Results of Field Archaeological Studies at the Komudvany Terminal Paleolithic Site in 2021

The authors present the results of 2021 field archaeological research carried out in at the Komudwanу Terminal Paleolithic site located in the estuarine part of the Manya river (Oktyabrsky District of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug). The research was directed to study the geomorphological and geological features in the vicinity of the site, to specify the stratigraphic position of the cultural layers and to get new archaeological materials. The terrace and cape sections of the site as well as the adjacent areas were examined, surface finds were searched, several excavation trenches and a test pit were established (total area 10 m2). High water level in the river Manya did not allow explorations of the floodplain area of the site. The detailed stratigraphy description of the terrace and cape sections has been made, which testify to simultaneity of the uncovered archaeological materials; the geomorphological and geological features of the site area and the estuarine part of the Manya river has been clarified; the derived data testify the presence of humans 15-14 cal kyr BP. In the excavation trench on the terrace-like area, the upper bone-bearing level (layer 4) was excavated over the area of 8 sq. m, the medial bone-bearing level (layer 5) was discovered for the first time; 29 bones, of which all definable bones were those of mammoth, and 10 lithic artifacts were found in the upper bone-bearing level. Stone assemblage includes a spall with utilization retouch, flakes, shatters and a chip. Komudvany is the northernmost Terminal Paleolithic site on the West Siberian Plain.