The Denticulate Mousterian as a Supposedly Distinct Facies in Western Central Asia

The Denticulate Mousterian as a Supposedly Distinct Facies in Western Central Asia

K.A. Kolobova, A.I. Krivoshapkin, K.K. Pavlenok, D. Flas, A.P. Derevianko, and U.I Islamov.

The Middle Paleolithic industry of Kulbulak – a key stratifi ed site in Uzbekistan – has been described as the Denticulate Mousterian. Our fi ndings suggest that this defi nition is problematic because the principal diagnostic feature of this facies – the denticulate outline of tools – has resulted from natural processes. Accordingly, in our view, no such facies exists either at Kulbulak or in Western Central Asia at large.

Keywords: Middle Paleolithic, Denticulate Mousterian, taphonomic retouch, Western Central Asia.