TRANSITIONAL MIDDLE TO UPPER PALEOLITHIC INDUSTRIES IN THE RUBAS VALLEY, COASTAL DAGESTAN

The stratigraphy of the Rubas-1 Paleolithic site in coastal Dagestan is described, and the results of a detailed technical and typological analysis of lithics from the upper horizons, excavated from five test pits in 2006-2007, are outlined. The resource base is assessed. The results suggest that the assemblage dates to the period transitional between the Middle and the Upper Paleolithic. Industries of the Dagestan coast are compared with those of the Caucasus and the Russian Plain.