Khayrgas Cave - Layer 5 (1998–1999 pit)
Basic information
Sample name: Khayrgas Cave - Layer 5 (1998–1999 pit)
Reference: Y. V. Kuzmin, P. A. Kosintsev, A. D. Stepanov, G. G. Boeskorov, and R. J. Cruz. 2017. Chronology and faunal remains of the Khayrgas Cave (Eastern Siberia, Russia). Radiocarbon 59(2):575-582 [ER 3844]
Geography
Country: Russia
State: Yakutia (Republic of Sakha)
Coordinate: 60° 56' N, 117° 28' E
Latlng basis: stated in text
Time interval: Late Pleistocene
Section: 3844
Unit number: 2
Unit order: above to below
Max Ma: 0.01366
Min Ma: 0.01315
Age basis: radiocarbon (uncalibrated)
Geography comments: "Khayrgas Cave is located in the Middle Lena region of Yakutia (i.e. the Republic of Sakha) in the central part of eastern Siberia".
Five radiocarbon dates on bone from Layer 5 of the 1998–1999 pit range from 13, 660 ± 140 to 13, 150 ± 150 BP.
Five radiocarbon dates on bone from Layer 5 of the 1998–1999 pit range from 13, 660 ± 140 to 13, 150 ± 150 BP.
Environment
Lithology: not described
Taphonomic context: bird accumulation, carnivore accumulation, cave, human accumulation
Archaeology: bone tools, stone tools, other artifacts
Habitat comments: "Bone accumulation in the Khayrgas Cave was most likely due to the activity of predatory mammals (cave lion, wolf, red fox, ermine), birds of prey (eagle-owl), and humans".
"In Layer 5, 522 stone artifacts and more than 75 bone artifacts were recovered (including adornments). Several cores (wedge-shaped, flattened, and prismatic) were found, as well as tools including burins, arrowheads, scrapers, points, knives, and insets. Bone tools are represented by a smoother, beads, awls, points, pendants, arrowheads, fish hooks, and a harpoon".
"In Layer 5, 522 stone artifacts and more than 75 bone artifacts were recovered (including adornments). Several cores (wedge-shaped, flattened, and prismatic) were found, as well as tools including burins, arrowheads, scrapers, points, knives, and insets. Bone tools are represented by a smoother, beads, awls, points, pendants, arrowheads, fish hooks, and a harpoon".
Methods
Life forms: carnivores, ungulates, other small mammals, birds
Sampling methods: quarry
Sample size: 46 specimens
Years: 1998 - 1999
Net or trap nights: 0
Basal area status: not applicable
Sampling comments: "Khayrgas Cave was found and initially excavated in 1984–1985, and was continued in 1998–1999, with a total of 103 m2 unearthed. About 17, 000 bones have been found at the site in total, although only a small fraction (6%) can be identified".
The species counts below pertain to the identified remains uncovered from Layer 5 of the 1998–1999 excavation pit. The remains from the 1985 pit are omitted as there is evidence suggesting a high degree of intermixing between layers.
The species counts below pertain to the identified remains uncovered from Layer 5 of the 1998–1999 excavation pit. The remains from the 1985 pit are omitted as there is evidence suggesting a high degree of intermixing between layers.
Metadata
Sample no: 4202
Contributor no: Benjamin Carter
Enterer: Benjamin Carter
Created: 2023-04-07 13:07:37
Modified: 2023-05-30 06:29:55
Abundance distribution
Each square represents a species. Square sizes are proportional to counts. Values are logged.
Statistics
8 species
3 singletons
total count 46
geometric series index: 18.9
Fisher's α: 2.799
geometric series k: 0.6095
Hurlbert's PIE: 0.4879
Shannon's H: 1.1652
Good's u: 0.9367
Register
| Lepus timidus (mountain hare) | 1 | |
| Canis lupus (gray wolf) | 2 | 43.0 kg |
| †Panthera spelaea (cave lion) | 2 | |
| Rangifer tarandus (reindeer) | 32 | 69.0 kg |
| Saiga tatarica (saiga antelope) | 1 | |
| Ovis nivicola (snow sheep) | 1 | |
| Equus ferus lenensis (wild horse) | 3 | |
| Aves indet. | 4 | |