Mesolithic and Neolithic Northern Cis-Caspian and Volga Steppe: Geometric Microliths

Introduction. The article examines segments with Helwan retouch discovered during various excavations in the Lower Volga. Those are a key marker of the Seroglazovka culture (Mesolithic — Early Neolithic) distinguished by A. Melentiev in the mid-1970s. Lack of explicit stratigraphy of the sites to have contained the artifacts and unknown absolute dates would complicate the matter of their chronological dating. Goals. The paper aims at determining coherent periods and chronologies in the development of the complexes with the segments mentioned. The work analyzes reliable sources and results of radiocarbon dating of sites with geometric microliths. Materials and Methods. The study focuses on the Mesolithic and Neolithic etalon sites of the region characterized by well preserved cultural layers, dwellings, and good stratigraphy. The sites examined include not only ones investigated in the 1980-1990s but also those explored from 2013 to 2019. This made it possible to employ the stratigraphic, planigraphic, typological, and statistical methods. The absolute dating method used is that of radiocarbon dating, including AMS techniques. Results. The study provides new insights into different development stages of Helwan retouch segments typical for the Mesolithic Northern Cis-Caspian. So, the Zhekolgan group was dated to the Early Mesolithic, while the paper proves microliths of this type had emerged in the Early Neolithic already, and the segments are basically integral to sites with ceramics. In general, the work determines a chronological framework for sites with microliths in the Northern and Northwestern Cis-Caspian, Volga steppe areas. Conclusions. The complex analysis of sites with Helwan retouch segments proves their emergence dates back to the Early Mesolithic — last quarter of the 9th millennium BC — and further develops throughout the Late Mesolithic to become dominant among geometric items in the Early Neolithic (last quarter of the 7th – early 6th millennium BC). In the Northwestern Cis-Caspian and Volga steppe, Helwan retouch segments were used until the mid-6th millennium BC.

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