analyses and radiocarbon dates
already in progress should shed new light upon this chrono-
ecological issue.
large mammal aSSemblageS
the initial results of the zooarchaeological study,
presented here, focus on the identified bones from the upper
part (the first 3 stripping horizons) of layer 6-1 and the entire
layer 5-2, excavated in 2001. On the whole, including the
unidentified specimens, the levels 6-1 and 5-2 yielded more
than 120000 faunal remains from the 6 m² area excavated in
2001 (Table 2).
Taphonomy
The taphonomic study was conducted on the whole
assemblage. The bones are very fragmented but the cortical
surfaces are quite little altered. Only the first stages of
weathering are represented by a few fissurations and
exfoliation of the cortical bone surfaces. We observed many
traces of oxyde deposition mainly due to manganese and
iron (on more than 50 % of the bone fragments). Marks of
water dissolution are seen on less than 10 % of the bones.
Few additional climato-edaphic processes are visible. The
extreme fragmentation of the material (more than 90 % of
the bone fragments are less than 2 cm long) can be largely
explained by post-depositional breakage.
The main non-anthropic biological agents affecting
the faunal material, especially those from hare and saiga
antelope, are carnivores, mostly small canids. An important
difference concerns the stratigraphic distribution of this
action, as about 8 % of the layer 5-2 bone material presents
gnawing or bite marks (likely caused by hyaenas) whereas
less than 2 % of the underlying layer 6-1 assemblage
possesses such modifications. Marks left by vegetation on
the bone material (root etching) never exceed 5 % of the
total material.
in these archaeological levels, humans are the main agent
responsible for the accumulation of the faunal material.
A significant portion of the material exhibits the residues
from combustion activities (27 % in 6-1 and 16 % in 5-2).
Furthermore, a significant number of long bone fragments
(longer than 2 cm) exhibit helicoidal fractures typical of
fresh bone breakage, partly due to humans. Other anthropic
activities, such as butchery, are comparatively sparse, partly
due to the fact that bone fragmentation limits the observation
of traces.
This first taphonomic approach (additional spatial
analyses are currently in progress) leads us to consider
that the deposition processes of both cultural layers have a
similar history. Bones seem to have been rapidly buried in
a mainly cold environmental context, in spite of the relative
humidity at the bottom of the valley. The presence of
carnivore activity at this site appears to be more significant
in the layer 5-2 than in 6-1.
faunal spectrum
The faunal spectra (Table 3, Fig. 2) show a predominance
of small-sized mammals: saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica), red
fox (Vulpes vulpes), polar fox (Alopex lagopus) and hares
(Lepus sp.), in terms of the Number of Identified Specimens
(NISP) as well as Minimum Number of Individuals (cMNI).
Hares seem to be less abundant in layer 5-2 than in 6-1.
Large-sized mammals are only represented by a few bones
of equids (equus hydruntinus and equus caballus) and
bovines (Bovinae), mainly in the layer 6-1 for the latter.
Equids are better represented in layer 5-2 than in 6-1. Cervids
are only represented by a few remains in each level. Large-
sized carnivores appear in the assemblages however only
represented by single individuals for each taxon: bear (Ursus
sp.), wolf (Canis lupus) and cave hyaena (Crocuta crocuta
spelaea). On the contrary, foxes (or Vulpinae: Vulpes vulpes
and Alopex lagopus) are very well represented by relatively
complete skeletons corresponding to several individuals.
From the palaeoecological point of view, the faunal
spectra of both layers 6-1 and 5-2 indicate an open
environment with a much reduced tree covers: the low
representation of cervids and high presence of equids and
bovids. The climate appears to have been mainly cold and
dry (saiga antelope) in spite of the presence of several small
carnivores (mustelids), which indicates the existence of a
more humid place near the site, probably at the bottom of
the valley.
Acquisition of the main species
in both layers, saiga antelope is clearly the most
attractive species for the Palaeolithic occupants of the site,
predominating in terms of NISP (about 30 %) and MNI.
Juvenile and adult animals have been identified. A young
saiga antelope seems to have been killed during the warm
season in 5-2. The generally good preservation of cranial
elements and those of the autopodia has been observed (Fig.
2, b). On the contrary, there are a significant low proportion
Table 2: Quantification of the large mammal remains
from the layers 5-2 and 6-1 (3 upper stripping horizons)
of Buran-Kaya 3 (NISP: Number of Identified
Specimens; NID: Number of Not-Identified remains).
nisp % nisp niD % niD ToTAl
layer 5-2 304 1,57% 19 601 98,43% 19 905
layer 6-1
(upper 3 horizons) 312 1,14% 27 031 98,86% 27 343
Table 1: Synthesis of palaeoenvironmental studies
of the layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2 at Buran-Kaya 3 (after
Gerasimenko 2004 and Markova 2004a).
