Middle Paleolithic Site Sukhaya Mechёtka: the Renewal of Complex Investigations

Abstract

The Sukhaya Mechёtka site, located on the northern outskirts of Volgograd, has attracted the attention of Paleolithic researchers since its discovery in 1951 by geologists A.I.Koptev and M.N. Grishchenko. The materials of the site - a collection of stone products currently kept at the MAE RAS, and chronostratigraphic information – can be considered as perfect by standards of open Paleolithic complexes. To a large extent, the site acquired such a significance due to the presence of the only one perfectly preserved cultural layer, which lies in clear stratigraphic conditions. Being densely overlapped with thick deposits, the site was preserved so well that it remained unaffected by the turbulent natural processes of the last glacial-interglacial macrocycle. Single-layer sites usually have a disadvantage comparing to multi-layer complexes in terms of the importance level of the tasks solved with their help. But the Sukhaya Mechёtka favorably differs from other sites by the measure of cultural layer being studied in the field and the potential for further studies. The stone assemblage and field documentation archives created by M.Z. Panichkina and S.N. Zamyatnin show a picture of the life of Middle Paleolithic hunters settlement taken at limited time interval. It is confirmed by preliminary results of planigraphic and technological analyzes performed with use of refitting. Sukhaya Mechёtka is a practically intact echo of an individual Neanderthal community’s life, as far as it’s possible for archaeological material of this age. However, the matter of the site’s chronology, and the time period of Sukhaya Mechёtka layer formation being determined in particular, are not completely resolved. The representations of the middle of the last century based on geological observations (Mikulino) need to be verified. The C14 dating method showed obviously an inadequately young age. OSL dating results are expected to be gained in the future.