Late Middle and Early Upper Paleolithic evidence from the East European Plain and Caucasus: A new look at variability, interactions, and transitions

This paper presents analyses of Late Middle Paleolithic (LMP) and Early Upp er Paleolithic (EUP) material from the East European Plain and Caucasus. La te Middle Paleolothic industries show a highly variable pattern, although t hey are formally ascribed to a limited number of technocomplexes. Many of t he LMP industries, especially in the Crimea, survived to the time of the tr ansition to the Upper Paleolithic, but data suggesting a local origin of EU P are extremely rare. The transition is generally dated between 32/30,000 a nd 26/24,000 years, while the most crucial changes coincide with the Stillf ried B interstadial. Aurignacian (two variants), Gravettian, and "Transiton al" industries are recognized in the EUP. The presence of Middle Paleolithi c traits in the Aurignacian may indicate acculturation, while the Transitio nal industries might reflect either acculturation or independent local deve lopment of new technologies, raising the possibility of local transformatio n of some Middle Paleolithic into non-Aurignacian EUP industries.