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The Middle Palaeolithic Site of Karabi Tamchin (Crimea, Ukraine): 1999–2001 Excavation Seasons

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 February 2014

A. Yevtushenko ,
A. Burke ,
C.R. Ferring ,
V. Chabai  and
K. Monigal
A. Yevtushenko
Affiliation:
Crimean Branch, Institute of Archaeology, NationalUkranian Academy of Sciences, Yaltinskaya 2, Simferopol, Ukraine
A. Burke
Affiliation:
Département d'Anthropologie, Université de Montréal, BP 6128, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, Québéc, Canada, H3C 3J7
C.R. Ferring
Affiliation:
Institute of Applied Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA
V. Chabai
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 75275, USA
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Abstract

The Middle Palaeolithic site of Karabi Tamchin is presented here for the first time. Karabi Tamchin is a collapsed rock-shelter in Eastern Crimea (Ukraine), and is the only known, stratified Palaeolithic site in the highland regions of the First Crimean mountain range. Preliminary results of three excavation seasons indicate that the site differs fundamentally from Middle Palaeolithic sites excavated at lower altitudes, in terms of both lithic and faunal exploitation. The site, therefore, provides essential information regarding regional land-use patterns in Crimea. Karabi Tamchin was probably repeatedly occupied by relatively small, mobile groups during short-term, possibly seasonal hunting forays into upland regions.

Résumé

On présente ici pour la première fois le site du paléolothique moyen de Karabi Tamchin. Karabi Tamchin est un abri sous roche effondré en Crimée orientale (Ukraine), et est le seul site paléolithique stratifié connu sur les hauteurs de la première chaîne de montagnes de Crimée. Les résultats préliminaires de 3 campagnes de fouilles indiquent que le site diffère fondamentalement des sites du paléolithique moyen excavés à des altitudes inférieures, aussi bien en termes d'exploitation lithique que faunale. Le site fournit donc des renseignements essentiels en ce qui concerne les schémas d'usage de la terre régionaux en Crimée. Karabi Tamchin a probablement été occupé à plusieurs reprises par des groupes nomades relativement petits pendant des expéditions de chasse de courte durée, peut-être saisonnières, sur les hautes terres.

Zusammenfassung

In diesem Beitrag wird der mittelpaläolithische Fundplatz von Karabi Tamchin zum ersten Mal publiziert. Bei Karabi Tamchin handelt es sich um einen zusammengestürzten Abri im Osten der östlichen Krim-Halbinsel (Ukraine); er stellt damit den einzigen bekannten stratifizierten paläolithischen Fundplatz in ersten Bergketten des Hochlands der Krim dar. Vorläufige Ergebnisse der drei Ausgrabungskampagnen zeigen, dass sich der Fundplatz in den Steingeräten und in der Ausbeutung der Fauna wesentlich von mittelpaläolithischen Fundplätzen, die man in den tiefer gelegenen Gebieten ausgegraben hat, unterscheidet. Deshalb liefert dieser Fundplatz wichtige Informationen zur regionalen Landnutzung. Karabi Tamchin wurde wahrscheinlich wiederholt in kurzen Perioden von relativ kleinen, mobilen Gruppen im Zuge von saisonalen Streifzügen in die Hochland Regionen benutzt.

Résumen

Se presenta aquí por vez primera el yacimiento del Paleolítico Medio de Karabi Tamchin. Karabi Tamchin es un abrigo colapsado en Crimea Oriental (Ucrania), y es el único yacimiento Paleolítico estratificado que se conoce en las regiones de altura de la Primera Cordillera de Crimea. Los resultados preliminares de tres temporadas de excavación indican que el yacimiento es fundamentalmente distinto de los yacimientos del Paleolítico Medio excavados a menor altura en lo que se refiere a la producción lítica y explotación de la fauna. El yacimiento aporta, por lo tanto, información esencial acerca de los modelos regionales para la utilización del terreno en Crimea. Probablemente Karabi Tamchin fue ocupado repetidamente por grupos móviles relativamente pequeños durante incursiones de caza a las zonas de altura de corta duración y posiblemente estacionales.

Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society , Volume 69 , 2003 , pp. 137 - 159
Copyright
Copyright © The Prehistoric Society 2003

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