Pages:  185-210 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.55086/sp261185210

The article presents the results of a complex interdisciplinary study of the Late Mesolithic cultural layer of the Zamil-Koba 3 — the only “pure” single-layer Final Mesolithic site in the Mountainous Crimea. New geomorphological, palynological, paleozoological, paleobotanical and malacological data, as well as radiocarbon dates on organic samples from hearths, were obtained as a result of the archaeological study of the site. The characteristics of the cultural layer and archaeological inventory testify that the Mesolithic layer of Zamil-Koba 3 represents the remains of a short-term hunting camp. The butchery of prey and primary processing of hides, the manufacture and repair of hunting weapons were carried out at the site, as is indicated by both the composition of the tool set and use-wear traces. A comparison of the available reliable dates from the Late Mesolithic — Early Neolithic sites of the Mountainous Crimea makes it possible to date the transition from the Mesolithic to the Neolithic in the Mountainous Crimea to the beginning of the VI millennium BC. The materials of Zamil-Koba 3 shed an important light on the chronology of the earliest stages of this process.

Keywords: Zamil-Koba 3, Alimovsky rockshelter, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Murzakkoba culture, arrowheads

Information about authors:

Mikhail Zhilin (Moscow, Russian Federation). Doctor of Historical Sciences. Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dmitry Ulyanov St., 19, Moscow, 117292, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0002-3891-2959

Marianna Kulkova (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences. Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia. Moyka River Emb., 48/12, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0001-9946-8751

Aleksandr Kulkov (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Center of X-ray diffraction studies at the Research park of St. Petersburg State University. Dekabristov Lane, 16, Saint Petersburg, 199155, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0002-2001-2231

Anton Simonenko (Moscow, Russian Federation). State Historical Museum. Red Square, 1, Moscow, 109012, Russian Federation; Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dmitry Ulyanov St., 19, Moscow, 117292, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0001-8194-9127

Vladimir Ruev (Simferopol, Crimea). Candidate of Historical Sciences. V. I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University, Tauric Academy. Academician Vernadsky Ave., 4, Simferopol, 295007, Crimea
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0001-5394-6973