Characterizing the Early Upper Paleolithic bone industry from Sungir

The open-air Upper Paleolithic site Sungir is located near Vladimir, in the basin of Klyazma river, Russia. It was discovered in the 1956. Later excavations were conducted almost annually. The expedition under the leadership of O. Bader, N. Bader and L.A. Mihailova discovered over 4000 square meters of the site area for 24 field seasons (1957-2004). The majority of radiocarbon dates is ranged from 29,000 to 26,000 BP (34,000–30,000 BP cal.).

Stone industry is characterized by an original stone assemblage with specific triangle points. Analogous industry is discovered at the sites of Streletskian culture at the Middle Done.

Moreover on the Sungir site were opened two burials with remains of four people with a very rich collection of accompanying inventory.

Fauna consist of large amount of reindeer, mammoth, horse and polar fox.

According to distribution of the material O. Bader reconstructed the Sungir as a seasonal camp that was visited traditionally for many years by the same group of hunters.

Many researchers attribute Sungir to Streletskian culture, and some scientists note in its material Aurignacian and Szeletian features.

As a part of this work a general analysis of bone findings from Sungir was carried out, including technical and typological characteristics (except objects from burials). Analysis was conducted of the 171 objects, of which 94 are bone objects, 28 — antler, 49 — ivory.