The article is devoted to the study of geology, chronology and paleoecology of the multi-layered monument Biryuchya Balka-2 in the valley of the Seversky Donets River (Rostov region). During the excavations, seven Mousterian and four Late Paleolithic horizons were identified. The overwhelming majority of bone remains belonging mainly to the ancient bison were found in the Mousterian horizons. Late Paleolithic industries include scrapers, scrapers, and double-sided tools. A characteristic feature of the lower Mousterian horizons is the presence of signs not only of traditional methods of primary processing, but also of volume splitting. According to the results of palynological analysis, loams containing flint products were formed during periods of both warming and cooling. Absolute dates for the Late Paleolithic horizons are 26 and 31 Ka BP. The absolute date of 40 KA BP for one of the upper Mousterian horizons seems somewhat ancient. A break in the settlement of the parking lot is set for the period of late cooling (34.0-32.5 thousand years ago). There is reason to believe that the appearance of new methods of stone processing (in this case, plate splitting) is not directly related to landscape and climatic conditions and is most likely due to internal laws of the development of material culture. The role of natural factors in this process cannot be excluded.

Keywords: Seversky Donets, Biryuchya Balka-2, Paleolithic, excavations, section, sampling, chronology, geology, palynology, paleozoology, paleoclimate, environment.

Introduction

Biryuchya Balka-2, like other archaeological sites located near the Kremensky farm in the Konstantinovsky district of the Rostov region, is a multi-layered monument [Matyukhin, 1994, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007; Matioukhine, 1998a, b]. During many years of excavations, one of the authors of this article, A. E. Matyukhin, identified seven Mousterian and four Late Paleolithic horizons. The Mousterian industries of horizons 6, 5b, 5b, 5 and 4 are close to such monuments of the Russian Plain as Kalitvenka-1 and-1b in the Kamensky district of the Rostov region, Belokuzminovka and Kurdyumovka in the Donbass, Maryeva Gora in the Azov region, Shlyakh in the Volga region, Khotylevo-1 in the Desna Valley, etc. 1). The industry of the uppermost Mousterian horizon 3b converges with the inventory of the Antonovka-1 and -2 monuments in the Azov region and Kalitvenka-1a. The Late Paleolithic industries of horizons 2, 3, and 3b, which contain triangular points, correspond to the circle of monuments of the Strelet type. They also include layer 3 Kostenok-12, layer 5 Kostenok-11, Kostenki-6 (Anikovich, 2005b, p.40), Sungir (Bader, 1978), and Garchi-1 in the Urals region (Pavlov and Makarov, 1998).

The monument Biryuchya Balka-2 has been studied by archaeologists quite fully. The results of these studies are widely covered in a number of publications. In recent years, works related to the geology, chronology, and fauna of the monument have already been published (Titov and Tesakov, 2005; Dodonov et al., 2007; Otte, Matioukhine, and Flas, 2006).

This article presents the results of a comprehensive study of Biryuchya Balka-2. The main attention is paid to the issues of chronology and paleoecology, in particular, the reconstruction of the natural environment surrounding the ancient inhabitants of these places. The influence of landscape and climatic conditions on the development of stone industries, primarily in the Moutier era, is considered.

Figure 1. Location of some monuments of the Late Mousterian and Early Late Paleolithic on the territory of the Russian Plain.

1-Biryuchya Balka-2; 2 - Kalitven monuments; 3, 4 - Belokuzminovka and Kurdyumovka; 5-Maryeva Gora; 6-Nosovo-1; 7, 8-Antonovka-1 and -2; 9-Shlyakh; 10 - Kostenkov monuments;11 - Khotylevo-1, 12 - Sungir; 13-Garchi-1; 14-Ilskaya; 15 - cave sites of the North Caucasus.

2. Section of sediments along the eastern wall of the 2005 Biryuchya Balka-2 excavation (according to A. E. Matyukhin). The numbers in the circles correspond to the numbering of lithological layers; empty circles indicate the places where samples were taken for luminescent dating; vertical bold lines indicate the areas of the wall where samples were taken for paleomagnetic research.

1-modern soil; 2-light brown loam; 3 - grayish-brown loam; 4-yellowish-gray loam; 5-yellowish loam; 6-dark gray loam; 7-brownish loam; 8-humusized loam; 9-greenish-brown loam; 10, 11-interlayers rubble; 12-marl.

