Palaeogeography and archaeology of the sites of Neolithic-early Metal age in the outfall of Okhta River (Saint-Petersburg).
Abstract
The unique archaeologial site of Neolithic-Early Metal Age, Okhta-1, was excavated at the mouth of the Okhta River, located in the St. Petersburg city. The past environment of the ancient settlements was reconstructed by the means of investigations of the cultural layer deposits by the complex of research methods: archaeological, litho-logical, mineralogy-geochemical methods, palynological, diatom analysis and radiocarbon dating. The obtained data allowed us to connect the dynamics of cultural development with changes of the region's palaeogeography. The first people began to occupy the coast of shallow sea bay after the Littorina transgression, about 4070 BC The carries of Pit and Pit-Comb cultural tradition of the Late Neolithic primary used the region as an area for hunting and fishing, which prevailed in their economic activities. After a short break related to the deterioration of environmental conditions around 3500 years BC, the next phase of occupation of the coastal zone began at about 3200-3000 BC. By this time the warm and humid climatic conditions have been set on the coast. the settlements in the residential and business areas and the burials of the Late Neolithic-Chalcolithic have appeared. Various types of ceramics were spread among the material culture: asbestos, ceramics doped with down and feathers, pottery with fireclay. These data are so far the first comprehensive study on the territory of Okhta-1 monument.
About the Authors
D. D. KuznetsovRussian Federation
M. A. Kulkova
Russian Federation
T. V. Sapelko
Russian Federation
A. V. Ludikova
Russian Federation
D. A. Subetto
Russian Federation
F. M. Nesterov
Russian Federation
T. V. Gusentsova
Russian Federation
P. F. Sorokin
Russian Federation
P. F. Sorokin
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Review
For citations:
Kuznetsov D.D., Kulkova M.A., Sapelko T.V., Ludikova A.V., Subetto D.A., Nesterov F.M., Gusentsova T.V., Sorokin P.F., Sorokin P.F. Palaeogeography and archaeology of the sites of Neolithic-early Metal age in the outfall of Okhta River (Saint-Petersburg). Proceedings of the Russian Geographical Society. 2010;142(6):13-31.
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