@article{633f8d9d9ce440149745f6faa3c8ed41,
title = "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)",
abstract = "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.",
keywords = "Ar/Ar dating, Initial Upper Paleolithic, Mica, Mongolia, Muscovite, Non-utilitarian object, Ar-40/Ar-39 dating, CEMETERY, MIDDLE",
author = "Khatsenovich, {Arina M.} and Shelepaev, {Roman A.} and Rybin, {Evgeny P.} and Shelepov, {Yaroslav Yu} and Marchenko, {Daria V.} and Davakhuu Odsuren and Byambaa Gunchinsuren and Olsen, {John W.}",
note = "Funding Information: Archaeological and analytical studies were supported by the Russian Scientific Foundation , project number 19-78-10112 , “Human adaptation in arid and high-altitude regions of eastern Central Asia in the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene” Geochemical analysis was undertaken under the auspices of the Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences in Novosibirsk. The Je Tsongkhapa Endowment for Central and Inner Asian Archaeology at the University of Arizona funded our 2015 fieldwork. Funding Information: We are grateful to Sergei Gladyshev, Tsedendorj Bolorbat, Maria Shapovalova, Anton Anoikin and Galina Pavlenok for their assistance in the field, and Lidia Zotkina for her microwear analysis and photograph of the mica specimen. We are indebted to two anonymous reviewers and the editor, who helped us greatly improve our manuscript. Archaeological and analytical studies were supported by the Russian Scientific Foundation, project number 19-78-10112, ?Human adaptation in arid and high-altitude regions of eastern Central Asia in the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene? Geochemical analysis was undertaken under the auspices of the Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences in Novosibirsk. The Je Tsongkhapa Endowment for Central and Inner Asian Archaeology at the University of Arizona funded our 2015 fieldwork. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2020 Elsevier Ltd",
year = "2020",
month = jun,
doi = "10.1016/j.jasrep.2020.102307",
language = "English",
volume = "31",
journal = "Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports",
issn = "2352-409X",
publisher = "Elsevier Ltd",
}