3. Section of sediments along the eastern wall of the 2003 Biryuchya Balka-2 excavation (according to A. E. Dodonov).

For a description of the layers, see the text.

The monument is dedicated to the left bank of the Biryuchya Gully, which flows into the Seversky Donets (Rostov region). Excavations were carried out in the northern, southern and eastern sections in 1988-1992 and 2000-2005. The total area of the monument is approx. 5 thousand ^m2. The main work was carried out on the eastern section; here the uncovered area is approximately 180 ^m2.

Geological and stratigraphic characteristics of the monument and conditions of occurrence of finds

Geological features of the monument were studied in the 1990s by S. V. Khrutsky (Voronezh State Agricultural University), and in recent years - by A. E. Dodonov (Geological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences). According to the conclusion of A. E. Dodonov [Dodonov et al., 2007], the left side of the beam on which the parking lot is located is covered with loam, which makes up the beam terrace; the latter rises 8-10 m above the bottom of the beam in its rear part and 7 m above the instrument panel. The slope of the terrace surface towards the beam is 2-3°. The beam width does not exceed 300 - 400 m. During excavations in 2000-2005, a complete stratigraphic section was obtained [Ibid.] (Figs. 2, 3)*. In the upper part of the section, three horizons of brown and grayish loams occur under the modern soil, containing Late Paleolithic horizons 2, 3a and 3. The lower layer of grayish-brown loam is considered by A. E. Dodonov as poorly developed soil. The main Late Paleolithic horizon 3 is confined to this loam. The soil is underlain by loess-like yellowish-gray loam, which includes the finds of horizon 3b. Below it is yellowish loess-like, noticeably layered loam. No archaeological items were found here. This is followed by dark gray loam, which, according to A. E. Dodonov, is a weakly humusized soil with a thickness of 30 - 50 cm. The upper and lower boundaries of the layer are mostly smooth and not lingual. Artefacts of the uppermost Mousterian horizon 3b have been identified here. Under this soil, a brownish, sometimes grayish loam containing flint products of the upper Mousterian horizon 4 ¹ is fixed. From a geological point of view, the underlying layer of humusized loam with a thickness of 10-20 cm, including products of the upper Mousterian horizon 4, is of undoubted interest. This interlayer with indistinct borders of the roof and sole is clearly visible only in the right part of the section. In the left part, the interlayer is indistinct, most likely due to blurring. Humusized loam overlies a pack of greenish-brown loam with a thickness of more than 2 m, which is penetrated at the base by a layer (10-20 cm)of marl rubble. Horizon 5 artefacts were found in the brownish-greenish loam roof, and horizon 5b in the bottom. The products of horizon 5b are associated with the crushed stone layer. The basal deposits are represented by a block-gravelly stratum, which, according to A. E. Dodonov, has an alluvial-proluvial character. They contain products of horizon 6. Under the block-clastic stratum and bluish clay, there are bedrocks - chalk marls.

Note that the cross-section descriptions of both researchers are generally similar. However, as noted above, A. E. Dodonov identifies the upper fossil soil in the roof of the sediments. We take this observation into account. According to A. E. Dodonov, the history of deposits traced in the section included several-

* A. E. Matyukhin described the section along the entire length of the excavation in 2005 (Fig. 2), and A. E. Dodonov - in the right part of the excavation in 2003 (Fig. 3).

number of consecutive stages. Basal clastic material represents the final phase of deformation of bedrock caused by the influence of the aquatic environment. Probably, the main stage of cutting the beam occurred in the last Interglacial period. Loess-like loams accumulated in the Valdai period. According to A. E. Dodonov, the upper soil layer (horizon of finds 3) can be considered as an analog of the Bryansk paleosol, which was formed in rather cold conditions; this is confirmed by data from many reference sections of the Russian Plain (Velichko et al., 1993, p. 16). As for the middle and lower fossil soils (horizons 3b and 4), they should probably be associated with the Middle Valdai interstadial events.

