Multidisciplinary Researches of Nebyshino 1 Site at the Upper Reaches of the Berezina River in 2018–2019

Abstract

Comprehensive multidisciplinary research was held in 2018–2019 at Nebyshino 1 site located in the Dokshitsky district, Vitebsk region, Belarus. The analysis archaeological materials obtained during excavations made along the mineral edge of the butte and in the peaty part of the settlement were supplemented by archaeobotanical study, analysis of the osteological materials, and radiocarbon dating of wood and bone remains from the cultural horizon. The analysis of Nebyshino 1 flint artifacts and synchronization with the dating of the osteological samples made it possible to consider the preboreal and boreal periods as the main stages in the functioning of the settlement. The flint collection of Nebyshino 1 displays similarities with the flint inventory of the Zamosh’e settlement (Verkhnedvinski district, Vitebsk region), located in the basin of the Western Dvina. The cultural attribution of the archaeological materials of Nebyshino 1 presupposes that the site is related to the Kunda culture. At present time the absolute chronology of Nebyshino 1 site can be considered within the framework of the Preboreal — Atlanticum, since the lower chronological boundary (the second half of the Alleroid — Late Dryas) requires archaeological and palynological confirmation. The upper boundary of the settlement is determined by two dates corresponding to the second half of the Atlantic period, and by the presence in the cultural horizon a small number of fragments of Early Neolithic pottery of the Narva culture.