Chronology and Periodization of Upper Paleolithic Sites in Mongolia

Chronology and Periodization of Upper Paleolithic Sites in Mongolia

S.A. Gladyshev, J.W. Olsen, A.V. Tabarev, and Y.V. Kuzmin.

Based on archaeological materials recovered from stratifi ed sites in the Khangai Mountains and the Gobi Altai regions and new radiocarbon dates for the Tolbor-4 and 15 localities, a tripartite chronological subdivision of the Mongolian Upper Paleolithic is suggested. The fi rst period is the Early Upper Paleolithic (40–26 ka BP). Sites dating to this period have been discovered both in the Khangai and the Gobi Altai regions. The second period began around 25 ka BP, but its terminal date is unknown. Sites of this period are located in the Orkhon Valley. The third period is co-terminus with the end of the Upper Paleolithic and is represented by Horizons 3 and 4 at the Tolbor-15 locality in the middle Selenge Valley.

Keywords: Upper Paleolithic, Mongolia, Central Asia, chronology, stratigraphy, blade-based lithic industry, technical
and typological analyses, reduction strategy.