FACTORS INFLUENCING THE LOCATION OF THE SETTLEMENT REVEALED IN LAYER I OF THE MIRA SITE

The long-term settlement of the region by Palaeolithic humans was determined by the availability of three key factors: water, food, and raw materials for tool-making. In the continental climate of the Eurasian steppe zone, another crucial factor was the presence of shelters or materials for their construction. The objective of this article is to clarify the reasons that determined the location of the settlement in Layer I of the Mira site. The Upper Palaeolithic site of Mira, located in the Dnipro Valley, was situated in an area devoid of stone resources, which could have posed a significant limitation. However, the abundance of archaeological sites from this period in the region suggests its high attractiveness to prehistoric people. The applied methodology systematically integrates data from archaeology and the natural sciences concerning both the settlement itself and its immediate surroundings. As a tool for reconstructing the factors that determined the location of the settlement in Layer I of the Mira site, historical and ethnographic sources on the natural conditions of the region during the pre-industrial period are utilised. The comprehensive incorporation of archaeological, geological, ethnographic, and historical data is applied to the materials from Mira for the first time, which determines the novelty of both the approach and the conclusions obtained. The primary factor compensating for the lack of stone raw materials was likely the abundance of biological resources. An analysis of the landscape features indicates that before the construction of a cascade of reservoirs, the Dnipro Valley in the area of the Great Bend comprised a complex system of islands, meadows, lakes, and wetlands. This ecosystem provided stable sources of animal and plant materials, making the region highly favourable for hunter-gatherer groups. Historical and ethnographic sources help reconstruct the natural conditions of the region in the pre-industrial period, offering insights into the likely spectrum of resources available to Palaeolithic populations. Archaeological and natural-scientific studies reveal evidence that characterizes the seasonality of the settlement, hunting practices, economic and ritual activities, and the harmonious use of local natural resources. In conclusion, the application of a comprehensive approach to the study of the Mira site, integrating archaeological, natural science, and historical-ethnographic data, has proven effective and yielded meaningful results. This research provides a coherent explanation for both the factors influencing repeated human settlement in this region and specific aspects of domestic and technological behaviour, as well as the survival strategies adopted in Mira Layer I.