- •Preface
- •Contents
- •Contributors
- •1 Introduction: Azokh Cave and the Transcaucasian Corridor
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •History of Excavations at Azokh Caves
- •Excavations 1960–1988
- •Excavations 2002–2009
- •Field Seasons
- •2002 (23rd August–19th September)
- •2003 (4th–31st August)
- •2004 (28th July–6th August)
- •2005 (26th July–12th August)
- •2006 (30th July–23rd August)
- •2007 (9th July–4th August)
- •2008 (8th July–14th August)
- •2009 (17th July–12th August)
- •Correlating Huseinov’s Layers to Our Units
- •Chapters of This Book
- •Acknowledgments
- •References
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Azokh 1
- •Sediment Sequence 1
- •Sediment Sequence 2
- •Discussion on the Stratigraphy of Azokh 1
- •Azokh 2
- •Azokh 5
- •Discussion on the Stratigraphy of Azokh 5
- •Conclusions
- •Acknowledgments
- •References
- •3 Geology and Geomorphology of Azokh Caves
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Geological Background
- •Geomorphology of Azokh Cave
- •Results of the Topographic Survey
- •Azokh 1: Main Entrance Passageway
- •Azokh 2, 3 and 4: Blind Passages
- •Azokh 5: A Recently Discovered Connection to the Inner Chambers
- •Azokh 6: Vacas Passageway
- •Azokh I: The Stalagmite Gallery
- •Azokh II: The Sugar-Mound Gallery
- •Azokh III: The Apron Gallery
- •Azokh IV: The Hall Gallery
- •Results of the Geophysical Survey
- •Discussion
- •Conclusions
- •Acknowledgments
- •References
- •4 Lithic Assemblages Recovered from Azokh 1
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Methods of Analysis
- •Results
- •Unit Vm: Lithic Assemblage
- •Unit III: Lithic Assemblage
- •Unit II: Lithic Assemblage
- •Post-Depositional Evidence
- •Discussion of the Lithic Assemblages
- •Comparison of Assemblages from the Earlier and Current Excavations
- •Chronology
- •Conclusions
- •Acknowledgements
- •References
- •5 Azokh Cave Hominin Remains
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Hominin Mandibular Fragment from Azokh 1
- •Discussion of Early Work on the Azokh Mandible
- •New Assessment of the Azokh Mandibular Remains Based on a Replica of the Specimen
- •Discussion, Azokh Mandible
- •Neanderthal Remains from Azokh 1
- •Description of the Isolated Tooth from Azokh Cave (E52-no. 69)
- •Hominin Remains from Azokh 2
- •Human Remains from Azokh 5
- •Conclusions
- •Acknowledgements
- •References
- •6 The New Material of Large Mammals from Azokh and Comments on the Older Collections
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Materials and Methods
- •General Discussion and Conclusions
- •Acknowledgements
- •References
- •7 Rodents, Lagomorphs and Insectivores from Azokh Cave
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Materials and Methods
- •Results
- •Unit Vm
- •Unit Vu
- •Unit III
- •Unit II
- •Unit I
- •Discussion
- •Conclusions
- •Acknowledgments
- •8 Bats from Azokh Caves
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Materials and Methods
- •Results
- •Discussion
- •Conclusions
- •Acknowledgements
- •References
- •9 Amphibians and Squamate Reptiles from Azokh 1
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Materials and Methods
- •Systematic Descriptions
- •Paleobiogeographical Data
- •Conclusions
- •Acknowledgements
- •References
- •10 Taphonomy and Site Formation of Azokh 1
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Taphonomic Agents
- •Materials and Methods
- •Shape, Size and Fracture
- •Surface Modification Related to Breakage
- •Tool-Induced Surface Modifications
- •Tooth Marks
- •Other Surface Modifications
- •Histology
- •Results
- •Skeletal Element Representation
- •Fossil Size, Shape and Density
- •Surface Modifications
- •Discussion
- •Presence of Humans in Azokh 1 Cave
- •Carnivore Damage
- •Post-Depositional Damage
- •Acknowledgements
- •Supplementary Information
- •References
- •11 Bone Diagenesis at Azokh Caves
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Porosity as a Diagenetic Indicator
- •Bone Diagenesis at Azokh Caves
- •Materials Analyzed
- •Methods
- •Diagenetic Parameters
- •% ‘Collagen’
- •Results and Discussion
- •Azokh 1 Units II–III
- •Azokh 1 Unit Vm
- •Azokh 2
- •Prospects for Molecular Preservation
- •Conclusions
- •Acknowledgements
- •References
- •12 Coprolites, Paleogenomics and Bone Content Analysis
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Materials and Methods
- •Coprolite/Scat Morphometry
- •Bone Observations
- •Chemical Analysis of the Coprolites
- •Paleogenetics and Paleogenomics
- •Results
- •Bone and Coprolite Morphometry
- •Paleogenetic Analysis of the Coprolite
- •Discussion
- •Bone and Coprolite Morphometry
- •Chemical Analyses of the Coprolites
- •Conclusions
- •Acknowledgements
- •References
- •13 Palaeoenvironmental Context of Coprolites and Plant Microfossils from Unit II. Azokh 1
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Environment Around the Cave
- •Materials and Methods
- •Pollen, Phytolith and Diatom Extraction
- •Criteria for the Identification of Phytolith Types
- •Results
- •Diatoms
- •Phytoliths
- •Pollen and Other Microfossils
- •Discussion
- •Conclusions
- •Acknowledgments
- •References
- •14 Charcoal Remains from Azokh 1 Cave: Preliminary Results
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Materials and Methods
- •Results
- •Conclusions
- •Acknowledgments
- •References
- •15 Paleoecology of Azokh 1
- •Abstract
- •Introduction
- •Materials and Methods
- •Habitat Weightings
- •Calculation of Taxonomic Habitat Index (THI)
- •Faunal Bias
- •Results
- •Taphonomy
- •Paleoecology
- •Discussion
- •Evidence for Woodland
- •Evidence for Steppe
- •Conclusions
- •Acknowledgments
- •Species List Tables
- •References
- •16 Appendix: Dating Methods Applied to Azokh Cave Sites
- •Abstract
- •Radiocarbon
- •Uranium Series
- •Amino-acid Racemization
- •Radiocarbon Dating of Samples from the Azokh Cave Complex (Peter Ditchfield)
- •Pretreatment and Measurement
- •Calibration
- •Results and Discussion
- •Introduction
- •Material and Methods
- •Results
- •Conclusions
- •Introduction
- •Laser-ablation Pre-screening
- •Sample Preparation and Measurement
- •Results
- •Conclusions
- •References
- •Index
Chapter 5
Azokh Cave Hominin Remains
Tania King, Tim Compton, Antonio Rosas, Peter Andrews, Levon Yepiskoposyan, and Lena Asryan
Abstract Hominin remains have been discovered at Azokh |
specimen is similar to European Middle Pleistocene |
