PALEOCHANNEL SITES OF THE EARLY PALEOLITHIC IN THE NORTHEAST CAUCASUS

Excavations in the upper deposits of the multilayered Oldowan sites, Muhkai 1 and Muhkai 2, have yielded compelling evidence for the presence of sites associated with paleochannels and watercourses in the Caucasus during the late Early Pleistocene. Similar finds within an ancient watercourse bed were also discovered at the base of the lower stratum of the Ainikab 1 site. The incision itself was formed within bedrock comprising Cretaceous sandstones. This object is dated to no later than the Olduvai Subchron (1.95–1.78 Ma) of the Matuyama Chron and represents one of the earliest known instances of archaeological finds within paleochannels. Data from Muhkai 1, specifically layer 5b, indicates that the cultural remains from such sites contain a rich and diverse assemblage of lithic artifacts, including cores, core-like pieces, tools, and debitage. The qualitative composition of the lithic assemblage at this site is consistent with the remains of base camps, likely displaced from their original locations. Culturally, the lithic industry from the watercourse fill exhibits characteristics of the Early Pleistocene large-flake industry of the Caucasus, representing a transitional phase between the Oldowan and the Acheulean. The hominins responsible for this industry had mastered the technique of producing large flakes and regularly utilized these blanks to create large chopping tools (choppers), as well as cutting and scraping tools (large knives, scrapers). However, the development of large flake production did not lead to the emergence of hand axes in this region, unlike at the earliest East African sites.