Long distance transport and use of mica in the Initial Upper Paleolithic of Central Asia: An example from the Kharganyn Gol 5 site (northern Mongolia)

• Published in: Journal of archaeological science, reports reports, 2020-06, Vol.31, p.102307, Article 102307
• Main Authors: Khatsenovich, Arina M., Shelepaev, Roman A., Rybin, Evgeny P., Shelepov, Yaroslav Yu, Marchenko, Daria V., Odsuren, Davakhuu, Gunchinsuren, Byambaa, Olsen, John W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 40Ar/39Ar dating; Initial Upper Paleolithic; Mica; Mongolia; Muscovite; Non-utilitarian object
• ISSN: 2352-409X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2020.102307

•The first evidence of ornament-making at the territory of modern Mongolia dated to Initial Upper Paleolithic.•Drilling was the most common technique of ornament-making in Initial Upper Paleolithic.•The first evidence of mica usage is dated to 38,000 years ago.•People could transport “exotic” raw material in 500 km at least. Little is known about the acquisition and transport of rare or “exotic” raw materials in the Initial Upper Paleolithic (IUP). A recently discovered perforated muscovite (mica) flakelet at the Kharganyn Gol 5 site in the middle Selenga Basin of Mongolia raises the question of how far ancient humans ranged to access this material. Here, we present the initial results of an ongoing study, including dating by 40Ar/39Ar and identification of the muscovite source. The age of the Mongolian muscovite correlates with the Oktyabr’skaya outcrop in the Russian Transbaikal region, >500 km from the site. The Buteeliin Nuruu Mountains, near the Kharganyn Gol 5 site, are geologically similar and potentially contain as-yet unknown muscovite outcrops. This evidence suggests that Initial Upper Paleolithic populations had developed social networks or moved over long distances, using the Upper Paleolithic Selenga Corridor in both cases. Alternatively, the area’s Pleistocene occupants may have known the geological resources of their home range better than we do now.