The Results of Experimental Microblade Pressure Flaking on Flint Raw Materials from the Altai Mountains

The article presents the results of experimental pressure flaking of flint aimed at the production of microliths. The raw materials used in the experiments are identical to those from the Neolithic and Mesolithic complexes of the Tytkesken-2, 3, 6 and Ust-Biyke-I sites in the Altai Mountains and come from the Katun river terraces at the mouth of the Tytkesken River. A total of 13 experiments were conducted. Seven of them, due to defects in raw materials, were concluded at the initial stages of knapping. A detailed attributive analysis was carried out for the cores and debitage collections. Also, at every stage of the utilization, the 3D-modeling of the cores was provided (from pre-forms to final form). As a result of the study, it was possible to document the complete sequence of core utilization, as well as morphometric signs of blanks and cores marking the pressure knapping.