6-2 6-1 5-2
palynology
Forest-
steppe /
Meadow-
steppe
Forest-
steppe /
Meadow-
steppe
Grass-
steppe /
Dry-
steppe
Dry-steppe
Micromammals
Steppe
and semi-
desert
Steppe and semi-
desert / dryer
condition
Steppe and semi-
desert / Presence of
water near the site
верхнепалеолитические поселения в буран кае 3 (крым, украина): новые междисциплинарные исследования слоёв 5-2, 6-1 и 6-2190
of the elements associated with the axial skeleton. Bones
are present in similar proportions in both layers, with the
exception of long bones which are more abundant in 6-1.
the traces of anthropic activities on bones result from
skinning, meat filleting and marrow extraction.
With regards to the two fox species (red and polar fox),
young and adult individuals have been identified. The skeletal
preservation of these small canids is similar between the two
layers (Fig. 2, c): all elements of the skeleton (including the
axial part) are well represented. The intrusive origin of the
fox remains at the site after the human occupation episodes
cannot be excluded.
Leporidae is the third main mammal family represented
within this deposit, and are present in the same proportions
as small canids (Fig. 2, d). The bone preservation of hares
is similar to those of the foxes with however a lower rated
preservation of the dental remains and the autopodia. This
may indicate that hare pelts were removed from the site.
traces of consumption on hare remains by humans and
small carnivores are visible.
The low number of elements attributed to other
large mammals did not permit us to obtain additional
palethnographical information at present. However it has
been observed that, in 5-2, there are teeth from two young
horses (approximately 10 and 15-18 months old), which
suggest that their slaughter would have taken place during
the cold season.
lithic iNdUStry
the lithic assemblages from the epigravettian layers
recovered during the 2001 excavations are quite dense: 3490
artefacts in the cultural layer 5-2, 23650 in 6-1 and 2689 in
6-2. All lithic inventories are similar and will be considered
together in this article.
The predominant raw material of the stone artefacts is a
high-quality flint, which is black or grey in colour, and, to
a lesser extent, a low-quality flint of brown and light grey
colour. The sources of all flints are found 10 to 20 km away
north and north-east from the site, in the Burulcha valley,
the Kara Kush Mountain and the Biyuk Karasu valley.
The blade processing of the Buran-Kaya Epigravettian is
based on the use of mainly prismatic cores with one striking
platform and narrow flaking surfaces (Fig. 3, 1-4). Prismatic
multiplatform cores were used too (Fig. 3, 5, 6). The quantity
and location of striking platforms and flaking surfaces of
these cores are varied. However, striking platforms and
flaking surfaces are situated only on the narrow sides of the
preforms. The formation of secondary and tertiary striking
platforms was connected with different artisan errors (errors
of manufacture) on the primary platform. These platforms
were specially made because it was impossible to get
necessary blanks from the main platform and the work
surface, also for the optimal use of materials. Multiplatform
cores are generally smaller than exhausted cores with good
Table 3: Faunal spectrum of the layers 5-2 and 6-1 (3 upper stripping horizons) at Buran-Kaya 3.
layer 6-1 (upper horizons 1 to 3) layer 5-2
TAXon nisp %nisp cmni %cmni nisp %nisp cmni %cmni
equidae
equus hydruntinus – – – – 8 2,6 2 9,1
equus caballus – – – – 7 2,2 2 9,1
n.d. Equid 33 10,6 1 6,3 12 3,8 – –
Bovidae
bovines 13 4,2 1 6,3 1 0,3 1 4,5
Saiga tatarica 101 32,6 3 18,8 93 29,8 3 13,6
Small bovid 4 1,3 – – – – – –
cervidae
Cervus elaphus 1 0,3 1 6,3 6 1,9 1 4,5
Rangifer tarandus 1 0,3 1 6,3 4 1,3 1 4,5
very large cervid 1 0,3 – – – – – –
n.d. Cervid 5 1,6 – – 3 1 – –
ursidae Ursus sp. 1 0,3 1 6,3 1 0,3 1 4,5
hyaenidae Crocuta crocuta spelaea – – – – 3 1 1 4,5
large carnivore 5 1,6 – – – – – –
canidae
Canis lupus 3 1 1 6,3 15 4,8 1 4,5
Alopex lagopus 12 3,9 1 6,3 12 3,8 2 9,1
Vulpes vulpes 11 3,5 1 6,3 4 1,3 1 4,5
n.d. fox 55 17,7 1 6,3 61 19,6 – –
Mustelidae mustelid 1 0,3 1 6,3 7 2,2 3 13,6
Small carnivore 17 5,5 – – – – – –
leporidae Lepus sp. 46 14,8 3 18,8 50 16 2 9,1
Large rodent (cf. Marmota) – – – – 23 7,4 1 4,5
ToTAl 312 100,0 16 100,0 304 100,0 22 100,0
Upper Palaeolithic settlements in Buran-Kaya 3 (Crimea, Ukraine): new interdisciplinary researches of the layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2 191
Figure 2: Faunal remains from the layers 5-2 and 6-1 (3 upper stripping horizons) of Buran-Kaya 3. a – Faunal spectrum (% NISP); b –
Bone preservation (Ps) of Saiga antelope; c Bone preservation (Ps) of Polar and Red Fox; d – Bone preservation (Ps) of Hare. (NISP:
Number of Identified Specimens; Ps: Percentage of survival)
верхнепалеолитические поселения в буран кае 3 (крым, украина): новые междисциплинарные исследования слоёв 5-2, 6-1 и 6-2192
Figure 3: Buran-Kaya 3, layer 6-1, cores.
