The results of the study of vertebrate fauna from the Late Neolithic site Pomazkino IV (the Kolyma River, Yakutia, Eastern Siberia)

Abstract

The taxonomic composition of bone remains from the Neolithic site Pomazkino IV, located in the middle reaches of the Kolyma River, has been determined. The material is the result of excavations by archaeologist V.A. Kashin. We have identified bone remains lying together with artifacts of the Late Neolithic Ymyyakhtakh culture. The species composition is represented by typical representatives of the East Siberian fauna. The osteological material of fish, birds and mammals has been determined. It has been established that most of the bone remains belong to birds, among which representatives of the order Anseriformes, swan, bean goose and geese of indeterminate species were reliably identified. These birds could be caught in the summer during molting. Birds played an important role in the nutrition of the people who lived on the territory of this site. The main game mammals were artiodactyl elk and reindeer. At the Pomazkino IV site, there are also numerous bone remains of a mountain hare. Among the representatives of the order of carnivores, a single bone of a wolverine has been identified. An abundance of fish bones has been found, among which crucian carp has been identified. Apparently, on the territory of the Middle Kolyma, as well as in other regions of Eastern Siberia, active fishing began only from the Late Neolithic.