Ivory Figurines and the Symbolic Context of a Paleolithic Dwelling at Kovrizhka IV on the Lower Vitim River, Eastern Siberia

Abstract

One of the most important recent discoveries made on the Vitim River (Baikal-Patom plateau, Eastern Siberia) is that of a Paleolithic dwelling at Kovrizhka IV, layer 6. It reveals markers of symbolic activity, such as two anthropomorphic ivory figurines. They were associated with a likewise non-utilitarian context: reiterating boulder and slab pavements, ocher on lithics, on a figurine, and around, evidence of manipulations with the central hearth in the dwelling. One of the figurines shows a triangle pointing downward and possibly rendering the pubes, as in female figurines. Stylistically it resembles Neolithic and Bronze Age anthropomorphic figurines from the Baikal area. Its head, painted with ocher, was directed eastwards. The second ivory figurine has a contour barely reminiscent of the human body. There is no engraving on it. Near its head, a cluster of ocher pieces was found. The radiocarbon date of the dwelling is ca 15.7 ka BP. The two figurines and a fragment of a graphite pendant are the first objects of portable art to be found in the area north of Lake Baikal. The first figurine is thus far the only unambiguously anthropomorphic Upper Paleolithic representation from northeastern Siberia.