Khayrgas Cave - Layer 6 (1998-1999 pit)
Basic information
Sample name: Khayrgas Cave - Layer 6 (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: 59° 56' N, 117° 28' E
Coordinate basis: stated in text
Time interval: Late Pleistocene
Section: 3844
Unit number: 3
Unit order: above to below
Ma: 0.016
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".
A single radiocarbon date on bone dates Layer 6 to around 16,000 ± 200 BP.
A single radiocarbon date on bone dates Layer 6 to around 16,000 ± 200 BP.
Environment
Lithology: not described
Taphonomic context: cave,bird accumulation,carnivore accumulation,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 6, 1203 stone artifacts and 59 bone items were found. Cores (conical, flat-faced, and wedge-shaped), retouched blades, and scrapers constitute the stone tool assemblage. Bone tools are represented by arrowheads, harpoons, pendants, and items with grooves for stone insets".
"In Layer 6, 1203 stone artifacts and 59 bone items were found. Cores (conical, flat-faced, and wedge-shaped), retouched blades, and scrapers constitute the stone tool assemblage. Bone tools are represented by arrowheads, harpoons, pendants, and items with grooves for stone insets".
Methods
Life forms: bats,carnivores,rodents,ungulates,other small mammals,birds,fishes
Sampling methods: quarry
Sample size: 32 specimens
Years: 1998 - 1999
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 6 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 6 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 number: 4203
Contributor: Benjamin Carter
Enterer: Benjamin Carter
Modifier no: John Alroy
Created: 2023-04-07 13:17:08
Modified: 2024-11-08 05:45:53
Abundance distribution
14 species
9 singletons
total count 32
geometric series index: 55.5
Fisher's α: 9.490
geometric series k: 0.8377
Hurlbert's PIE: 0.8427
Shannon's H: 2.2454
Good's u: 0.7208
Each square represents a species. Square sizes are proportional to counts.
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Register
| Lepus timidus | 3 | |
| Microtus sp. | 1 | |
| Vulpes lagopus | 1 | 3.3 kg |
| Ursus arctos | 1 | 156 kg frugivore-carnivore |
| Martes zibellina | 1 | |
| Mustela erminea | 1 | 121 g |
| Cervus elaphus | 1 | 142 kg browser-grazer |
| Rangifer tarandus | 3 | 69 kg browser |
| Ovis nivicola | 1 | |
| Equus ferus lenensis | 2 | 422 kg |
| †Coelodonta antiquitatis | 1 | |
| Aves indet. | 5 | |
| Pisces indet. | 10 | |
| Chiroptera indet. | 1 |