The conclusion of A. E. Dodonov on the displacement of some cover loams as a result of slope processes is important. It is also confirmed by our observations. Finds from horizons 3b (dark gray loam), 4b (brownish loam), and 4 (humusized loam) contain rounded and damaged flint products to varying degrees. This is probably due to the erosion of loam. However, when disassembling all these horizons, undisturbed areas were found, where animal bones were found, including those lying in anatomical order (horizons 4 ¹ and 4), as well as ash spots (in the same horizons). Only flint products were found in horizon 3b. Thus, we can speak of a partial redeposition of horizons ^4.1 and 4.

The upper, according to A. E. Dodonov, fossil soil (grayish-brown loam), as already noted, included a find from the Late Paleolithic horizon 3. Our long-term field observations show that this loam in many places is a lumpy, structurally undistinguished (mud-like) mass. As a rule, flint products lie randomly-in vertical and inclined positions. The findings are characterized by a vertical dispersion: they often form narrow bands or small lenses, sometimes separated from each other by a distance of approx. 1 m. On the surface of many products marked areas of natural polish and short thin shiny strokes. The latter indicates the contact of one object with another, apparently as a result of movement. Often, fragments of a single gun, such as a tip, are located at different heights. The listed features do not indicate different levels of burial of finds (human habitation), but rather the lowering and movement of objects as a result of natural processes, for example, slope or solifluction.

As for the finds from the Za horizon, in most of the excavations 8 and 9, they were found in an undisturbed state in the roof of a grayish-brown loam. Only in some places their chaotic occurrence is noted. The same should be said about the finds from horizons 3b and 2.

Products from the lower Mousterian horizons (6, 5b, 5b and 5) are well preserved. Therefore, there is no reason to speak about a noticeable erosion of the upper part of the greenish-brown loam. It should be noted that not only flint products, but also animal bones, ash spots and pieces of burnt bones were found in horizon 5. Materials were also found in the base of brownish-greenish loam. In addition to bones and flint products, numerous ash spots were found. Almost in its original position, the finds were recorded in the upper relatively thin layer of crushed stone (horizon 5b) and the basal horizon-a block-gravelly thickness. Along with a large number of flint objects, there were quite a few animal bones. Many of the finds were located in a horizontal position. Flint products are poorly or not patinated at all, and also almost not damaged.

Results of analysis of bone remains

Animal bones are not marked in horizons 2 and 3b. Several tubular bones and a fragment of a pelvic bone were found in the horizon beyond. Individual bones were found in horizon 3. A shark tooth and freshwater shells were recorded here. Of undoubted interest is a shark tooth without enamel - it, according to V. V. Titov, was removed by ancient people. Obviously, this tooth was specially brought to the habitat. Bones are also rare in horizons ^4.1 and 4. It is noteworthy that all the bones had a thick calcareous deposit, which indicates the formation of humusized loam in wet conditions; this is confirmed by palynological data.

The main part of the osteological material belongs to the lower Mousterian horizons. Lots of undetectable bones. The bones of large ungulates were identified: ribs, shoulder blades, lower jaws, individual vertebrae and teeth, various limb bones, as well as skulls and horns. However, the latter are few. A complete bison skull with horns from horizon 5b should be noted. The distance between the horns is 85-90 cm. An almost complete bison skull, without horns and lower jaw, as well as a fragment of a skull with a horn and one horn separately were found in horizon 6. According to V. V. Titov, the overwhelming majority of identifiable bones belong to the ancient bison (Bison priscus). The bones of the primitive bull (Bos primigenius), giant deer (Megaloceros sp.) and elk (Alces sp.) are isolated. Scythes are also not numerous-

rodent species studied by V. V. Titov and A. S. Tesakov (Titov and Tesakov, 2005). The main part belongs to the yellow mottled bird (Eolagurus luteus). Bone remains of hare (Lepus sp.), ground squirrel (Spermophilus sp.), hamster (Cricetini gen.) and gray vole (Microtus sp.) are not numerous.

As noted by V. V. Titov and A. S. Tesakov, the presence of bones of large bovids, as well as ground squirrels and hamsters, may indicate the predominance of open landscapes of the steppe type. The presence of bones of the yellow mottled mottled moth indicates, most likely, that the climate of the late Mousterian was more arid compared to the modern one. The presence of osteological remains of large deer in the lower Mousterian horizons indicates the simultaneous existence of extensive sedimentary areas of watersheds, as well as floodplain and bayrach forests [Ibid.]. These conclusions are consistent with the data of the palynological study of the lower sediment pack.