Upper Palaeolithic settlements in Buran-Kaya 3 (Crimea, Ukraine): new interdisciplinary researches of the layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2 193
Figure 4: Buran-Kaya 3, layer 6-1, microliths.
верхнепалеолитические поселения в буран кае 3 (крым, украина): новые междисциплинарные исследования слоёв 5-2, 6-1 и 6-2194
Figure 5: Buran-Kaya 3, layer 6-1, burins.
Upper Palaeolithic settlements in Buran-Kaya 3 (Crimea, Ukraine): new interdisciplinary researches of the layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2 195
Figure 6: Buran-Kaya 3, layer 6-1, scrapers.
верхнепалеолитические поселения в буран кае 3 (крым, украина): новые междисциплинарные исследования слоёв 5-2, 6-1 и 6-2196
prepared versant sides. With this in mind, the multiplatform
cores are the variant of cores with one striking platform and
narrow front. Fracture zones were only prepared through
retouch during the process of core reduction. As a result, most
cores of Epigravettian layers in Buran-Kaya 3 demonstrate
very homogenous blade processing technology.
The relative proportion of tools within the total lithic in-
ventory is 3.2 % for the layer 5-2, 3.7 % for 6-1 and 5.1 %
for 6-2.
a striking feature of these three epigravettian assem-
blages of Buran-Kaya 3 consists of a very high proportion
of backed microliths in the tool kit: 77.1 % in the layer 5-2,
87.2 % in 6-1 and 74.6 % in 6-2. There are an unusually
high proportion of different points among the microliths,
which represent more than half of the total number of the
microliths. These are numerous bilateral (Fig. 4, 1, 2, 4, 7,
9, 13-17, 25, 26, 50) and convergent (Fig. 4, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10,
11, 12, 23, 24) backed points with retouch on both sides and
a comparatively small proportion of microgravettian points
(Fig. 4, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 53, 55, 58, 59, 60). The other
microliths are represented by isolated rectangles (Fig. 4, 30-
34) and numerous backed bladelets (Fig. 4, 26, 27, 28, 29,
35-49, 51, 52, 54, 56, 57, 61, 62, 63). The retouch of the
microliths is exclusively semi-abrupt and abrupt. The height
of the retouch is less than 3 mm; it is usually calibrated be-
tween 1 and 2 mm. The angle of retouch is not very steep,
between 60° and 85°. Ventral retouch was never employed
in the production of the microliths.
Burins are more frequent than end-scrapers. They were
produced almost equally from flakes and blades. Among
them, angle burins dominate (Fig. 5, 1-4, 7-14). The burins
on truncations (Fig. 5, 5) and the dihedral burins (Fig. 5, 6)
are also quite abundant. Many of them have multiple work-
ing edges (Fig. 5, 5, 6, 11, 14).
Among scrapers, the simple end-scrapers predominate
and were produced from blades as well as from flakes (Fig.
6, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8). In addition, there are isolated double-end
type scrapers (Fig. 6, 2, 6) and semicircular scrapers (Fig.
6, 7). In the lithic inventory of layers 6-1 and 6-2, pièces
esquillées are also present (Fig. 6, 9). Furthermore, many
flakes and blades exhibit retouch, with a few of blades
bearing Aurignacian retouch (Fig. 6, 10, 11, 12).
boNe iNdUStry
The cultural layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2 have yielded a total
of 32 bone tools since the beginning of the excavations,
many of which are fragmented. Among the tools with a clear
function, 2 arrow heads, 5 projectile points and 4 awls have
been identified.
