Palaeolithic site of Novyi Tik: stratigraphic and palaeogeographic aspects

Abstract

The Novyi Tik loess-palaeosol sequence is characterized by a detailed stratification due to both its location on the slope of the valleys of Berestova and Styr rivers, as well as excavation of buried gullies, which serve as sediment traps. Nineteen basic stratigraphic units have been allocated in the section, grouped into 7 main units (4 loesses and 3 pedocomplexes). In 2018, a flint artefact was found in the upper pedocomplex (Pedocomplex I), which was interpreted as a Levallois bilateral-alternative sub-rectangular core nucleus. The precise stratigraphic position of the artefact and the comprehensive study of the loess-palaeosol sequence by the methods of Earth sciences (lithological and stratigraphical, palaeopedological (including micromorphological), geochemical and palynological) enable not only to establish chronostratigraphic position of the tool, but also to reconstruct the habitat of ancient humans. The Levallois core nucleus was found in the BCs horizon of the Podzol (subunit 10c). The Pedocomplex I was tentatively correlated with the Horohiv soil complex of the regional stratigraphic scheme of Western Ukraine, with the Pryluky-Kaydaky pedocomplex of the Quaternary stratigraphic framework of Ukraine and with MIS 5. The soil, which contained the artefact, probably corresponds to the lower Kolodiiv soil (Kolodiiv-3). The tentative age of the core nucleus is the end of the MIS 5d or the beginning of the MIS 5c. Thus, the studied section is currently the oldest stratified Palaeolithic site of the Volyn’ Upland. This site could be the key to exploring the Middle Palaeolithic of the region. A split Mammuthus primigenius bone found at the bottom of Bug loess (MIS 2) enhances the site’s importance.