The predominance of bony remains of ancient bison in the lower horizons is also characteristic of the Mousterian sites Rozhok-1 in the North-Eastern Azov region (Praslov, 1968, p.65-93) and Ilskaya in the foothills of the Caucasus. It should be noted that the presence of a large number of bison bones here should be explained not so much by the wide distribution of this ungulate species as by the hunting specialization of ancient Neanderthal collectives.

Palynological characteristics of sediments and reconstruction of landscape and climatic conditions

The most complete palynological study of the entire section on Biryuchya Balka-2 was performed by T. V. Sapelko. G. M. Levkovskaya and A. N. Simakova conducted only a selective study of the monument's deposits; they were limited to loam layers containing horizons 3 and 3b. This section will present the results of T. V. Sapelko's analysis. For comparison, we use data from a palynological study of other sites in the south of the Russian Plain, in particular, the Volga region.

For palynological analysis, 90 samples were taken from the eastern wall of excavation 8. All the samples studied are strongly carbonate. Technical treatment was performed according to an improved standard procedure (Grichuk, 1940; Berglund and Ralska-Jasiewiczowa, 1986) using a heavy liquid (CdI2 + KI). According to the results of spore-pollen analysis, 12 palynozones were identified (Fig. 4)*.

The pollen concentration at the beginning of layer 9 (Palynozone 1) is very low. Some increase in the total amount of pollen and spores begins from a depth of 1,130 cm. The pollen of tree species is mainly represented by single pollen grains of pine and birch or is absent altogether. The participation of herbs is high (30-70 %). From the middle of layer 10, the pollen concentration increases. The amount of pollen from tree species (birch, pine) increases. Broad-leaved species (elm, linden) appear. Herbs still play an important role, but their number is slightly reduced. Grasses, sedges, heather predominate, wormwood and haze are present.

A low pollen concentration at the beginning of the zone may indicate a break in sedimentation. We can talk about quite favorable conditions for the development of forests dominated by birch. Alder and broad-leaved trees are also noted. Hazel trees grew in the undergrowth. Open landscapes were also widespread. This circumstance, as well as the complete absence of spruce in the composition of forests, indicate more arid conditions on the lower Don than on the upper and middle Don. In the same period, spruce forests were widespread on the upper Don (Spiridonova, 1991) and middle Don (Nekhoroshev et al., 2003), according to palynological analysis. This zone can be attributed to the early stage of civil warming.

Palynozone 2 corresponds to layer 9. The greenish-brown loam here becomes humus-rich. This zone is a transition to the next zone with more severe and unfavorable conditions. The pollen content of tree species is still high, but the amount of grass pollen increases due to a decrease in the content of spores. Among herbs, the leading role belongs to cereals, wormwood. However, the climate is still quite warm, but drier. Stratigraphically, the zone reflects the transition from civil warming to the early Mid-Adai cold snap.

Palynozone 3 corresponds to the upper part of layer 9 and layer 8. Cytologically, the zone is represented by loess-like greenish-dark gray and humus-rich loams. The palynospectra reflects the periglacial vegetation type. There is a decrease in pollen of tree species, among which birch and pine continue to predominate. Pollen of broad-leaved trees and alders disappears. Steppe and tundra species predominate among grasses. There are Betula nana and Salix. The formation of this zone took place in a cold and arid climate, but the temperature was not so low that woody vegetation could not develop at all. The spectra reflect the coldest conditions in the section. Unfavorable conditions are observed only in the upper part of the section (zones 10, 11). This zone may correspond to the early-

* Palynozones are linked to the lithological layers of the complete section (see Figure 2).

4. Spore-pollen diagram of the Biryuchya Balka-2 monument.

1-modern soil; 2-light brown loam; 3-grayish - brown loam; 4-yellowish - gray loam; 5 - yellowish loam; 6-dark gray loam; 7 - brownish loam; 8 - humusized loam; 9 - greenish-brown loam.

mu to the cold snap. Humus material, which is included in the loam of this and previous zones, was probably carried downhill from its high parts during the cold season. Sections with a similar situation were previously described, for example, by geologists from the Czech Republic and Slovakia (see, for example, Grigoriev, 1968). There are also examples when soil horizons and humus layers do not correspond to interstadial conditions, and loess - like rocks do not correspond to stadium conditions (Bolikhovskaya, 1995).