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Cave from three different entrance passageways during the |
hominins, and we assign it tentatively to Homo heidelber- |
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early and present phases of excavation. Evidence for three |
genis. A complete permanent first upper left molar tooth was |
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different species of hominin – Homo heidelbergensis, Homo |
found higher in the Azokh 1 sequence by the present |
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neanderthalensis, and Homo sapiens – has been found at |
excavation team. Preliminary description and metric analy- |
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Azokh Cave. A fragment of hominin mandible was found in |
ses of the tooth indicate the specimen is typical of |
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Azokh 1 in 1968. Previous studies, published in Russian and |
Neanderthal first upper molars and is most similar to |
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summarized here, suggest this specimen is most similar to |
Neanderthal specimens from Krapina, Croatia. A partial |
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the Ehringsdorf (adult) specimen which may now be |
skeleton and two teeth of modern Homo sapiens have been |
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considered as an early Neanderthal. An original assessment |
found in Azokh 2 by the current excavation team, and |
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of a replica of the mandible carried out here indicates the |
evidence suggests death was accidental. Eight modern Homo |
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sapiens teeth, discovered in Azokh 5 and thought to |
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represent a minimum of three individuals (a child, a juvenile |
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and an adolescent), are described here. |
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T. King (&) |
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Blandford Town Museum, Bere’s Yard, Blandford, Dorset, |
Резюме В данной главе рассматриваются останки гоми- |
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DT11 7AZ, UK |
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нид, обнаруженные в трех различных входных камерах |
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e-mail: taniacking@gmail.com |
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Азохской пещеры в течение предшествующего и совре- |
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T. Compton L. Yepiskoposyan |
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менного этапов |
раскопок. К настоящему времени на |
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Institute of Molecular Biology, National Academy of Sciences, |
стоянке выявлены свидетельства присутствия трех |
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Yerevan, Armenia |
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e-mail: tim.compton10@btinternet.com |
различных видов гоминид – Homo heidelbergensis, Homo |
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L. Yepiskoposyan |
neanderthalensis и Homo sapiens. В Азох 1 фрагмент |
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e-mail: lepiskop@yahoo.com |
нижней челюсти гоминида был найден предшествующей |
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A. Rosas |
группой исследователей в период раскопок, проводимых |
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Paleoanthropology Group, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales |
в 1960-х |
гг. |
Есть |
неопределенность относительно |
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(CSIC), C/José Gutiérrez Abascal, 28006 Madrid, Spain |
возраста находки, которая была обнаружена в отло- |
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e-mail: arosas@mncn.csic.es |
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жениях 250–400-тысячелетней давности. Образец пред- |
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P. Andrews |
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ставляет |
собой |
фрагмент правой половины нижней |
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Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, |
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челюсти и содержит полностью сохранившийся третий |
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SW7 5BD, UK |
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моляр. Результаты предыдущих исследований, опублико- |
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e-mail: pjandrews@uwclub.net |
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L. Asryan |
ванные на русском языке, обобщены в данном разделе. |
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Находка имеет наибольшее сходство с образцом (взрослая |
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Àrea de Prehistòria, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), Avinguda |
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de Catalunya 35, 43002 Tarragona, Spain |
особь) из |
Эрингсдорфа и может представлять собой |
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e-mail: lenaprehistoria@gmail.com |
локальный вариант того же вида. Мы провели тщательную |
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IPHES, Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució |
экспертизу реплики данного фрагмента, которая показала, |
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Social, Zona Educacional 4, Campus Sescelades URV |
что находка хорошо |
вписывается в морфологические |
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(Edifici W3), 43007 Tarragona, Spain |
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and |
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Artsakh State University, M. Gosh 5, Stepanakert, |
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Nagorno-Karabakh |
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© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2016 |
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Yolanda Fernández-Jalvo et al. (eds.), Azokh Cave and the Transcaucasian Corridor, |
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Vertebrate Paleobiology and Paleoanthropology, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-24924-7_5 |
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