New Palaeolithic sites from the Northern region of the Aral Sea: preliminary results


Rakhimzhanova S. Osipova E. Aminova R. Kurmaniyazov Y.
30 June 2025Margulan Institute of Archaeology

Kazakhstan Archeology
2025#28Issue 2181 - 197 pp.

The article presents new data on Paleolithic sites in the Northern Aral Sea region, the majority of which were discovered during the 2024 survey campaign. Analysis of the archaeological collections reveals a high degree of uniformity in raw material procurement strategies, techno-morphological features, and typological composition. Technologically, the industries are characterized by the use of centripetal and orthogonal flaking techniques, as well as the Levallois method, aimed at producing short and broad flakes. The typological spectrum is dominated by endscrapers, denticulated tools, notched implements, and bifacially worked tools. The abundant presence of lithic debitage in close proximity to raw material outcrops suggests that these sites functioned as workshop-camps. The identified features indicate a high level of adaptation to locally available raw materials and reflect the technological skills typical of early Paleolithic populations in Kazakhstan.

Aral Sea , Levallois debitage , lithic industry , Northern Aral Sea region , Palaeolithic , techno-typological analysis

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Margulan Institute of Archaeology, Astana, Kazakhstan
European Centre of Prehistoric Research, Tautavel, France
Kyzylorda University named after Korkyt Ata, Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan

Margulan Institute of Archaeology
European Centre of Prehistoric Research
Kyzylorda University named after Korkyt Ata

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