North-Eastern Caucasus in the Bakunian Stage (Middle Pleistocene): Paleogeographic Conditions and Archaeological Industries

Abstract

Purpose. Complete review of current status of research in paleogeographic settings and evolution of the archaeological industries in the North-Eastern Caucasus during the Bakunian stage of the Caspian Sea Quaternary history.Results. The Bakunian stage is recognized to be a part of the Middle Pleistocene in the Quaternary chronostratigraphy of the Caspian Sea region and dated 0.8–0.4 Ma. In the early stages of the Bakunian major transformation in the composition of landscapes and animal communities occurred, being associated with general cooling resulting an increase in natural land zoning. Further progressive climate change towards cooling led to the disappearance of a large number of thermophilic species from the fauna and flora. This time in the North-Eastern Caucasus corresponds to the Tiraspol faunistic complex, and in the later stages a complex of cave predator fauna (cave lion, cave hyena, etc.) emerges in the region. Archaeological industries of that time (Darvagchay-1, Darvagchay-Zaliv-4, etc.) demonstrates the eradication of the small-tool tradition and the reorientation of stone tool processing towards systemic knapping. More diverse usage of raw materials is identified in the archaeological record. In primary technology, these assemblages are characterized by parallel unifacial knapping and the presence of the few radial/discoid cores. Tool kits include bifaces and choppers, with predominance of single-edged side-scrapers on flakes and pebbles, and denticulate, notched and spikelike tools. There are practically no pointes. Through time a significant percentage of the small-tool component remains, but its contribution gradually decreases. These industries should be considered as a local type in the stone tool production evolution, which is in the general Caucasian trend of the spread of Early Paleolithic industries with bifaces.Conclusion. The Early Paleolithic of Dagestan from the first half of the Middle Pleistocene is identified as a local variant of the final Early Paleolithic industries of the Caucasus, bringing together the Early Paleolithic small-tool industry with the Acheulian complexes of the western part of Eurasia and combining their individual elements.