Kostyonki–Borshchyovo archaeological complex, Paleolithic archaeological complex in Khokholsky District, Russia.
Kostyonki-Borshchyovo spreads across the banks of the Don River and contains remains from more than 60 different Paleolithic settlements. The sites display dwelling structures built from mammoth bones, scattered across a large area that archaeologists continue to study.
Scientific study began in 1879 and revealed dwellings built from mammoth bones dating between 45,000 and 15,000 years ago. These findings demonstrate one of Europe's oldest known human settlements, proving that people inhabited this region far earlier than previously believed.
The objects found here—tools, ornaments, and small carved figures—reveal how people lived and expressed themselves thousands of years ago. These items show both practical skills and artistic creativity in daily life during the earliest human settlement in this region.
The museum stands directly above an ancient dwelling site, allowing visitors to view original archaeological layers on location. Exploring the various excavation sites requires time since they are spread across a large area.
The precise dating of these settlements contradicts earlier assumptions and shows that modern humans lived here before spreading to other parts of Europe. This makes the site one of the earliest known records of human presence on the continent.
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