Complex of Stone Tools of the Chalcolithic Igim Settlement

Abstract

The article presents the results of a typological and a functional study of stone objects collection part (408 items) originating from trench 2 on a multi-layered Igim site situated in the Lower Kama reservoir zone at the confluence of the Ik and Kama rivers (Russian Federation, Republic of Tatarstan). The site was inhabited for three periods -during the Neolithic, the Eneolithic and the Late Bronze Age. In the course of research conducted by P.N. Starostin and R.S. Gabyashev, stone artifacts were discovered, probably related to the Eneolithic era. After their traceological research, it was possible to identify a number of stone tools categories by their functional purpose. The obtained data helped to identify the main tool complexes: woodworking one and the complex for the cutting and the processing of hunting production. On the territory of the studied dwelling, not only the cutting of the carcasses was carried out, but also the further hide-processing. At the same time, there are no such categories of tools as drills and axes. Also the inventory has a knife for grass cutting and a knife for cutting cereals; their presence, perhaps, indicates the appearance of the plant cultivation elements by the inhabitants. The obtained data will be supplemented in the course of further study of other items from the collection of the Igim settlement.