Palynozone 4 is represented by three samples at the boundary of layers 7 and 8. Humusized loam turns brownish. The role of tree species increases significantly. When pine pollen dominates (up to 30 %), spruce pollen appears for the first time. The percentage of birch leaves decreases, and Betula nana pollen disappears. A large proportion of broadleaf pollen (up to 10%) was recorded. The composition of herbs changes somewhat: wormwood disappears. The main role here is played by cereals. Spruce and pine forests are widespread. The zone reflects a span of warming and humidifying conditions. It is well correlated with the first stage of Kashinsky warming for sections of the Don basin according to E. A. Spiridonova (1991), palynozone 3 identified at the Shlyakh site on the Middle Don (Nekhoroshev et al., 2003), and palynological data of A. N. Simakova (see Dodonov et al., 2007). This gives grounds to attribute palynozone 4 to the beginning of the Kashinsky warming.

Palynozone 5 almost entirely corresponds to most of layer 7, which is represented by brownish loam. Pollen concentrations and the amount of wood components are reduced again. The palynospectra of this period reflects wetter conditions. Pollen of aquatic plants appears. Pollen of tree species is sometimes very diverse, its amount is significant. There are broad-leaved species, alder, spruce with the dominance of pine, birch. At the same time, the main taxa of the zone are sagebrush, haze, and grasses. The amount of sedge pollen is high. Small amounts of pygmy birch pollen and plow spores were found. We can talk about some settling of the territory, but not throughout the entire formation of the spectra of this zone. E. A. Spiridonova noted partial cooling in the optimum of Kashinsky warming in the zone dominated by boreal flora (1991).

In general, the conditions for the formation of palynospectra of this zone are quite complex. Some poho-

cooling at the beginning of the zone gives way to warm and humid conditions that resemble the most favorable conditions in zone 4. Then a slight cold snap occurs again. A low pollen concentration corresponds to the beginning and end of the zone. However, the low concentration and predominance of pollen in the palynospectra may be associated not with a cooling climate, but, for example, with streams that eroded sediments, which is confirmed by the presence of aquatic and coastal plants. Therefore, all this together makes it possible to include the palynospectra in one zone and attribute it to the continuation of the Kashinsky warming period. This zone with transition spectra (Spiridonova, 1989) partly coincides with zone 4 of the Shlyakh site on the Middle Don (Nekhoroshev et al., 2003).

Palynozone 6 entirely corresponds to layer 6 of brownish-gray loam. The number of woody plants increases dramatically (up to 70%). The percentage of grass pollen decreases. The maximum proportion of spruce pollen was recorded (up to 15 %). Apparently, spruce forests developed. There are broad-leaved species (elm, oak, hornbeam), alder. After a slight cooling of the climate, spruce and pine forests were restored. The conditions for the formation of palynospectra in this zone are more favorable than in the previous zone 5. This zone reflects the last stage of Kashin warming.

Palynozone 7 corresponds to the beginning of the yellowish loam layer 5. The amount of tree pollen decreases again and the percentage of herbaceous pollen increases. There is a single pollen of aquatic plants (Typha), but conditions are becoming more severe. When periglacial complexes propagate, Ephedra appears. The climate remains humid, but much colder. Grass and shrub groups are spreading. Asters, grasses, wormwood, and chicory plants predominate. The palynospectra of this zone reflects more favorable conditions than zone 3, but they are similar in composition. With the reduction of spruce and pine forests, birch forests are becoming widespread in some places.

The zone corresponds to the late cooling period - the zone of periglacial flora with birch according to E. A. Spiridonova (1991). The predominance of birch in the stand is noted. It should be noted that in the area of the parking lot Biryuchya Balka-2 it was warmer than in the area of Kostenok-17 (complex XVII).

