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5. 4th and 5th seasons of the Nubian Expedition of the Research Institute and Museum of Anthropology, Lomonosov MSU at the Sites of Deraheib and Onib (Republic of the Sudan). Part I. Stone Age Sites’ Survey at the Onib Depression

4th and 5th seasons of the Nubian Expedition of the Research Institute and Museum of Anthropology, Lomonosov MSU at the Sites of Deraheib and Onib (Republic of the Sudan). Part I. Stone Age Sites’ Survey at the Onib Depression

Krol A.A. (1, 2), Simonenko A.A. (3, 4), Tsyganov A.N. (5), Petrova N.Yu. (3), Ershova V.B. (7, 8), Kandinov M.N. (1), Mazei N.G. (5, 6), Pastukhova J.A. (5), Chulei A.D. (5), Mazei Y.A. (5)

1) Lomonosov Moscow State University, Anuchin Research Institute and Museum of Anthropology, Mokhovaya st., 11, Moscow, 125009, Russia 2) Paleoethnology Research Center, Novaja Ploshchad, 12, 5, Moscow, 109012, Russia 3) Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ulyanova str., 19, Moscow, 117292, Russia 4) State Historical Museum, Red Square, 1, Moscow, 109012, Russia 5) Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Biology, Leninskie Gory str., 1, build. 12, Moscow, 119234, Russia 6) Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography, Leninskie Gory str., 1, Moscow, 119991, Russia 7) Institute of Earth Science, St. Petersburg State University, 7/9 Universitetskaya Nab., 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia 8) Geological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, 7 Pyzhevski Lane, 109017 Moscow, Russia

Krol Alexei A., PhD; ORCID ID: 0000-0002-5601-2890; alexikrol@mail.ru; Simonenko Anton A.,ORCID ID: 0000-0001-8194-9127; simonenkoaa@shm.ru; Tsyganov Andrey N., PhD; ORCID ID0000-0002-5660-8432; andrey.tsyganov@bk.ru; Petrova Natalia Yu., PhDORCID ID: 0000-0002-9112-1160; petrovanatalya7@mail.ru; Ershova Victoria B., PhD; ORCID ID: 0000-0002-9661-1708; v.ershova@spbu.ru; Kandinov Mikhail N., PhD; ORCID ID: 0000-0001-8095-0978; kmn_49@mail.ru; Mazei Natalia G., PhD; ORCID ID: 0000-0002-4759-8703; natashamazei@mail.ru; Pastukhova Yuliya A., PhD-student, ORCID ID: 0000-0001-8815-3236; yuliya.pastukhova.98@mail.ru; Chulei Artemii D., PhD-student, ORCID ID: ORCID: 0000-0003-3592-9576.; artem957148@yandex.ru; Mazei Yuri A., professor, DSc., ORCID ID: 0000-0002-5443-8919; yurimazei@mail.ru

Abstract

Introduction. The Nubian expedition of the Lomonosov MSU carried out survey in the Onib Depression in December 2022. The survey revealed several surface scatters and two stone age sites Onib-1 and Onib-Outcrop. Materials and methods. The materials for the article were artifacts (stone tools and debitage, fragments of ceramics) discovered at the surface scatters and sites as well as samples for OSL dating, loss-on-ignition and pollen analysis taken from sites. For comparison, we used stone tools discovered by the Nubian expedition of the USSR Academy of Sciences in 1961-1963. The artifacts found at the sites were documented (marked on a map, photographed and described). Several samples for OSL dating were taken at both sites. Sample preparation and gamma spectrometry, as well as OSL measurements, were conducted by standard methods. Analysis of the decoration of ceramic fragments found at the Onib-1 site was carried out. Also, based on the prepared thin sections, a technological and petroglyphic analyses of the obtained fragments were carried out. Samples were taken from different layers of the sites Onib-1 and Onib-Outcrop to determine the content of organic residues and spore-pollen analysis. Sample preparation and analysis were carried out following the standard procedures. Results and Discussion. Analysis of the finds made at the sites indicates that the entire Wadi al-Allaqi region from the Red Sea Mountains to the Nile Valley was inhabited during the Neolithic period. OSL dating for Onib-1 and Onib-Outcrop sites indicates that the sedimentary deposits were formed during the Neolithic Subpluvial. These data are also confirmed by the results of ceramic analysis. The layers in which the ceramic fragments were found can be dated back to the 3rd millennium BC. Petrographic analysis of thin sections of ceramics from Onib-1 site indicates the use of local material for the manufacturing of ceramics. The results of loss on ignition analysis did not reveal a sufficient content of organic residues for a comprehensive paleoecological study that overall indicates unfavorable conditions for the accumulation of organic matter in the studied deposits. Conclusion. The results obtained indicate high prospects of continuing field research in the Onib Depression aimed at discovering and excavating Neolithic sites. @ 2023. This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 license

Keywords

Sudan; Wadi al-Allaqi; Deraheib; Onib Depression; Nubian Middle Stone Age; Neolithic period

DOI: 10.32521/2074-8132.2023.4.132-149

Цит.: Krol A.A., Simonenko A.A., Tsyganov A.N., Petrova N.Yu., Ershova V.B., Kandinov M.N., Mazei N.G., Pastukhova J.A., Chulei A.D., Mazei Y.A. 4th and 5th seasons of the Nubian Expedition of the Research Institute and Museum of Anthropology, Lomonosov MSU at the Sites of Deraheib and Onib (Republic of the Sudan). Part I. Stone Age Sites’ Survey at the Onib Depression // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2023; 4/2023; с. 132-149 (Published: November 20 2023)