Faunal Remains from the Early Complexes of the Sagan-Zaba II Multilayered Habitation Site (9120–7880 cal BP) in the Cis-Baikal: Planigraphy, Subsistence Patterns, and Seasonality
Faunal Remains from the Early Complexes of the Sagan-Zaba II Multilayered Habitation Site (9120–7880 cal BP) in the Cis-Baikal: Planigraphy, Subsistence Patterns, and Seasonality
Faunal Remains from the Early Complexes of the Sagan-Zaba II Multilayered Habitation Site (9120–7880 cal BP) in the Cis-Baikal: Planigraphy, Subsistence Patterns, and Seasonality
DOI: 10.17746/1563-0110.2016.44.3.037-046
T.Y. Nomokonova1, O.I. Goriunova2, R.J. Losey3, A.G. Novikov2, and A.W. Weber3, 4 1University of British Columbia, 1147 Research Road, V1V 1V7, Kelowna, Okanagan, BC, Canada 2Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pr. Akademika Lavrentieva 17, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia Irkutsk State University, K. Marksa 1, Irkutsk, 664003, Russia 3University of Alberta, 13-15 HM Tory Building, T6G 2H4, Edmonton, AB, Canada 4Aix-Marseille University, 5 rue du Chateau de l’Horloge – B.P. 647, 13094 Aix-en-Provence Cedex 2, France
This article is the fi rst publication to analyze faunal remains from early complexes (layers VII and VI) at the multilayered settlement of Sagan-Zaba II, situated on the western shore of Lake Baikal. We discuss species composition of fauna from the site, as well as associated radiocarbon dates, age and sex determinations, spatial distribution, and their overall selection as it relates to site seasonality. We address the previously described potential offset between uncalibrated dates from remains of ungulates and Baikal seals at the site, relating to the problem of “old” carbon in Lake Baikal. For layer VII, this offset is 682 years on average, and for layer VI it is 509 years. Taking the offset from Baikal seal bones into account, layers VII and VI now appear to date to the period between 9120 and 7880 cal BP. An analysis of faunal materials from the early complexes of Sagan-Zaba II indicates that inhabitants of this site hunted Baikal seals, ungulates, and other mammals, as well as birds and fi sh, demonstrating a wide use of natural resources. Most likely, sites feature d short-term, seasonal occupations, as indicated by the distribution of hearths and other materials, the thickness of hearth-features, and the absence of specialized production areas. The results of an analysis of dentine layers from thin-sections of Baikal seal teeth, and also the presence of bones from fauna that are only available du ring the warm months of the year in the Cis-Baikal region, are consistent with a model of spring and summer site use.
