The human cultures in South-Eastern Caspian region in final Pleistocene – Holocene period

Abstract

The southeastern Caspian region was an important migration route that connected ancient cultures between the Middle East and Central Asia. Currently, the only stratified sites known in the region are Dam-Dam-Cheshme 1, Dam-Dam-Cheshme 2, and Djebel in the Bolshoi Balkhan Region; and Kuba-Sengir and Kaylu on the Krasnovodsk Peninsula. In this article we review the archaeological materials from the Kaylu and Kuba-Sengir sites, which include prismatic and pressure bladelet industries respectively, faunal remains, and two distinct sets of shell bead industries. In addition two human burials were also previously discovered next to the entrance of Kaylu cave. During an excursion to the Krasnovodsk Peninsula in 2018, the geographic position of these sites was confirmed and materials discoverd on the surface during a survey of both sites were described. These preliminary data supports the idea that the Kuba-Sengir and Kaylu sites are asynchronous and share features with the southern, western and eastern Caspian sites which future research can use to further recreate the ancient population and cultural history of the greater Caspian region.