The Neolithic site of Luzhki II in the forest-steppe Volga region (first results of the studies)

Abstract

The paper deals with the materials of Luzhki II site, which is located in the stepping Volga region on the left side of the Sok River. This memorial was found in 2019. The excavation area of 96 meters was made in 2020. The common collection of artifacts includes 2394 things. The founded materials are from the Neolithic except small group of ceramics (21 fragments) of early middle centuries. The collection of stone inventory includes 568 things. 81 items are implements, they take up about 14,2% of all stone. 1359 things of ceramics were found. The thickness of fragments is from 0,5 to 1,2 sm. Almost all founded rims have a dimple-pearl belt under the cut, which was applied exclusively from the outside. There are four typological groups (without ornament, pinned, comb and ceramics with impression), which show stages of ornament tradition development in the region. A collection of animal bones has been collected, including 412 units. 12 bones have traces of processing or were used as tools. 5 small clay vessels were found in a cultural layer. Two sinkers and one shaft straightener for arrows were found too. According to the available radiocarbon definitions for similar complexes of the forest-steppe Volga region the discovered site could be second half VI middle V thousands BC. The assemblage of pottery from the site reveals the closest analogies in materials from the sites of the developed and late Neolithic of the forest-steppe Volga region, attributed to the Srednevolzhskaya culture.