MIS 11-locality of Medzhibozh, Ukraine: Archaeological and paleozoological evidence

The Lower Paleolithic localities near the town of Medzhibozh in the Khmelnitsky region of western Ukraine represent a group of multilayered sites near the Southern Bug River. Medzhibozh 1 locality is the focus of the presented report. The age of its main assemblage is defined at the beginning of the Zavadovka episode, MIS 11, while the underlying sediments are likely dated to Lubny time, MIS 13–15. Both assemblages contain lithic artefacts. The more recent is accompanied with rich fauna remains and presumable traces of hearths.The list of large mammalian fauna from Medzhibozh 1 (NISP = 450) revealed the presence of few carnivores (Ursus deningeri and Ursus thibetanus) and the dominance of cervids (Cervus elaphus, Dama dama clactoniana and Capreolus suessenbornensis) associated with Sus scrofa, Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis and Castor fiber. This provides evidence for a temperate climate as well confirms the biochronological attribution, as the fauna correspond to those typically associated to middle Pleistocene interglacial periods. It also fits well with the humid and forest environment described from the microfauna and shell analysis.From an archaeological point of view, assemblages of Medzhibozh 1 could be adequately defined as belonging to the industries of technological Mode 1 (Oldowan). The material cultural horizons, despite the relatively late age (about 0.4–0.5 Ma), are characterized by the predominance of choppers, chopping tools, and isolated retouched flakes, as well as few knapped flakes, and broken and fragmented pieces of various raw materials showing minimum secondary working. Available inventories contain no good instances of core knapping, as well as almost no morphologically stable shaping of flake tools and no signs of bifacial technology. Long bones of deer are characterized by systematic intentional breakage with percussion cones and cut-marks. Complementary species like rhinoceros, wild boar, or bears are represented by incomplete skeletons. Rhinoceros and bear bones showed evidence of long and deep cut-marks. Carnivore activity is rare. Burnt bones are well documented and are associated with charcoals and heated sediments. The Medzhibozh studies are directly relevant to the study and reconstruction of ancient migration paths on the territory of North-Western Eurasia, in its East European segment.