Zaraysk archaeological site, Paleolithic archaeological site in Zaraysk, Russia
The Zaraysk archaeological site consists of six ancient settlements positioned on elevated areas near the Osetr River, with multiple layers of occupation preserved in the soil. Excavations have uncovered flint tools, hunting gear, bone ornaments, and small carved objects made from stone and ivory, now displayed in a local museum.
The site dates to between 23,000 and 16,000 years ago, when the Moscow region was open steppe with mammoth herds roaming the landscape. This period represents a crucial chapter in how hunter-gatherer cultures adapted to cold climates across Europe.
The site reveals how people lived in relationship with large animals, shown through ivory figurines and bone ornaments they created and kept. These objects suggest a community that used art and decoration as part of daily life, not just survival.
The best way to understand the site is through the Kremlin museum in Zaraysk, where you can see the recovered objects and learn about their significance. The location itself is accessible to visitors and offers a straightforward experience exploring the area where these ancient communities once lived.
Archaeologists uncovered a storage cache where flint tools were deliberately placed inside a mammoth tusk for safekeeping. This discovery reveals that people then understood the value of organizing and protecting their most useful equipment for future use.
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