Palynozone 8 corresponds to the end of layer 5 and the beginning of layer 4, i.e. yellowish loam turns to yellowish-gray. The pollen content of tree species decreases even more (up to 30 %). Among them, pine and birch pollen predominates. Pollen of thermophilic species and spruce trees disappears. Among grasses, periglacial complexes are distinguished. The total pollen concentration decreases. Apparently, island forests still existed, but mostly sagebrush-grasses with the participation of haze communities were widespread. The conditions of this palynozone should be considered more severe than palynozone 7. The area occupied by forests has significantly decreased.

The zone is more consistent with the palynological characteristics of the late cooling zone (periglacial flora with birch) [Ibid., 1991].

Palynozone 9 corresponds to layer 4 and the beginning of layer 3, which are represented by poorly developed soil and loess-like loam. At the beginning of the zone, the pollen of woody plants increases, but the number of grasses is also quite large. Spruce pollen reappears, and the amount of pine pollen increases dramatically. Broad-leaved species also appear, among which Ulmus and Carpinus are singly noted. By the end of the zone, conditions become less favorable. The percentage of tree pollen decreases.

With a large participation in the pollen spectrum of cereals, sagebrush, sedges, haze and various grasses, water pollen is found. Pine pollen prevails among the tree species, and the percentage of broadleaf pollen is also very significant. Spruce pollen is constantly present throughout the formation of the spectra of this zone (approx. 15%). The climate has become warmer, humidity has increased. In the river valleys, mixed forests with a significant inclusion of broad-leaved species became widespread, and open spaces were occupied by settled meadow coenoses.

The zone reflects inter-stage conditions and corresponds to the period of late Danube warming. This zone correlates with the zone of boreal flora with pine, spruce and a significant presence of birches and grasses, identified by E. A. Spiridonova [Ibid.], as well as with zone 7 of the Shlyakh section on the Middle Don (Nekhoroshev et al., 2003), which reflects warm and humid conditions. According to other data, the climate was warming during this period, but the moistening of territories was different even within the Don Region. Coniferous forests spread almost everywhere in the Russian Plain at this time (Grychuk, 1972; Serebryanny, 1978; Velichko et al., 1993; Bolikhovskaya, 1995; Dodonov et al., 2007).

Palynozone 10 corresponds to layer 3.The proportion of tree pollen, mainly pine, birch and alder, decreases on average to 30-40%. However, the number of spores increases dramatically, which may indicate the existence of island forests near water bodies. In general, the predominance of grass pollen is observed here. The main role belongs to the pollen of cereals, sedges, haze and various grasses. There is ephedra. We can talk about the spread of steppe vegetation with wet areas occupied by island forests. The climate becomes clearly arid.

The zone reflects the end of inter-stage warming with an increased role of grass-mixed communities. Along the rivers, there were still forests, in which the main forest-forming species is less whimsical pine.

Palynozone 11 completely corresponds to layer 2, represented by light brown loam. The amount of tree pollen is even more reduced. This group is mainly represented by pine and birch pollen, and to a lesser extent by alder pollen. The leading role belongs to grass pollen. There is a lot of grass pollen associated with human settlements. The spread of steppe communities has become widespread. Tree pollen, apparently imported.

The zone corresponds to the final phase of cooling. Mixed grass and cereal communities with significant participation of wormwood and haze have spread everywhere. The climate has become more severe. Many data indicate a sharp cooling after the Dunaevsky warming. A. A. Velichko considers the beginning of this cooling to be 24-23 thousand years AGO (Velichko et al., 2003), which corresponds to the accepted scheme (Spiridonova, 1991; Zarrina, 1991; Vishnyatsky and Nekhoroshev, 2001) and the dates obtained from the Biryuchya Balka section for the Bryansk soil.

Palynozone 12 corresponds to modern soil. The pollen content of tree species is reduced to the minimum values for the section (no more than 10 %, but this is also due to alder pollen). Grass pollen prevails. Steppe vegetation dominates. The presence of pollen from aquatic plants reflects local environmental conditions.

