M.G. Zhilin

Adaptation of the Upper Volga Mesolithic cultures to lithic raw material.

Summary

Lithic material, suitable for making tools, was one of main natural resources for Mesolithic population. On Upper Volga flint was mainly used for toolmaking in Mesolithic. This raw material is abundant at the weatern part of the region and scarce at its eastern part. Three Mesolithic cultures are singled out on Upper Volga - Ienevo, Butovo and Resseta cultures. Two first are spread at various districts, rich and poor in flint raw material.

Technology of flintworking of the first culture was aimed at producing irregular blades and flakes, which were transformed into tools with the help of heavy secondary trimming. Quality of flint was not important, no serios changes, affected by raw material, are observed at homogenous sites of Ienevo culture. Technology of early sites of Butovo culture was aimed at production of regular blades, which served as tools with minor secondary treatment. Pressure technique of producing regular blades and microblades is observed, microblades served as inserts of bone arrowheads. Such technology demanded flint of good quality. When it was not available in the neighbourhood of the site, it was either transported at a distance up to 200 km, or local raw material was used, which led to serious changes of lithic industry. By early Boreal a dinamic system of the most productive utilization of available raw material was worked out by population of Butovo culture. Sites of Resseta culture are situated at places, abundant in good flint, so no adaptation is observed there.

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