The arrow heads (Fig. 7, 9, 10) measure about 3.5 cm
in length and maximally 0.5 cm in thickness, they bear a
completely worked surface, a round or a slightly oval cross
section and a specially worked base for the arrow shaft.
Spear points (Fig. 7, 23-26, 29) are represented by
fragments with almost parallel sides, 1.4 to 0.7 cm wide, and
with complete or, in one case, partially (Fig. 7, 29) worked
surfaces, and with exact oval cross sections.
Awls are made from fragments of long bone which
were still partly kept with their joint ends. They exhibit
only simple cross sections in the worked distal part, mostly
roundish or oval in section (Fig. 7, 28, 31). The function of
one tool, which is made of a large fragment of long bone
(Fig. 7, 27), is difficult to determine. It may be an awl;
however this artefact presents worked sides on its whole
length and may be a projectile point.
the remaining bone tools are small distal fragments of
points, most of which bear carefully worked surfaces and
round cross sections, and maybe broken arrow heads (Fig.
7, 1-4, 8, 12, 14, 20). A few very thin fragments with parallel
sides may represent the fragments of needles (Fig. 7, 11,
13, 16, 17). Finally, a few fragments have clear oval cross
sections, and possibly represent parts of projectile points or
awls (Fig. 7, 5, 6, 7, 15, 18, 19, 21, 22).
these tools are mainly made of bones, such as ribs,
metapodials (from horse and cervids) and long bones, and
antler (probably from reindeer). Most of them were broken
as they were used as tools. One artefact, which is made
of a long bone (Fig. 7, 30), seems to have been used as a
matrix to extract a needle. Some of these tools could have
been produced in situ (needles, points) but a lot of them
(especially those from antler) seem to have been imported
from another site of production.
SHELLS AND OSSEOUS PERSONAL ORNAMENTS
Since the beginning of fieldworks at Buran-Kaya 3,
the ornaments excavated from the layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2
consist of perforated mollusc shells, fox and red deer teeth,
perforated mammoth ivory pendants and a thin blade of
mammoth tusk ivory with “meander” ornaments.
Mollusc shells
A total of 60 fresh water (Theodoxus sp., Fig. 8a, 6-18)
and marine shells (nassa sp., Fig. 8a, 1-4, and Cyclope sp.,
Fig. 8a, 5), were recovered. Many of them are not specifically
identifiable due to their poor state of preservation.
In the layer 5-2 only 7 shells of Theodoxus sp. were
found (5 of which were perforated).
The molluscs from the layer 6-1 belong to different
species: mainly shells of Theodoxus sp. (35 pieces, 25 with
hole, 3 without, 7 fragments); a few Theodoxus fluviatilis
L. and Theodoxus cf. danasteri Lindholm, 1908; 6 shells of
Cyclope sp. (5 with a hole, 1 fragment), 5 perforated shells of
nassa sp. and 1 fragment of Lithoglipus ex gr. Piramidatus
Mollendorf, 1873.
The shells from the layer 6-2 are not abundant: 5 shells of
Theodoxus sp. (4 with a hole and 1 without) and 1 perforated
shell of Cyclope sp.
Among the shells recovered from Buran-Kaya 3 there
are: Theodoxus sp., including Theodoxus fluviatilis L.
and Theodoxus cf. danasteri Lindholm, 1908, as well as
Lithoglipus ex gr. Piramidatus mollendorf, 1873, they
Upper Palaeolithic settlements in Buran-Kaya 3 (Crimea, Ukraine): new interdisciplinary researches of the layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2 197
Figure 7: Buran-Kaya 3, layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2, bone industry.
верхнепалеолитические поселения в буран кае 3 (крым, украина): новые междисциплинарные исследования слоёв 5-2, 6-1 и 6-2198
Figure 8: Buran-Kaya 3, layers 6-1 and 6-2, pendants: perforated shells (a), mammal teeth and mammoth tusk ivory beads (b).
Upper Palaeolithic settlements in Buran-Kaya 3 (Crimea, Ukraine): new interdisciplinary researches of the layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2 199
spread in wide areas of the European rivers, particularly
in southern Ukraine. Cyclope sp. and nassa sp. are marine
species and are well represented in the Black Sea.
Mammal teeth
Perforated teeth include two upper canines of red deer
(Cervus elaphus), from layer 6-2, and one upper canine of
polar fox (Alopex lagopus) from layer 6-1 (Fig. 8b).
the fox tooth is a right upper canine belonging to an adult
individual. The root is partially broken. The perforation was
achieved by means of successive scratching of splinters up
to the drilling of the root (Taborin 1977).
the largest red deer tooth is a right upper canine from
an adult male. Well preserved, it presents one complete
perforation and probably another one broken. The remaining
part of the second perforation is very round; this may suggest
the abandonment of the first perforation during the shaping
of the object or re-use of the tooth after breakage due to
its utilisation by suspension. The preserved perforation is
biconical and it was made by rotation. In its inner surface
the residues of a red colouring agent have been observed.