The data were correlated (see table) according to the scheme of the Srednevadai megainterstadial (Zarrina, 1991; Spiridonova, 1991). It is most consistent with the palynological zones of the Biryuchya Balka-2 site, as well as the Shlyakh site (Nekhoroshev et al., 2003). For the latter, data from various authors on the climatic stages of the Middle Waddai were generalized (Vishnyatsky and Nekhoroshev, 2001). According to the working scheme based on the results of this generalization, layers 6, 7 and the upper part of layer 8 of Biryuchiya Balka-2 belong to the inter-stage of SHS 3 (middle waddai stage 3), and the upper part of layer 4 and layer 3 belong to SHS 5. However, the climatic characteristics of these periods in the area of Biryuchya Balka-2 are even more diverse than in the middle Don. This may be due to local sediment conditions. Many layers are clearly redeposited, which causes some difficulties in drawing up an accurate description of natural conditions.

According to the palynological description of the section, the geological layers do not always coincide with the palynozones (see the table). At the same time, the composition of palynozones is similar within the same lithological layer, as well as in neighboring layers. Usually we are talking about adjacent geological layers and palynozones within a separate subrace-

Working scheme of correlation of geological layers, archaeological horizons, palinozones, paleogeographic and chronological events of Biryuchya Balka-2

divisions (stadial or inter-stadial). Finally, it is impossible to exclude the possibility of pollen penetration from the overlying layers, for example, palynozones 8 and 9.

Chronology of Mousterian and Late Paleolithic horizons

The chronology of the monument has not been fully resolved due to objective difficulties. First, there is no charcoal, which is the most suitable material for absolute dating. Secondly, the bones from the Mousterian and Late Paleolithic horizons are noticeably mineralized, which can not but affect the results of radiocarbon dating. Thus, according to the radiocarbon laboratory of the IIMC RAS, the age of bones from horizons 5 and 5b is approx. 20 thousand years, which is clearly not true. For the bone sample from horizon 4, there is an AMS date: 30240 ± 360 BP (Beta 183591), which is also rejuvenated. In this regard, it is appropriate to recall caution in relation to the young age of some Mousterian horizons of a number of monuments of the Crimea (Stepanchuk, 2004). Unfortunately, some researchers already use these preliminary dates to confirm some of their schemes (see, for example, [Anikovich, 2005b, p. 46]). As they suggest, Neanderthals were in Eastern Europe at a later time than is generally believed, and represented a dead-end line of development. Without going into the discussion, we note that we do not share this approach to solving this problem.

In recent years, several radiocarbon dates have been obtained for the Mousterian and Late Paleolithic horizons of Biryuchya Balka-2 (Otte, Matioukhine, and Flas, 2006). For the upper fossil soil, which A. E. Dodonov associates with the Bryansk interstadial, three AMS dates were obtained at the radiocarbon dating laboratory in Miami, Florida. One of them is for the roof of the soil, which contains the horizon For: 26630 ± 230 bp (Beta 183588), the other two are for the middle part of the soil: 26390 ± 200 bp (Beta 177776) and 31560 ± 200 bp (Beta 183589). It is significant that the last two dates were obtained for bones lying at the same level. The latter is preferable. Bone samples from horizons Za and 3 were also dated at the Radiocarbon Dating Center of the University of Lyon (France). The dates obtained are 31610 ± 460 BP (Ly 17242) and 28930 ± 340 BP (Ly 17243), respectively*. Speaking about the available dates for horizon 3 of Biryuchya Balka-2, it should be borne in mind that they reflect only a single time episode. In this regard, we will refer to the work of D. D. Sokolov, L. D. Sulerzhitsky and V. N. Tutubelina, which reflects an attempt to determine the relatively accurate chronological framework of the active phase and flourishing of the early Late Paleolithic Sungir site [2004]. Finally, a bone sample from the middle part of the brownish loam layer was dated to 40750 ± 970 BP (Beta 183590). In fact, this is the date of the upper Mousterian horizon 4 ¹.

