A Multidisciplinary Study of Finds from Suchu Island (1973 Season, Excavation II, Dwelling 1)

V E Medvedev,I V Filatova

doi:10.17746/1563-0110.2020.48.2.003-013

V E Medvedev, I V Filatova

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.17746/1563-0110.2020.48.2.003-013

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Abstract

We analyze new ﬁnds from a Neolithic dwelling 1 from excavation II at the Suchu Island, on the Amur River. We analyzed an assemblage of 3788 lithics and ceramics, along with ﬁeld records housed at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography of SB RAS. The article continues the series of publications in this journal, outlining the ﬁndings at Suchu—one of the key Neolithic sites in Northeast Asia. Dwelling 1 is a 0.8-meter-deep round semi-underground structure dug into the sandy loam. In its center, there was a hearth, and walls lacked ledges. On the ﬂoor, numerous pits from posts that had supported the roof were found. The stratigraphic and horizontal position of ﬁnds was registered; artifacts were analyzed through morphological typology, petrographic and X-ray analysis, and microscopy. Our analysis reveals hunting, ﬁshing, and butchering tools, those for processing stone, wood, and bone, those for plant processing, and digging tools. Various sedimentary and igneous rocks were used as raw material. In terms of cultural chronology, standard pottery was mostly attributed to the Lower Amur cultures (Malyshevo and Voznesenovskoye), while some was apparently manufactured by immigrants. Principal technological, constructive, morphological, decorative, and functional characteristics of each ceramic type were assessed. Unusual artistic and ritual items clustered in dwelling 1 of the Malyshevo type (late 5th to early 4th millennia BC) are suggestive of a domestic shrine.

Highlights

The article continues the series of publications in this journal, outlining the findings of the 1970s in the Lower Amur at Suchu—one of the most important Neolithic sites in Northeast Asia (Medvedev, Filatova: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
In 1973, work at excavation I continued (Medvedev, Filatova, 2016), and excavation II was initiated towards the southwest, at an apparent dwelling depression, 9 m in diameter
At the time of excavation, the southeastern part of the dwelling depression had been destroyed by a ravine (Okladnikov, 1973; Derevianko, Medvedev, 1996)*

Summary

Introduction

The article continues the series of publications in this journal, outlining the findings of the 1970s in the Lower Amur at Suchu—one of the most important Neolithic sites in Northeast Asia (Medvedev, Filatova: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019). In 1973, work at excavation I continued (Medvedev, Filatova, 2016), and excavation II was initiated towards the southwest, at an apparent dwelling depression, 9 m in diameter. At the time of excavation, the southeastern part of the dwelling depression had been destroyed by a ravine (Okladnikov, 1973; Derevianko, Medvedev, 1996)*. Excavation II consisted of a 9 × 9 m excavation area, including the eroded area (which lacked artifacts). A grid system (1 × 1 m) was established, with long sides oriented along the SW-NE axis (labeled numerically from 1 to 12).

Material and methods

Findings

Conclusions