Lower Palaeolithic Site Kamianka in Eastern Ukraine: Geoarchaeological Assessments

Abstract

The paper presents an initial attempt to assess ancient findings in Eastern Ukraine through a synthesis of archaeological and geomorphological data. It focuses on a newly discovered Lower Palaeolithic site on a valley slope of a right-bank tributary of the Seversky Donets River, cutting into the Jarkiv stage terrace (Pliocene) of the Ukrainian stratigraphic scale. Flint, quartzite, quartz flakes, and modified pebbles were found in the clastic material from the upper cover layer. The artefacts date from 2.6 to 0.6 Ma, corresponding to the interval between the boundary separating Bogdanivka and Beregove stages (i.e., Reuverian and Tiglian, respectively) and the Lubny (Cromerian) stage. A new terrace analysis method identified the lower boundary near the Pliocene-Quaternary transition, with the upper boundary based on regional archaeological analogies. Deflationary processes prevent further narrowing of the timeframe. Taphonomic evidence indicates prolonged exposure in aquatic and wetland environments before surface deposition. The collection includes hammerstones, choppers, scrapers, and retouched flakes, predominantly shaped using the bipolar-on-anvil technique with some free-hand flaking. Technological and typological features classify the assemblage as an archaic Mode I core-and-flake industry. Geological–geomorphological age assessments confirm these findings, refining correlations between archaeological industries and palaeogeographic stages.