Archaeology, Ethnology & Anthropology of Eurasia 38 (2) 2010

Annotation:  Human Environment in the Nakhichevan Region during the Mousterian (Based on the Gazma Cave Site, Az The Earliest Evidence of Human Occupation in Southeastern Europe: A Processed Camel Bone Fragment f Holocene Dwellings in the Russian Far East: A Functional and Planigraphic Analysis Koshkino Bone and Horn Artifacts from Mergen-6 Glass Beads from Russian Villages in the Middle Irtysh Area with Reference to the Trade Links of Ru Radiocarbon Dating of Oglakhty Grave Using a Wiggle Matching Method Plant Remains from Noin Ula Burial Mounds 20 and 31 (Northern Mongolia) Elemental Analysis of Ceramic Incrustation Indicates Long-Term Cultural Continuity in the Prehistor “Staffs with Elk Heads” in the Culture of the Ancient Population of the Eastern Urals, Northern and Objects with “Animal and Rider Imagery on the Base” in the Medieval Culture of Northern Eurasia Khar Chuluu: A New Rock Art Site in the Mongolian Altai Genealogy of the Siberian Bukharians: The Imyaminov Clan Clothing in Yakut Traditional Wedding Rituals (19th–20th Centuries) The Yzykh in the Context of Traditional Khakassian Beliefs Daurs and Barguts: Issues of Ethnic History Komi-Permyak Traditional Culture: Photographic Collection by A.F. Teploukhov on Early 20th-century U The Population History of the Korean Peninsula: Dental Evidence Growth and Development of Russian and Tatar Children and Adolescents in Naberezhnye Chelny   

The Earliest Evidence of Human Occupation in Southeastern Europe: A Processed Camel Bone Fragment from the Lower Don

M.V. Sablin and E.Yu. Girya.

A fragment of a metatarsal of an extinct camel with chop marks found in the lower horizon of the Khapry alluvium on the Lower Don is described. The analysis demonstrated that the marks were left by a single tool with a robust and sharp edge (either a chopper or a large fl ake) during the butchering of a camel carcass. The animal belonged to the species Paracamelus alutensis – a typical member of the Khapry fauna (Middle Villafranchian, 2.1–1.97 Ma BP). The context of the fi nd and the distinct traces of processing indicate an early human settlement of Eurasia.

Keywords: Chop marks, use-wear analysis, Khapry fauna, Middle Villafranchian, camels, Paracamelus alutensis.