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A Fluted Point from the Uptar Site, Northeastern Siberia
1M. L. King, Department of Anthropology, University of Washington, and Desert Research Institute, Quaternary Sciences Center, Post Office Box 19040, Las Vegas, NV 89132, USA. S. B. Slobodin, Department of Education, Apartment 19, 14 Dzerzhinsky Street, Magadan, 68500 Russia.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|August 2, 1996
Summary
Early Holocene bifacial points found in Siberia challenge traditional views of the Paleoindian tradition. This discovery reveals greater archaeological diversity in northeastern Siberia than previously understood.
Area of Science:
- Archaeology
- Paleolithic Studies
- Siberian Prehistory
Background:
- The Paleoindian tradition is well-known for its distinctive bifacial point technology.
- Traditional models suggest a primarily American distribution for Paleoindian technology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze bifacial points found at the Uptar site in northeastern Siberia.
- To assess the relationship between Siberian lithic technology and the Paleoindian tradition.
- To evaluate the diversity of the Siberian archaeological record.
Main Methods:
- Excavation and collection of lithic artifacts from the Uptar site.
- Typological analysis of lanceolate bifacial points, including a fluted specimen.
- Stratigraphic dating of artifacts beneath early Holocene tephra.
Main Results:
- Discovery of lanceolate bifacial points, including a fluted specimen, beneath early Holocene tephra at the Uptar site.
- The technology shows similarities to, but does not directly match, Paleoindian traditions.
- The collection presents unique characteristics distinct from other Beringian complexes.
Conclusions:
- Paleoindian-like technology was not exclusively confined to the Americas.
- The Uptar site collection indicates greater archaeological diversity in northeastern Siberia than previously assumed.
- Existing models of human colonization may need revision to account for this Siberian evidence.