Chronostratigraphy of Middle Palaeolithic Industries of the Multilayer Paleolithic Site Biryuchya Balka 2 on the Lower Don River

The article presents preliminary results of a new stage of studying the multilayered Middle and Upper Paleolithic site Biryuchya Balka 2, located in the Seversky Donets River’s lower reaches, the Don’s largest right tributary. Based on the stratigraphy and correlation of paleosoils, the age of the lower part of the subaerial sedimentary sequence containing cultural horizons of the Middle Paleolithic is proposed to be revised. Morphological and analytical evidence makes it possible to attribute the formation of the chernozem-like paleosol at the base of the section to MIS 5 (not older than MIS 5c). Previously, this paleosol was dated to MIS 3. If the proposed stratigraphy is confirmed, significant changes should be expected in our understanding of the distribution of Middle Paleolithic industries of various types: both Micoquian/KMG and blade industries within the south of Eastern Europe and the North Caucasus.