The Crimean Palaeolithic

Two Eemian and four post-Eemian Middle Palaeolithic (MP) industrial traditions are recognised in the Crimea, namely : Late Acheulean, Eastern Taubachian, then Eastern Micoquian (Ak-Kaian), two kinds of para-Micoquian or Micoquian-related Charentoid industries (Kiik-Kobian and Staroselian), and Typical Mousterian (Kabazian). The Crimean MP undoubtedly belongs to the sphere of ideas and logic of development of the European Palaeolithic. However it survived until comparatively late (ca. 30 kyr BP) which adds originality to the process of the local MP / UP transition.