A New Neolithic Site in the Nothern Caspian Region

Abstract

Tuskuduk site’s materials from the North Caspian Sea region are published in an article. A goal of this work is characteristics of material culture’s remains, which were found as a result of excavation of 2022 year. The tasks of research include: description of the site, ceramics and stone inventory, their cultural attribution and determination of the place within the Neolithic of this region. During the research of the site, spatial, typological, statistical, archeozoological and radiocarbon methods were used. The nature of the cultural layer distribution was determined on the results of spatial analysis. The typological analysis made it possible to identify the features typical in ceramics and stone artifacts, to establish their characteristics in comparison with other complexes within the area of the interest. The archeozoological method contributed to the determination of the species composition of animals. Radiocarbon analysis specified the absolute age of the site. Based on the analysis of materials from the Taskuduk site, the presence of a preserved cultural layer was established. Ceramic and stone inventory belong to the Tenteksor cultural type of the Late Neolithic period. The specificity of the design of the upper parts of the vessels is revealed. Polished and drilled items were identified among the stone tools. Animal bones belong to wild species. The complex dates to 6700–6500 BP on radiocarbon determinations.