On the tooth crown, two short and parallel notches are also
present (Fig. 8b).
the second red deer tooth is also a right upper canine
from a male individual, somewhat smaller than the other
one. It also bears a circular perforation made by alternate
rotation and the broken remains of a secondary system of
attachment. Inside the perforation, there are also traces of
red pigment.
Mammoth ivory
The four beads found at the site (layers 6-1) are made
from mammoth tusk ivory: one is shaped like a “teardrop”
and three are bilobate in form (2 complete and 1 fragmented).
They are covered by sediment which limits the observation
of the perforation. The teardrop-shaped bead (length 15.0
mm, width 10.2 mm, thickness 2.4 mm) gets a proximal
perforation and is split up into five associable bladelets. The
bilobate beads (one is 10.8 mm long and 5.7 mm wide) have a
central, circular and biconical perforation. They are complete
and in a very good state of preservation. The perforation,
however, still contains sediment. The general shape of these
beads matches White’s (1999) hypothesis of stringed pattern
(agencement engrené), as they fit to each other.
on a very fragile ivory blade, in splitting progress,
preserved with a lot of sediment, we observed fragments of
a decoration reminding meanders, constituted by opposite
parallel incisions.
hUmaN remaiNS
Some human remains have been discovered in 1994 (7
teeth) and 2001. We present in this paper, the remains from
the six square-meters excavation undertaken in this site by
Alexander Yanevich in 2001. They are located into three
different levels: 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2 but the majority comes
from level 6-1. In total, 167 skeletal remains are allocated to
the genus Homo, most of them being highly fragmentary.
inventory
the representation of skeletal elements is unexpected
and consists mostly of cranial (n=116) and dental (n=35)
remains. The postcranial skeleton is represented by only
sixteen remains and consists of rib fragments and phalanxes.
the anatomical distribution of the cranial remains is also
particular with the presence of only one maxillo-facial
remain, three fragments of mandible, contrasting with an
abundance of frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital bones
fragments (Fig. 9).
Minimal number of individual, age at death and
sexual attribution
None of the teeth from the levels 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2
are found with their associated jaws. It is also difficult to
determine some association between the cranial and dental
remains. However, an estimate of the minimum number
of individuals can be done on the dental material. The
MNI is based on the wear status, the estimation of dental
development, position of the enamel hypoplasia, and
repeated teeth. Based on these observations of the 35 dental
remains found in 2001, the minimum number of individuals
is 7. One individual, a juvenile, comes from the layer 5-2.
Five individuals are located in layer 6-1. They represent
four different developmental age groups: juvenile, subadult,
adult and old adult. One subadult individual comes from
layer 6-2.
the sexual diagnosis of these specimens is not possible
due to the absence of any pelvic bones, which are crucial for
the determination of sex.
Disease
enamel hypoplasia has been observed on several different
teeth. The enamel hypoplasia is a defect of tooth enamel
which results of a low quantity of enamel compare to the
normal. It is a developmental defect related to generalised
disturbances. The observation of this pathology can be
interpreted, in this case, as a sign of nutritive stress.
Taxonomic determination
With regards to the taxonomic assignment, it can be
made on only a few complete bones and teeth with good state
of conservation. Preliminary investigations demonstrate
that the dental remains exhibit traits which occur more
frequently in anatomically modern humans than in other
humans (i.e. Neanderthals) such as the lack of a well-
developed mid-trigonid crest, and no large anterior fovea
on the lower molars. Furthermore, it can be mentioned the
lack of shovelling and labial convexity, and a lack of any
well-developed lingual tubercles on the maxillary incisors.
The co-occurrence of these traits (absent in the human
remains from Buran-Kaya 3) distinguishes Neanderthals
from anatomically modern humans (Bailey & Hublin 2005;
Bailey 2006).
diScUSSioN aNd coNclUSioN
The stone industry of the layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2 in
Buran-Kaya 3 demonstrates relatively long-term occupa-
верхнепалеолитические поселения в буран кае 3 (крым, украина): новые междисциплинарные исследования слоёв 5-2, 6-1 и 6-2200
tions of the site. There are full cycles of flint usage with
completely used cores and a high proportion of debitage, as
well as the production and refreshment of tools and the va-
riety of tool classes. Other residential indicators are demon-
strated by different objects: presence of personal ornaments,
bone tools and intensive use of ochre.
conversely the inferred subsistence activities and the
absence of in situ production of osseous artefacts (industry
and ornaments) rather refer to short-termed settlements.
