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E.V. Chernikov (Khabarovsk) – Chertovo Pleso Petroglyphs on the Kiya River (Khabarovsk krai): Geomorphological and Archaeological Aspects

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Abstract

The petroglyphs of Lower Amur region are the range of Northeast Asia rock art sites; the basis of their repertoire contains anthropomorphic masks and zoomorphic images are made in a consistent technical and stylistic manner. In the low fl oodplain of the Amur, Ussuri and Kiya rivers, which are fl ooded during the high-water periods, there are clusters of ancient images carved on steep basalt cliff s and separately lying basalt boulders. The largest of these sites is the location near the national Nanai village of Sikachi-Alyan with more than 400 images. Petroglyphs of the Chertovo Pleso place on the Kiya River are represented by a comparatively small number of them – only 40 images. They are made on rock outcrops of the above fl ood-plain basalt terrace up to 9 m. On the space above the terrace above the petroglyph, on 2.4 hectares area, there is a large ancient settlement. In 2021, archaeological reconnaissance was carried out in the vicinity of Chertovo Pleso. Previously unknown rock images were discovered and documented. The data on the settlement located near the petroglyphs site was clarified and the several new ones were discovered at a short distance from it. During the 2022–2024 archaeological excavations was researched the scree slope at the foot of the rock with petroglyphs and a section of the fl oodplain terrace near the petroglyph images cluster. Two horizons of habitation were identified, which are diff erent in the nature of activity and residence preferences. The first habitation horizon is due to episodic short-term sites on the river bank at the foot of basalt rock; this horizon is represented by the final Neolithic of the Amur region. The second one is due to stationary residence on the surface of the fl oodplain terrace in the Early Iron Age and Early Middle Ages. The publication attempts to correlate research materials from previous years with data obtained in recent years in connection with rock art images.

Keywords

Northeast Asia, Kiya river, Lower Amur region, petroglyphs, Neolithic, Early Iron Age, Early Middle Ages.

Evgeniy V. Chernikov

Khabarovsk Regional Center of the Historical and Cultural Sites Protection, Khabarovsk, Russia

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