New findings on the middle paleolithic of the eastern adriatic: The earliest settlement at Bioče, Montenegro

Excavations of undisturbed Pleistocene deposits at the Bioèe rock shelter layers 4 and 3 by the joint Russian- Montenegrin expedition yielded the fi rst evidence of Middle Paleolithic occupation. Primary reduction techniques are described, and a typology of the lithic industry is proposed. The techniques were quite simple, including parallel, multidirectional, and centripetal fl aking suggestive of the Levallois tradition. Flakes were mostly small, short, and robust, with a straight profi le. Most tools are single or double side-scrapers. Atypical end-scrapers, spurred and notcheddenticulate tools, and fl akes with irregular retouch are few. The closest technological and typological parallels are with Crvena Stijena layers XXII-XVIII, correlating with MIS 5c-b. This industry is based on Levallois and radial/discoid cores; elongated blanks are few. The most frequent tools are side-scrapers and backed knives. Finds from Bioèe span a long period of occupation and testify to cultural evolution, suggesting, for the fi rst time, that this site may be a key to understanding the cultural processes taking place during the Middle Paleolithic of the region.