The faunal remains found in layers 5-2 and 6-1 are ex-
tremely split up and can be attributed to only a few individu-
als. Four species predominate: saiga antelope, common fox,
polar fox and hare. These taxa are accompanied by equids
and carnivores. This faunal spectrum characterises an open
environment of cold and dry steppe.
the subsistence human activities in the study area, the
rear part of the rock-shelter, seem relatively modest and do
not show the complete chaîne opératoire of butchery. Only
skinning, filleting and marrow extraction activities have been
observed on the bones. The first stages of butchery probably
took place elsewhere, in another location (at the front part of
the rock-shelter?) or even another site. Furthermore, there is
a high usage of bone as fuel within the site, which could be
explained by a very cold environmental context with rare
plant resources and/or by activities of preparation of meat
and fat broth (bouillon gras).
The proportion of artefacts from osseous raw material
(bone industry and other objects in bone, ivory or shell) is
quite small in the layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2 of Buran-Kaya
3. Except the occurrence of a few bone supports used to
produce needles, these osseous artefacts, which are mainly
weapons, seem to have been all imported as already pro-
duced objects (manuports), and then broken during their
usage. These features suggest short-term and recurrent set-
tlements and are zooarchaeologically considered typical of
a temporary hunting camp.
Figure 9: Examples of human remains from Buran-Kaya 3. From left to right, (up): lower molar, occipital bone; (bottom): mandible,
phalanx. Scale = 1cm.
Upper Palaeolithic settlements in Buran-Kaya 3 (Crimea, Ukraine): new interdisciplinary researches of the layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2 201
one of the main distinguishing features of the stone in-
dustries from the layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2 in Buran-Kaya 3 is
the comparatively large amount of microliths, which takes
a central place in the discussion regarding the function of
the Epigravettian settlements. These artefacts were used as
parts of different projectile points and represent about 80 %
of the whole tool assemblage among all 3 Epigravettian lay-
ers. This high proportion of microliths is typical for all Up-
per Palaeolithic of Crimea: 56 % of the inventory in the Epi-
gravettian upper layer at Siuren 1 (векилова, 1957); 58.9
%, 67.6 % and 47.4 % in the Aurignacian layers of Units H,
G and F at Siuren 1 (Demidenko, Otte 2001, p. 133-146);
60.2 %, 65.7 % and 67.0 % in the late Aurignacian layers
6-3, 6-4 and 6-5 at Buran-Kaya 3.
Among the Upper Palaeolithic sites of Crimea, game
species vary. Small and mobile animals (saiga antelope,
horses, red deer, wild boar) predominate over large-sized
animals (megaceros, bovines) (векилова, 1971, p. 124-
125, табл. 3).
by comparison, the epigravettian sites of the middle
Dniepr valley, where mammoth remains dominate in the
faunal material, show a completely different proportion of
the microliths in the tool kit, from 6 % to maximally 39 %
(Nuzhnyi 2006, p. 58-93). The relative proportion of micro-
liths decreases in the epigravettian sites of the bison zone in
southern Ukraine: from 7.4 % to maximally 41.8 % (крото-
ва, 2000; главенчук, 2003-2204).
thus, the high proportion of microliths in the inventory
of Buran-Kaya 3, as well as in other Epigravettian and Au-
rignacian sites of Crimea could be related to (1) the high
variability of the game and (2) the relatively small size and
high mobility of these hunted animals. The hunting activities
of the Epigravettian inhabitants in Buran-Kaya 3 required
flexible strategies especially in the mountainous areas, dif-
ferent types of weapon, with an important use of bow, as
demonstrated by the flint and bone arrow heads, and a high
proportion of microliths per hunted animal.
The lithic inventories of the Epigravettian layers 5-2,
6-1 and 6-2 from Buran-Kaya 3 are analogous to Siuren 1
(layer 2) and Adzhy-Koba (layer 2) complexes. At all these
sites, cores were used with one striking platform and nar-
row flaking surfaces and the same multiplatform cores with
narrow flaking surfaces. The retouch of the microliths is
exclusively low, semi-abrupt and abrupt; there are bilateral
and convergent backed points. Simple end-scrapers and an-
gle burins on flakes predominate, and pièces esquillées are
present. According to the lithic inventories, these three sites
represent one of the three local variants of the epigravettian
in Crimea (яневич, 2000).
