Main problems of the research on the Palaeolithic of Halych-Dnister region (Ukraine)

Andriy Bogucki,Ruslan Koropetskyi,Olena Tomeniuk,Oleksandr Sytnyk

doi:10.1515/geo-2020-0029

Andriy Bogucki, Ruslan Koropetskyi + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1515/geo-2020-0029

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Abstract

Abstract The article presents the results of the Palaeolithic loess sites studies in the Halych-Dnister region. It is an area in the Dnister River basin (Ukraine) with a large number of Middle and Upper Palaeolithic sites (Yezupil I, Halych I, Halych II, Mariampil I, Mariampil V, Mezhyhirtsi, Kolodiiv, Hannusivka, etc.), which have been discovered and studied including multilayered ones. It is open-air Palaeolithic sites related to widespread distribution in the region Pleistocene loess-palaeosol sequence reaching up to 30 m thickness, sometimes even more. Palaeolithic sites have been investigated using various field and laboratory archaeological and natural science research methods. Defined cultural horizons of the sites are stratified and dated by luminescent and radiocarbon methods, and their cultural identity is characterized. In the Halych-Dnister region, the most developed are the Middle Palaeolithic (Levallois, Micoquian) cultural horizons as well as the Gravettian techno-complexes of the Upper Palaeolithic. During our research, some scientific problems have been identified in studying the Palaeolithic sites of Halych-Dnister region. They are described in the article. As our practice has shown, issues such as the interpretation of the taphonomy and chronology of archaeological artefacts, the determination of the cultural identity of the archaeological site or particular cultural horizons, the underestimation of the redeposition of cultural layers, the role of palaeorelief and the deluvial–solifluction processes in it, the incompleteness of geological sections of archaeological sites are often debatable among researchers. In the light of the increasing anthropogenic impact on the environment, the issue of rationale, certification and protection of Palaeolithic sites is becoming more urgent. The main purpose of the article is to analyse these issues and find ways to resolve them.

Highlights

A lot of Palaeolithic sites are concentrated in HalychDnister region (Figure 1), a number of which were discovered by the authors and studied by stationary methods
In cultural and historical terms, Halych-Dnister region is located on the edge between Central and Eastern Europe, in close proximity to the Carpathians, which is very important for understanding the oldest settling of Eastern Europe, studying the migration routes of the Palaeolithic population, etc
Artefacts of the Middle Palaeolithic (Micoquian) are found only in the lower part of this loess deformed by deluvial–solifluction processes

Summary

Introduction

A lot of Palaeolithic sites are concentrated in HalychDnister region (Figure 1), a number of which were discovered by the authors and studied by stationary methods. First of all, it is a multilayered Palaeolithic, sites Yezupil I, Yezupil II, Yezupil III, localities Halych I, Halych II, Mezhyhirtsi, Mariampil V and others [1]. We faced a number of challenges that complicate the interpretation of the obtained factual material. These problems deserve detailed discussion and further consideration.

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