Определение сезона гибели по микроструктуре зубного цемента позднеплейстоценовых Equus Caballus из местонахождения Дивногорье 9 (Воронежская область)

Abstract

Scientists studying the dwelling sites of ancient people often face the question about the season they inhabited the sites. The method used in this study analyses growth layers in the cement and dentin of mammals’ teeth and allows specialists to accurately determine the season the animals died, which in its turn points to the season people inhabited the site. The author of this study used a method developed by Dr. Galina Klevezal and elaborated on by Dr. Ariane Burke. The author applied the method to the teeth of Late Pleistocene Equus caballus species found at Divnogorie 9 (Russia, Voronezh Region, Liski District). A late Paleolithic archaeological excavation site, Divnogorie 9 is unique for its monodominant fauna, represented almost exclusively by Equus caballus species. A total of seven bone-bearing layers have been found at Divnogorie 9; the site’s osteological collection features over 8,500 samples. There are several theories aiming to explain how so many remains of horse bones have come to be found in one place. Using the method of growth layers analysis of the dental cement of horses at Divnogorie 9 the author attempted to answer the question about the season the animals died. The osteological material used in this study was collected from the 2nd, 5th and 6th bonebearing layers and consisted of three damaged jaws and 25 permanent teeth (molars and incisors). Because the material was preserved poorly, it was possible to make only 10 good slices of teeth belonging to different species from different bone-bearing layers. The analysis of the 10 samples showed that the animals died during the same season – spring/early summer, which provides circumstantial evidence to back up the theory suggesting that the species died concurrently.

Представлены результаты изучения сезона гибели домашних лошадей в древнем поселении Дивногорье 9 (Воронежская область).