The perforated shell pendants from layers 5-2, 6-1 and
6-2 at Buran-Kaya 3 have two origins: fresh water (theo-
doxus sp.) and the Black Sea (Cyclope neritea L., nassa
sp). These pendants were found in all three Epigravettian
layers of Buran-Kaya 3 and may have had a high impor-
tance for the epigravettian population of the site, as el-
ements of personal ornament. During Epigravettian they
were only spread in northern Ukraine and adjacent areas
of Russia, in the region of the middle Dniepr (Iakovleva,
2005; Nuzhnyi, 2006). It must be emphasized, that in the
southern Ukraine, pendants made from perforated mol-
luscs Theodoxus sp. and nassa sp. shells were only found
in two Epigravettian sites: Solone Osero IX, lower layer
(оленковский, 2000, c. 74, fig. 51: 28, 29) and Dubova
Balka (Abramova, 1995, fig. 10: 2, 3). Both sites lie be-
tween the Crimea and the middle Dniepr region, in the
Sivash Lowlands and the Dniepr rapids respectively. Thus,
these sites, as well as Buran-Kaya 3, may mark a spread-
ing path of the mollusc shells from the black Sea area to
northern Ukraine.
The other objects of mobile art from the Epigravettian
layers of Buran-Kaya 3 have many analogies in the Up-
per Palaeolithic of northern Ukraine and Russia: especially
the blades of mammoth ivory with “meander” ornament in
Mizyn (Шовкопляс, 1965, c. 218, fig. 55), Barmaki (Nuzh-
nyi, 2006, p. 65, fig. 6: 14-17) and Kostenki 1 (Abramova,
1995, fig. 74: 6). Ivory teardrop-shaped and bilobate pen-
dants are present in Molodova V, layer 8 (ibid., fig. 9: 2),
Mizyn (Шовкопляс, 1965, tabl. XLVI: 1-12), Gagarino
(Abramova, 1995, fig. 52: 8), Kostenki 1 (ibid., fig. 72: 2),
Kostenki 4 (ibid., fig. 87: 2) and Sungir (ibid., fig. 50: 1-4,
6). In Buran-Kaya 3 no mammoth bone was found. The
southern border of this animal area was about 450 km north-
wards from the site in the Epigravettian, at 49°N latitude.
All artefacts made of mammoth ivory at Buran-Kaya 3 un-
doubtedly appear as imports. They were found in the same
stratigraphic unit, the lower part of the layer 6-1. Therefore,
these ivory ornaments may suggest contact with the human
populations from the middle dniepr or the kostenki on the
Don areas.
the analysis of the human remains, found in 2001
in the layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2 of Buran-Kaya 3, sheds
light on the presence of a minimum of seven individuals
(juvenile, sub-adult, adult and old adult). Some of them
present a nutritional deficiency. The ongoing analysis
of the taphonomic traces and spatial distribution of the
human remains should give us more information about
the nature of this deposit. The occurrence of numerous
anthropological remains raises further issues about the
function of the site.
Apart from Buran-Kaya 3, Upper Palaeolithic human re-
mains are very rare in Ukraine. They are usually represented
by isolated teeth, or skull fragments associated with isolated
fragments of postcranial skeleton: fragments of the skull(s?)
and a humerus of a young individual in Novgorod-Siverskij
1 (підоплічко, 1947a, p. 93-94), a fragment of a skull in
Chulativ 1 (підоплічко, 1947б, p. 138, 139, 148, tabl. IV;
гремяцкий, 1947, p. 121-122) and a skull of a young wom-
an at Anetivka 2 (станко та ін., ред., 1997, с. 109-111).
The skull fragments from both Novgorod-Siverskij 1 and
Chulativ 1 bear cut marks. The skull from Anetivka 2 was
found with ochre and represents, according to V.N. Stanko,
a ritual burial. These finds may indicate the possible exist-
ence of burial practices involving the head of the deceased
during Upper Palaeolithic in Ukraine.
верхнепалеолитические поселения в буран кае 3 (крым, украина): новые междисциплинарные исследования слоёв 5-2, 6-1 и 6-2202
ackNoWledgemeNtS
The analyses were supported by the ANR “Mammouths”
Research Program No. ANR-05-JCJC-0240-01 (principal in-
vestigator: S. Péan, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle,
Paris) of the French National Research Agency (Agence Na-
tionale de la Recherche). We would like to thank Benjamin
Patenaude for his help in correcting the English text.
резюме
яНевич а., пеаН с., крепиН л.,
лазНичкова-галетова м., прат с., присяЖНЮк в.
