Mesolithic Monuments of the Western Kazakhstan

Abstract

The article investigates Mesolithic monuments in Western Kazakhstan. A mesolithic monument Ustyurt is represented by the monuments of Aydabolskaya group: Aydabol 6-7, 9-12, 14-16, 20-23, 25; Aktaylak 1 (layer 1), Aktobe 2, Tchuruk 2 (layers 1 and 2), Tchuruk 3 (layer 2), etc. The Mangystau Region is known for its Kyzylsu 1 and Shahbagatta 2 sites. Stone tools of the sites listed above are featured by a plate technique and such items as end scrapers, draw knives, asymmetrical and less symmetrical trapezoids, mini tool bits, tool bits, end-beveled barbs and plates with a straight truncated end. Items listed above are similar to those found in the sites of the Eastern Caspian Sea region and Southern Ural - the materials of Bilshoy Bugodak 4, Surtanda 6, Murat and Mys Bezymyanny. The similarity consists in vicinity of the trapezoids, ratio of plates and microplates with a blunt edge and end scrapers. Mesolithic of Volga and Ural interfluve of Western Kazakhstan is presented by such sites as Sar-Aydin 1-3, Mindali 1, 3, etc. They are located in the neighboring regions of Kamysh-Samar lakes. Lithic industry is platy. Stone tools include end scrapers, angular tool bits, incised drawknives, plates with beveled and straight truncated end. Among geometric figures a series of segments with unilateral and bilateral retouch is the most expressive. Less common are symmetrical trapezoid, including the “cornute” as well as parallelograms. The above materials demonstrate the cultural unity with Seroglazovka culture of the Northern Caspian. Summing up, it can be noted that in the West Kazakhstan region there are two Mesolithic sites. The first is located in the Ustyur which is culturally close to the Mesolithic Eastern Caspian and Southern Ural, and the second - in the neighboring Kamysh-Samar lakes which demonstrates the cultural unity with the Mesolithic Northern Caspian.