ИСТИНА

In the course of this study analysis of lithic technology of three late eastern gravettian sites has been conducted: Zaraysk (A and B), Khotylevo II (A and B) and Gagarino. All these sites belong to the late gravettian stage, sometimes referred to as Willindorf-Kostionkian. While Zaraysk belongs to Kostyonki-Avdeevo culture, the estimation of extent of similarity between the latter and Gagarino and Khotylevo 2 still stays problematic. The study of lithic technology shows that the method of big and medium-sized blades production is quite similar on these sites: intensive perform preparation, often bifacial, unipolar as well as bipolar blade production, the half-circular knapping rhythm, the method of preparation of impact point with platform isolation and releasing, the maintenance of the angle de chasse with oblique flaking. For all studied sites organic percussion (antler or wood) is the technique almost exclusively used for blade and bladelet production. However, the method of bladelet production and the economy of debitage products shows significant difference between studied sites. This allows to assume that the similarity in blade production is due to close chronological position within gravettian techno-complex while the distinction in bladelet production and the economy of products of debitage reflects the cultural diversity.