верхнепАлеолитические поселения в бурАн кАе 3 (крым, укрАинА): новые
междисЦиплинАрные исследовАния слоёв 5-2, 6-1 и 6-2
грот буран кая 3 (крым, украина) содержит уни-
кальную стратиграфию литологических и культурных
отложений, включающую индустрии среднего и верхне-
го палеолита. в частности, в слоях 5-2, 6-1, и 6-2 был об-
наружен кремневый и костяной инвентарь, относящий-
ся к эпиграветту. Эти же слои содержат многочисленные
фаунистические остатки, а также антропологический
материал. в данной статье публикуются некоторые ре-
зультаты междисциплинарных исследований: технико-
типологический анализ кремневого и костяного инвен-
таря; зооархеологическое изучение останков крупных
млекопитающих; исследование технологии нанесения
орнамента на кости; анализ палеоантропологических
материалов. На основании полученных данных предла-
гается функциональная интерпретация стоянки, а так-
же производится сравнение культурных характеристик
эпиграветта буран каи 3 и памятников соседних терри-
торий.
|
| id | nasplib_isofts_kiev_ua-123456789-28866 |
| institution | Digital Library of Periodicals of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine |
| issn | XXXX-0084 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-12-07T18:45:28Z |
| publishDate | 2009 |
| publisher | Інститут археології НАН України |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | Yanevich, A. Pean, S. Crepin, L. Laznickova-Galetova, M. Prat, S. Prysyajnuk, V. 2011-11-24T22:09:29Z 2011-11-24T22:09:29Z 2009 Upper Palaeolithic settlements in Buran-Kaya 3 (Crimea, Ukraine): new interdisciplinary researches of the layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2 / A. Yanevich, S. Pean, L. Crepin, M. Laznickova-Galetova, S. Prat, V. Prysyajnuk // Археологический альманах. — 2009. — № 20. — С. 187-202. — англ. XXXX-0084 https://nasplib.isofts.kiev.ua/handle/123456789/28866 Грот Буран Кая 3 (Крым, Украина) содержит уникальную стратиграфию литологических и культурных отложений, включающую индустрии среднего и верхнего палеолита. В частности, в слоях 5-2, 6-1, и 6-2 был обнаружен кремневый и костяной инвентарь, относящийся к эпиграветту. Эти же слои содержат многочисленные фаунистические остатки, а также антропологический материал. В данной статье публикуются некоторые результаты междисциплинарных исследований: техникотипологический анализ кремневого и костяного инвентаря; зооархеологическое изучение останков крупных млекопитающих; исследование технологии нанесения орнамента на кости; анализ палеоантропологических материалов. На основании полученных данных предлагается функциональная интерпретация стоянки, а также производится сравнение культурных характеристик эпиграветта Буран Каи 3 и памятников соседних территорий. The analyses were supported by the ANR “Mammouths” Research Program No. ANR-05-JCJC-0240-01 (principal investigator: S. Péan, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris) of the French National Research Agency (Agence Nationale de la Recherche). We would like to thank Benjamin Patenaude for his help in correcting the English text. en Інститут археології НАН України Археологический альманах Upper Palaeolithic settlements in Buran-Kaya 3 (Crimea, Ukraine): new interdisciplinary researches of the layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2 Верхнепалеолитические поселения в Буран-Кае 3 (Крым, Украина): новые междисциплинарные исследования слоёв 5-2, 6-1 и 6-2 Article published earlier |
| spellingShingle | Upper Palaeolithic settlements in Buran-Kaya 3 (Crimea, Ukraine): new interdisciplinary researches of the layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2 Yanevich, A. Pean, S. Crepin, L. Laznickova-Galetova, M. Prat, S. Prysyajnuk, V. |
| title | Upper Palaeolithic settlements in Buran-Kaya 3 (Crimea, Ukraine): new interdisciplinary researches of the layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2 |
| title_alt | Верхнепалеолитические поселения в Буран-Кае 3 (Крым, Украина): новые междисциплинарные исследования слоёв 5-2, 6-1 и 6-2 |
| title_full | Upper Palaeolithic settlements in Buran-Kaya 3 (Crimea, Ukraine): new interdisciplinary researches of the layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2 |
| title_fullStr | Upper Palaeolithic settlements in Buran-Kaya 3 (Crimea, Ukraine): new interdisciplinary researches of the layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Upper Palaeolithic settlements in Buran-Kaya 3 (Crimea, Ukraine): new interdisciplinary researches of the layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2 |
| title_short | Upper Palaeolithic settlements in Buran-Kaya 3 (Crimea, Ukraine): new interdisciplinary researches of the layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2 |
| title_sort | upper palaeolithic settlements in buran-kaya 3 (crimea, ukraine): new interdisciplinary researches of the layers 5-2, 6-1 and 6-2 |
| url | https://nasplib.isofts.kiev.ua/handle/123456789/28866 |
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