Recent work on the Paleolithic of Central Asia

Abstract

Central Asia has played an important role in Paleolithic archeology since the discovery of Teshik-Tash in 1938. Since the 1970s, attention has turned to Lower Paleolithic studies following the important discoveries at Kul'dara and other deeply stratified loess sites in southern Tajikistan. The sites, dated to as early as 800,000 years ago, are not the earliest evidence of hominids in Asia, but they do reflect early adaptations to arid mid-latitude environments. The stone-tool industries from these early sites are composed of pebble and flake implements; they do not include bifaces. Along with the archeological material in the loess is an impressive paleoenvironmental record with good chronological control. In other parts of Central Asia, there are reported elements of the Acheulean technocomplex at sites such as Sel'ungur and Yangadazha, but that claim cannot be substantiated. In the Upper Pleistocene, important research questions include the extent and meaning of Middle Paleolithic variability, the relation of Middle to Upper Paleolithic cultures, and the effect of glacial or interglacial climatic oscillations on Paleolithic settlement and adaptation.