A paleomagnetic study of samples taken from the entire section from the eastern and lower northern walls of Biryuchya Balka-2 did not reveal clear geomagnetic excursions (Kargapolovo and Mono)**. At the same time, several samples from the middle part of the brownish-greenish loam in the northern wall indicate the probability of detecting the Kargapolovo excursion. It is known that its chronological framework is evaluated differently. We assume a time range of 44-42 Ka BP. The age of horizon 3b associated with the average buried soil remains unclear. According to the results of palynological analysis, it is dominated by pollen of tree species, including broad-leaved ones. In other words, we are talking about warming within the middle Valdai. This is also indicated by geological data. The available dates for the underlying brownish-greenish loam (horizon ^4-1), as well as for the overlying loam (horizon 3) correspond to the Kashin warming, the chronological framework of which is in the range of 37.5-34 thousand years. L. N. [Zarrina, 1991, p. 163; Spiridonova, 1991, p. 70-71]. If this definition turns out to be reliable, then it will be necessary to recognize the coexistence of Late Mousterian and early Late Paleolithic industries. An AMS date of 36000 ± 280 BP was obtained for horizon 3 of the multi-layered Biryuchya Balka-la paleolithic workshop (Otte, Matioukhine, and Flas, 2006). In addition, for a number of Early-Late Paleolithic sites in the Kostenkov-Borshchevsky district of the Voronezh Region, the age values are 34-35 thousand years (Anikovich, 2003, 2004, 2005b; Sinitsyn, 2004; Sinitsyn, 2004). It should be noted in passing that the JRSL dates available for the lower cultural layers of the Kostenka-12 site (in the range of 46-43 Ka BP) may be quite real (Anikovich et al., 2005, p. 75). Although we can not exclude some aging of these layers.

* Written communication by M. Ott (Liege, Belgium).

** Paleomagnetic studies of sediments from the Biryuchya Balka-2 site were performed by E. G. Guskova (St. Petersburg Branch of the Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism, Ionosphere, and Radio Wave Propagation of the Russian Academy of Sciences) and A. G. Iosifidi (All-Russian Research Geological Exploration Institute, St. Petersburg).

The age of the lower Mousterian horizons has not yet been determined. It does not exceed 45 thousand years, if we take into account the age of the upper Mousterian horizon 4 ¹ (40 thousand years ago), as well as the results of paleomagnetic studies (they should be treated with caution!). Approximately the same (or slightly older) The chronological framework applies to the lowest Mousterian horizon 6. Note that, in general, the proposed age of the lower Mousterian horizons of Biryuchya Balka-2 corresponds to absolute dates for the lower Mousterian horizon of Shlyakh.

Conclusion

The sediment pack recorded in the Biryuchya Balka-2 section accumulated over approximately 25 thousand years in the middle Waddai. There is no reason to conclude that the sediments are of an earlier age. The results of geological and palynological studies indicate that loams of different genesis and structure were deposited during cold and relatively warm periods. The warmest conditions, according to the data of spore-pollen analysis, occur during the formation of dark gray weakly humusized loam. This is the final stage of the Kashinsky inter-stage. On the contrary, the lowest humusized loam (lithological layer 8, see Fig. 2) indicates cold conditions. According to archaeological research, not all geological layers contain artifacts. Late Paleolithic finds in yellowish loam are completely absent (lithological layer 5, see Fig. 2), associated with a late cold snap. No products were found in the lower part of the yellowish-brown loam, which was formed at the same time. However, objects of Mousterian age were found in all the lithological layers of the lower member of the sediments. This also applies to the lower humus loam layer, which is associated with early cooling. It is difficult to name the reasons that determined the break in the time of people's habitation in this territory. Perhaps it was a cold snap or the unavailability of raw material sources. It can be assumed that the stone outcrops in the Biryuchya beam for a long time constantly attracted ancient people. In addition, the Seversky Donets River was a convenient geographical indicator that allowed you to navigate when moving.

Taking into account the accepted chronology of the monument, the upper Mousterian horizons (4, 4, ¹, and 3b) should be attributed to 40-34 Ka BP. They are synchronous with the sites of the early Late Paleolithic period on the Middle Don (lower cultural layers Kostenok-14, layer 3 Kostenok-12, and layer 2 Kostenok-17, etc.). Late Paleolithic industries in different territories of Eurasia did not appear simultaneously. It is possible that the formation of the Late Paleolithic in some regions occurred later than 30 thousand years ago. It is important to note the appearance of new methods of primary processing, for example, plate splitting; it was reflected in the materials, in particular, of the lower Mousterian horizons of Biryuchya Balka-2 and was primarily due not to the influence of landscape and climatic conditions, but to the nature of changes in the very productive activity of primitive people.

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The article was submitted to the Editorial Board on 06.02.09.

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